The Goddess and the Rogue King's Curse

2 - The girl at the gate

Killian

The obsidian gates of Balorien groan open, not with hinges but with magic—old, blood-bound, and reluctant. Mist curls through the trees like fingers, parting only for those I allow. It’s been a while since we had visitors. I don’t allow anyone to enter my kingdom because most mean to harm my people.

Clocked in magic and hidden from the outside world, the kingdom of Balorien is a wonder to behold. It took me a decade to build this place up from nothing but the ruins I found here. Now, we have a small, thriving town, hundreds of houses, and an underground tunnel system that leads us to the outside world.

Only a dozen of my most trusted are allowed to leave this place. They only do so to collect supplies for our people. Yes, we grow our own fruit and vegetables, and we have a farm where we slaughter our own animals for meat. However, there are things we need that we cannot obtain ourselves. I try not to use my magic if I can help it. Most of my resources go into keeping this place hidden.

The previous Lycan King knows about us. I’ve even met with him once or twice. I gave him my word that my people meant no harm. We just wanted to live in peace. As most Rogues are killed on sight, I had wondered if the Lycan King would attack. He wouldn’t have gotten through the barrier, but I didn’t want him to even try. He does not own this land in which my kingdom stands. It was abandoned outside of Lykos, free for me to take as my own.

He regarded me momentarily before stating he would give me one chance. One chance to prove my people would never enter his kingdom or attack his people. The first one who did would be killed on the spot before he would come for me.

When Thane Knight handed his throne to his son Sebastian, that rule still applied. Never have my people gone against me. That’s not to say some Rogues didn’t, but the Lycan King would always know if those Rogues came from Balorien or not. He would because every pack member is branded with a star on their wrist. I use magic to do so. It was the only way the Lycan King could differentiate us from others.

That’s not to say I’m not on my guard every hour of every day. One never knows when the Lycan King might go back on his word. To be honest, I was shocked he even agreed to this place existing. But he did, and I swore an oath that my kingdom would never come into contact with his.

I’ve kept my word for ten years. There have never been any incidents with my people attacking anyone in Lykos.

That’s not to say I don’t know anyone from Lykos. I do. Many people. However, only a handful have ever been granted access to Balorien. I take the safety of my people incredibly seriously. Letting outsiders in could mean trouble, and my kingdom tries to live in peace. That’s not to say we don’t have problems of our own. We do.

Who the hell doesn’t?

Right now, I’m standing at the top of the mansion steps, my cloak billowing in the wind, my mask gleaming like a predator’s grin. The silver filigree catches the light, but it’s the jagged edge over my right cheek that draws the eye—where the material curves to hide the scars that had nearly ended me.

Todd, my Beta, appears at my side, breathless. “They’re here. Kyan and Steele West. They brought someone.”

I don’t move. “They crossed the border?”

He nods. “They’re asking to see you.”

I have known Steele and Kyan West for many years. They were the ones who put a good word in for me with Thane Knight all those years ago. Their maternal uncle, Alpha of the Wild Pack, is mated to Thane’s sister.

Steele and Kyan come here now and again, wanting favors or bringing supplies to the pack. A few years ago, Steele saved one of my Lycanesses from an attack by a wild Rogue. He brought her home unharmed, and I swore that if he ever needed anything, I’d be there. He asked me for one thing, but I was skeptical about giving it to him. I relented because I owed him. If he’s brought someone with him, then he has finally used it.

This cannot be good.

“They’re at the gate?” I ask.

My Beta nods again. “The wards held. They can’t enter without your word.”

I shouldn’t let them in if they’ve brought someone with them. I have rules for a reason. However, my curiosity had been piqued. My voice is low, commanding. “Then give it.”

The air shimmers, the veil splits, and the forest opens like a wound. Two figures step through—Kyan, tall and built, and Steele, a little taller than his brother, but no less built. Steele drags a girl behind him. She stumbles, her feet bare, her skin pale as moonlight. Her hair hangs in damp ropes, and her eyes—when they lift—are defiant despite the tremble in her limbs.

