Kingdom of the Cursed (Kingdom of the Wicked Book 2)

“I’m sorry,” I whispered to the empty room. Smoke hung in the air several long moments after Wrath left. I stared at it, eyes burning, wishing I could cast a spell to reverse time. It would be so much easier to simply forget what had happened. Or, better yet, forget the truth of his name. His title. And the way my heart ached at the thought of any or everything between us being part of some larger game.

I leaned a hip against a table, surveying the mess on the floor. It seemed a fitting metaphor of my life. Each time I thought I was closing in on the truth surrounding my twin’s murder, something new got added to the heap, distracting me with more trash to pick through.

Thanks to the curse being sentient and having an active role in keeping its secrets, it was nearly impossible to fit the puzzle pieces together.

An old worry crept back in. I’d started to think I’d been experiencing forgotten memories, usually after or during some romantic encounters with Wrath.

If I wasn’t the consort, was I the First Witch? I’d been almost convinced the Matron of Curses and Poisons was the First Witch, but now that seemed less likely. I couldn’t imagine Wrath keeping her around, knowing that she’d stolen his wings.

Was locating the First Witch the true reason behind the murders? It would make sense for someone to try and find her and make her pay for all she’d stolen. And if every prince of Hell lost their wings, or something as precious, then it could be any one of them.

If I was the First Witch, it would also make sense why Wrath had hated me the night I’d summoned him. He’d called me a creature then, swearing he’d never be tempted by me when I’d mistakenly believed demon bargains were sealed with addictive kisses.

“Congratulations, Emilia,” I scoffed. “You have fully given into madness. And paranoia.”

Speaking out loud to myself wasn’t helping to soothe worries of growing madness. I almost cackled at the thought. Maybe I was losing all sense of reality.

Perhaps there was a tonic I could take to rid all memories and foolish thoughts from my mind. Wipe the slate clean and begin anew.

I snorted. It was preposterous and… and entirely possible. There was someone in this castle who was gifted with creating tonics and tinctures. Someone who just might possess the skills needed to break any curse placed on me. First Witch or not, I could use her help.

I hurried to visit the Matron of Curses and Poisons, praying to every goddess I could think of that she would be in her tower.

“Daughter of the Moon.” Celestia gave me a bemused look as I rushed past her and motioned for her to close the door. “What brings you here?”

“Do you know who I am?”

It was hard to tell if her hesitation was out of concern for my well-being, or if she was treading carefully around the truth. “Yes, my lady.”

“Not my courtesy title. Have we met before?”

Now her perusal was sharper. “Have you ingested something peculiar?”

“No.” I walked in an agitated circle. “I experienced some memories that didn’t seem to belong to me at first. Now I’m not so sure. Is there a tonic you can give me? Something to detect a curse or break it?”

“Sit.” She glided over to the little table and stools she used to work. I followed and perched on the edge, knee bouncing. “Give me your hands.” I leaned over the table and did as she asked. “Sometimes forgetting can be a gift.”

I wrapped my hands around hers, thumbs resting on her wrists. “Do you speak from experience?”

“I speak as one who wishes for such a present.”

“Am I the First Witch?”

Celestia’s expression softened. “No, child.”

“Are you?”

“No.”

I released her hands and sat back. Her pulse hadn’t ticked faster for either of my questions. “I admit I’m only marginally relieved. The more I learn of her, the more she doesn’t sound like the hero of our fables.”

“Every villain thinks themselves the hero. And vice versa. In truth, there’s a little villain and hero in each of us. Depending on the circumstances.”

I glanced around the circular chamber, my attention pausing on the carved skull. “I’ve been trying to solve a riddle. About a key that doesn’t necessarily open a lock. And seven stars and sins, and the angel of death.”

“You seek the Temptation Key.” Celestia heaved a great sigh. “I can tell you this, Daughter of the Moon, you have already found it.” I whipped my attention back to her. “If I were you, I would reconsider. Once you march down this path, there is no returning from it.”

“Whoever killed my twin should have thought of that.” I stood. “Is the Temptation Key here, in House Wrath?”

