The Temptation of Sin And The Lycan Princess

75. The Pain Inside

ROYCE.

The only way to end this… is his death.

The moment is before me as he lays there

bleeding out, and it hurts.

Despite everything he has done and I know he deserves what is coming, but… he is still my

brother.

I look at her as I pass her the sword, hiding the pain in my chest.

For her, I need to stay strong.

You’ve hidden your emotions for years, Royce. What are a few more moments?

I look into her eyes, which are now green, but they remain cat-like.

“Let’s do this.” I say.

I look at Aleric as he lays there on the floor, trying to get up when he sees us approaching, but he is beyond the point of recovering, and it’s clear Apophis is focusing on the barrier…

The darkness that is pushing against the barrier is spreading from Aleric.

“Break his tie from this world and it will

weaken him.” Skyla murmurs.

“For the Gods,” I say quietly as I place my hand

over hers.

We raise the sword as one and I look down at

him. Our eyes meet and I remember the little

boy who once played by my side. 5

The one I sparred against, the friendly competition, the pranks we’d pull… the way he always tried to protect me.

“Apophis!” He hisses. The darkness seems to spread, returning around him with vengeance and he begins laughing brokenly.

Too weak to do anything, but his confidence in the snake god remains.

“Kill me then, if you can,” Aleric says, his eyes locked with mine.

you took everything I

wanted… you even

nothing more than

my mate… you are

selfish… you always have

been…”

thoughts and I realise I’ve

urgency in her voice makes me glance around and

blacked out.

big, say I will kill, but when

brother,” I say quietly, as I close my eyes and we raise the sword. My hand is over hers, and her power surges

sting my eyes as Apophis’s chilling voice that makes me ill every time I hear it rings in the

‘NO!’

eyes and stare into Aleric’s wide

of rage as the sky begins to lighten around us are shrill and ear-splitting, but I’m unable to bask in the sight of

back at me as

before my eyes. 13

I’d

fades away, I let go of my grip on her hand and the sword as I fall to my knees, unable to

places the sword down, cupping my face, and I look

so sorry.” She

shake my head. This is not on

I press my fists to my forehead, refusing to allow any sound

truly is no

SKYLA.

heart to see him so broken; he was

take the life of my sibling, even if someone is bad… they

he’ll feel that guilt every

his mother…

that is something he will carry

when the sun shows its face once more, even when everyone gathers. I hold my king close, wanting to take

pain.

stopped, but

bowed.

shake my head. Even

are sorry, your majesty…”

been… intense…” a man says quietly. “We should have seen the

drown them out, kissing Royce’s neck from behind as I keep my hold on him tight until I sense Catherine approaching. That is when I let go

Catherine sobs as

you had to.” She says through her sobs as she cups

into her embrace. 3

up and turn my back on them, to give. them space to mourn

why must they suffer… at least make their healing

arms wrap around me, and I hug her tightly, trying to control my own tears, but it

first time in my life… I killed

you… something inside

understand what it means when they say, every life

Royce, the Solaris King,

pull away from Mama as I stare at the man who has spoken. I’m still in my armour, and I know

Are they that stupid?