I descend the steps slowly, each footfall deliberate. The courtyard is silent save for the rustle of leaves and the distant hum of the wards reweaving themselves.

“What brings you two here? And what is this?” I ask, voice like stone.

Steele yanks the girl closer. “A problem. Or a gift. Depends on your mood.”

“Get to the point, Steele. Why have you brought this woman here? You know how I feel about outsiders.”

“She tried to kill Kyan’s mate,” Steele scoffs. “A pathetic human with a death wish.”

Kyan steps forward, his expression unreadable. “She’s not just a human.”

“Kyan!” Steele hisses.

“I can’t lie, Steele. She’s done bad things, but she doesn’t deserve to…” He sighs while shaking his head. “Her name is Grace.”

My eyes narrow. “Grace? Is she the one you begged my elixir for?”

Steele nods. “She’s Triton’s daughter. But now… she’s nothing. No Siren. No Lycan. No Dragon. No Goddess. Just flesh and fury.”

“Are you insane?!” I bellow. “You gave Triton’s daughter my elixir? You stripped her of everything she was?”

“No!” Kyan yells. “I’m not insane, but she is!” He points to Grace. “She kidnapped my pregnant mate and locked her up. Goddess only knows what she would have done to Whitney if we hadn’t shown up and stopped her.”

I furrow my brow. “Isn’t this the girl you had a relationship with for four years?”

Kyan sighs. “Yes. But there was nothing sexua.l about our relationship. I loved her, but I fell in love with my mate. Look, this isn’t the point, Killian.”

“Then what is?” I hiss between gritted teeth.

I cannot believe these fools could be so stupid!

Triton’s daughter of all people!

Do they not care what will happen to them when Triton finds out what they’ve done?

“We need her to stay here for a while,” Steele tells me. “We need her hidden for the next three months. Just until the potion wears off.”

I study the girl, the way her hands tremble even as she clenches them into fists. The way her eyes burn with something ancient and wild.

“You want me to keep her?” I ask.

“For three months,” Kyan says. “Until we figure out what to do.”

My gaze flicks to Steele. “And when her power returns? When she remembers what she is?”

Steele shrugs. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

My smile is slow, cruel. “You won’t have a bridge left. Once her powers return, she will kill you. You know that.”

“She needs to learn,” Steele says. “She thinks she’s untouchable. Teach her she’s not. Teach her that she can’t hurt people just to get what she wants.”

I turn back to Grace. “And if I break her?”

“She won’t be the same,” Kyan says. “But maybe that’s what she needs.”

“How can you be so cruel?” Todd snaps. “You loved her once. I get it, she kidnapped your mate, but by the sound of it, she didn’t hurt her. You hurt the girl. Don’t you know that a woman with a broken heart is more dangerous than an army of men with mass weapons?”

Steele rolls his eyes. “You don’t know Grace and what she’s capable of. This woman is beyond insane. Nothing bothers her, and she doesn’t care who she hurts. We know what’s coming our way when she regains her powers. But I hope by then, she’ll have calmed down. We’re doing this for her own good and the good of everyone we care about.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” Todd huffs.

“You’re not afraid of Triton?” I ask with a mocking smirk.

Kyan looks at Steele, who then looks at me. “That doesn’t matter. Just teach Grace some manners. We’ll deal with the rest. She won’t be able to call for her family, and they won’t be able to locate her. You saw to that when you made that elixir.”

“I made that elixir to hide pack members who were running from those who sought to harm them. It took their powers and their Lycans for a short time. Just until I had found those pigs and dealt with them! Never have I used so much that it would take three months to regain who they were.”

“Are you going to help us or not?” Kyan sighs.

“You’re putting my people in danger with this. Why should I help you when it means risking the lives of hundreds?”

“Nothing will come back on you, Killian.”