“It is dangerous. Divine objects… they are not to be taken lightly.”

“But it is here.”

Celestia pressed her lips together. It was enough confirmation for me. I thought back to my conversation with Envy, when I’d mistaken his ramblings for drunkenness the night we’d had truth wine. He’d mentioned not all keys appeared the way one typically thought they did.

Blood was the key to unlocking demon magic, for example. So with that in mind, there were no limits to what might actually unlock the Triple Moon Mirror. The Temptation Key might be an elixir, for all I knew. And yet… something toyed with the edges of my memory.

If Wrath had a divine object and wanted to keep it hidden, there was no safer place than in plain sight. Wrath made the obvious questionable, casting doubt. It was the same way he’d acted when I’d first called him Samael back in Palermo.

I doubted he’d keep the Temptation Key in his bedchambers. Which led me to believe the key was in one of two places. His personal library, or the weapons room.

I stood, ready to rush off and tear them both apart if I had to.

Celestia snagged the sleeve of my gown, halting my exit. “If you do this, prepare for consequences that will be out of your control.”

“Very little is in my control now, matron. The only thing that will change is I will finally know the truth.”

Celestia dropped my arm and stepped aside. I wasted no time racing to the weapons room. I’d half-feared Wrath would be there, working off excess emotions after our conversation. It was silent, empty. I hurried through each portion, running my hands over every gold design, searching for any secret compartment or object that might be a key.

I halted in the back of the room near the serpent mosaic. Like the first time I saw it, I swore there was something familiar about it… my mind raced, searching for a memory.

“Blood and bones.” I gripped the roots of my hair and gently tugged. “Think.”

I’d seen it before. I would bet whatever was left of my soul. If only I could—

“Devious demon. You’re brilliant.” I clapped a hand over my mouth to keep from screaming in glee. “I’ve got you now.”

I stood over Wrath’s desk and picked up the serpent paperweight.

Or what I’d originally mistaken for a paperweight. Turning it over, I studied the ridges and geometric design with a different eye. It could certainly be a key. Given the shape, it would fit on top of a hand mirror nicely. And it would explain why Envy had shared this information.

Without an invitation to House Wrath, he would not be able to search the castle himself. Showing up outside in the garden for a minute or two was one thing, but strolling through Wrath’s personal library would be another. Though, knowing Wrath, he likely had the interior warded to keep his brothers out. None of that mattered.

I held the Temptation Key to my chest, feeling the first pangs of hope. I wasn’t sure why Celestia worried so much about touching a divine object. Thus far it only gave me peace. Joy. After all of the starts and stops, this was a tangible lead. A true thread to tug on. Now all I had to do was locate the Triple Moon Mirror. And, armed with the key, I had a new plan forming.

Back in my personal suite, I pulled out my notes and a pen. If I could just figure out the enchanted skulls message, I would have a direction.

~ Enchanted skulls ~

Skull one: Angelus mortis lives. Fury. Almost free. Maiden, Mother, Crone. Past, present, future, find.

Skull two: Seven stars, seven sins. As above, so below.

I tapped a quill against my lips, staring at the notes, willing the answer to manifest itself. The first skull’s message was a little clearer now. I was positive it related to the Triple Moon Mirror and its ability to see into the past, present, and future.

It was the second skull’s message that I kept getting caught on. Knowing what I did now about the seven stars being another name given to the Seven Sisters, and the fact that Envy was interested in locating them, I wondered…

I sucked in a sharp breath, distracted by a new thought. If Wrath kept the Temptation Key in plain sight, then maybe he’d done the same thing with the Triple Moon Mirror. Maybe he couldn’t tell me anything about the curse, but he’d tried to help in a subtler way.

The case Envy had would fit a hand mirror. One such mirror had been gifted to me before I’d left for House Envy. Hope had me clutching the key and racing into my bathing chamber, pulling out the gorgeous mirror from where I’d kept it in the vanity. I’d admired the etching on the back before, but hadn’t considered it might be more than a pretty design.

Excitement filling my chest, I placed the Temptation Key on the back of the mirror and twisted. Or tried to. Finding the correct alignment was difficult. I shifted it a few more ways, tried several directions. I flipped the key over and studied the raised lines. Some of the excitement dissipated. They didn’t look like a match, but I didn’t want to give up just yet.

After trying every way I could to fit the two objects together, I finally accepted the fact that the pieces did not match.

I trudged back into my bedchamber and plopped back onto the bed, rereading the notes. What I needed to do next was find the Seven Sisters and ask if they knew where the Triple Moon Mirror was. The skulls had to be the key to figuring that out, if only I could solve their riddles.

Seven stars, seven sins. As above, so below.

I inhaled and exhaled, emptying frustration and previous theories from my mind. The Crone had said something I’d only partially paid attention to. I concentrated on that conversation, her words slowly coming back to me about the Seven Sisters. They dwell where no sin rules above all.

That was it. I stared at the message delivered by the second skull again.

Seven stars, seven sins. As above, so below.

I’d been so convinced the seven sins was the easiest part to decipher, but that might not be true at all. Perhaps it was the simplicity of that portion of the clue that was meant to stand out. I thought it referred to the seven princes of Hell. But what if it was a place within the Seven Circles? “As above, so below” typically was used to indicate balance.

The clue might point toward the place where all seven sins were used equally, where none ruled above the others. Just as the Crone had hinted at.

The Sin Corridor.

Heart thumping, I grinned down at my notes. That had to be it.

The Seven Sisters were somewhere in the Sin Corridor, and I had a feeling they were in possession of the mirror. It would explain why they kept moving through the realm, hiding from the princes. They were either magical thieves or keepers of the peace.

Regardless of the role they played for the demon princes, they were my salvation.

I hastily packed a satchel of supplies—the Temptation Key, the Crone’s spell book I’d stolen from Envy, extra stockings, and dried fruit I’d pilfered from the kitchens—and changed into something warmer.

I stripped my dress off and replaced it with my fur-lined leather trousers, a lace-up tunic, and velvet cloak. I yanked on boots that went up to my thighs and snagged the strap of the bag as I rushed outside. I paused near the stables, the selfish part of me wanted to bring Tanzie for company, but I had no idea what I was looking for and didn’t want to miss anything by riding too fast. This was something I needed to do alone.

Before I could talk myself out of it, or draw the attention of any nosy members of House Wrath, I set off toward the edge at the back of the property and slid down the steep mountain. In record time I was on semi-flat ground again. I glanced behind me—the mountain Wrath had opened with a whispered word was as tall and as imposing as I remembered it.

I hoped I’d see it again soon.

With an image of my twin in my mind and determination in my heart, I began my trek through the unforgiving mountain pass. This time I was prepared for the subtle prodding of emotions. And I knew how to fight off demonic influence. I felt the first licks of power sliding along my skin, searching for a place to sink its teeth in. I bared my teeth at the realm. Even without the use of my magic, I was not helpless. I had a dagger and newfound grit.

“Do your worst.”

I was certainly going to do mine. I trudged through snow that gradually reached the top of my knees, my steps slow and unsteady. I didn’t think of the cold and ice. They were distractions. I kept my attention on my surroundings, looking for any hint of the Seven Sisters.

The first time we’d walked through here, I’d sworn I’d seen women using bones as knitting needles. I convinced myself it was my mind playing tricks, but I didn’t think that was the case. If the Seven Sisters made themselves known to me then, I prayed they’d do so again, especially now that I was no longer walking with the enemy.

A third of the way up an enormous section of the mountain, an ice storm struck. I pulled the hood of my cloak up and continued on. Little pellets struck me, over and over. As if furious with my defiance. The realm was wrong there. It was not defiance that drove me forward, taking step after excruciating step through this hell. It was love.

This journey may have begun with vengeance and revenge, but below that, it had always been about the love I felt for my twin. Nonna had been right; love was the most powerful magic. And I would harness it and—goddess above. I stopped walking, my attention catching on something that didn’t form naturally on any tree.

I squinted at the giant cedar and felt the blood drain from my face as I beheld a carving.