“How can you say that, Steele? Once Grace regains her powers, she’ll tell her father who kept her prisoner for three months!”

Steele shakes his head. “As far as anyone will know, you took in a strange woman and kept her safe.”

I shake my head because this man is a fool!

However, I can’t deny that having Grace Tritonsdaughter here for a while will give me the chance to get to know her. She doesn’t remember me, but I remember her.

“Fine.” I sigh.

“Killian, have you lost your mind?” I widen my eyes at Todd, who swallows hard before nodding. This is not his decision. I make the rules here!

“Just so you know,” I look at Steele as he tells me, “I shot her with an arrow. It was laced with the elixir. I’ve cleaned the wound, but she may need looking at to make sure she doesn’t get an infection.”

“You shot her?”

“How else was I supposed to get the potion into her body? It’s not like I could have walked up to her and asked her to drink it, Killian!” Steele snaps.

Steele steps forward and shoves Grace toward Todd. She stumbles, catches herself, and then turns to face the brothers. She sways a little, and Todd catches her before she collapses, his grip firm but not cruel. Grace flinches, then straightens, chin lifted in an almost regal gesture.

“You think you can leave me here and walk away?” She hisses. “You’ll be dead before the moon turns. I will never forget this.”

Kyan’s jaw tightens.

Steele doesn’t flinch. “We’re counting on it.”

“I’m sorry, Grace.” Kyan sighs. “I didn’t want to do this, but you gave me no choice. I hope you can forgive me one day.”

“I will never forgive you!” She screams. “I will kill you, Kyan West, you mark my words!”

Without another word, the brothers turn and walk away, the forest swallowing them whole. The wards bend and seal themselves once more.

Grace is all mine now, and there is no chance for her to escape me.

I step closer, my presence suffocating, but Grace lifts her eyes to meet mine in defiance. “You’ve walked into a fate worse than hell, girl. And I’m going to enjoy breaking you.”

Grace chuckles, her voice a whisper of steel. “Not if I break you first.”

My smirk fades into something darker. Something hungry.

“This is going to be fun,” I murmur.

Todd clears his throat. “Shall I take her to the east wing?”

I shake my head. “Not yet. Take her to the hospital wing and have Gordon check her over. Once he gives her a clean bill of health, take her to the east wing. Make sure to lock the doors. Ward the windows. Let the wing feel her.”

Grace doesn’t resist as Todd leads her away, but her eyes never leave mine. Not once.

Does she recognize me?

Sure, I wear a mask now, but perhaps she remembers my eyes. But if she does, she says nothing.

I watch her go, then turn to the gates. The mist is already closing in, the veil sealing itself once more.

Balorien has accepted her.

For now.

I linger in the courtyard long after the brothers have vanished. The wind shifts, carrying the scent of her—salt, blood, and something buried deep. Something divine.

I have kept that scent in my mind all these years. I never thought I would see Grace again, but here she is, broken, and at my mercy.

‘She’s not broken,’ Nash, my Lycan, murmurs. ‘She’s dormant. Don’t underestimate Grace, Killian. And for the love of Fenrir, treat her right. If you hurt her, I’ll kill you!’

I roll my eyes. ‘You can’t kill me, you fool.’

‘No, but I can hurt you. Don’t test me!’

I cut him off because I don’t need Nash having a tantrum right now.

I turn and walk back into the mansion, the doors closing behind me with a hiss of magic. The hallways darken as I pass, torches dimming in deference. In my private chamber, I approach the scrying mirror mounted above the hearth. It shimmers, then reveals Grace in the east wing—standing in silence, staring at the walls as if they might speak.

I watch her, arms folded.

‘She’s dangerous,’ Todd had said earlier when he mind-linked to let me know how it went at the hospital. ‘Unpredictable.’

I had only nodded in thought. I know danger. I have built a kingdom out of it.

But Grace is something else. Not just a threat. Not just a girl.

She is a reckoning.

And now, she’s mine.