VII

“Hello?”

I reached for my dagger and glanced around. There were no sounds, no footprints, no otherworldly indications the Seven Sisters were near. But that seven carved into the trunk… I’d been taught to never overlook the signs. And that one was glaring.

I circled the tree, not finding anything else unusual about it. It was average sized, if not a bit more sparse than the surrounding cluster of cedars. I replaced my weapon in its sheath and dropped to my knees, digging through the snow. There had to be something here.

A few painful moments and frozen fingers later, my nails scraped against frozen earth. I tried scratching the surface and only succeeded in breaking several nails.

I stood, hands fisted at my sides, and tried to rein in my temper. The Sin Corridor sensed my momentary lapse in control and pounced. My favorite sin unleashed my fury, and I screamed, the sound muffled and smothered by the freshly falling snow.

I released all of my emotions, kicking at the snow, snapping branches off, and beating the ground. Sweat beaded my forehead and I couldn’t stop. I brought my fist to the tree and punched it as hard as I could.

“Godsdamnit!”

Pain lashed up my arm. I winced at my bloody knuckles, the fight and fury immediately leaving me. Godsdamn fool’s errand. Ridiculous riddles and… a thought occurred to me as blood dripped into the snow. On a hunch, I smeared a few drops on the tree, right across the Roman numeral seven. There was no moment of hesitation—the trunk clicked open, revealing a set of stairs hidden within it. I walked around the tree again. It didn’t seem possible for such a large set of stairs to fit inside, but I was finished asking questions. Now was the time for answers.

I said a prayer to the goddesses and stepped inside. The hidden door closed behind me, and torches flared to life. I went to grab my dagger again, but some innate feeling warned me against it. I don’t know how I knew with such certainty that I would not find a foe here. In fact, I feared any act of aggression might work against me. If I was about to locate a divine object, I needed to have faith that all would be well.

I inhaled deeply and pushed on. The stairs were wooden, semicircular, and curved around an enormous trunk. I took sure, confident steps, excitement and trepidation pumping through my veins the closer I got to the bottom. At the ground level a small stone chamber greeted me, a solitary pedestal in its center. And there it was. It had to be. I paused, taking in the sheer beauty of the mirror that was on display. Crafted from what appeared to be a combination of mother-of-pearl and raw moonstone, it was the most magnificent thing I’d ever seen.

It glowed from within. I stood before it, hardly noticing the tears spilling down my cheeks until the drops hit the mirror and sizzled. I set my satchel down and went to reach for it when candles suddenly lit around the chamber.

Seven ghostly shadows flickered in the light. They didn’t speak. Did not make a move toward me. They waited. The Seven Sisters had arrived. It was not fear, but awe I felt, deep in my soul. And a sense of familiarity.

“Hello, I’m—”

“About to make a critical choice. What you set into motion here, cannot be undone.” Celestia emerged from the opposite end of the chamber, her strange starlit eyes glowing. I should have been surprised by her appearance, but I wasn’t. “I offer one last chance, child. Walk away.”

“I cannot.”

She gave me a long look, then smiled. It was one I’d seen before, half-hidden behind a cloak, deep in the Bloodwood Forest. Now I was surprised. I stared at her for another second, unable to believe the truth before me. “You’re the Crone.” She nodded and I took a quick breath to digest the information. “Does Wrath know?”

“We mustn’t waste time speaking of him. I am calling in my favor, Daughter.” She strode over to the Triple Moon Mirror and gazed at it lovingly. “Once you activate the mirror, I ask that you return my spell book.”

“That’s all?”

“No, child.” She turned her attention back to me. “That’s everything.”

Celestia waved her hand at me, and a strange tingle settled over my skin, feeling as if invisible threads were snipped and whipping across my body in rapid succession.

A wave of magic bubbled up inside me and I dove into my source, almost crying out in elation when I tunneled past the wall that had erupted.

She gave me a knowing look and motioned toward the shadows. They peeled away from the wall and moved beside her. “When you receive your answers, come find me. I’ll expect my payment without delay.”