Once Eli was gone, Luc turned on Dom. Now was his moment. Now was the time to break and mend his promise to Nic and to Rin, once and for all.

He nodded at Ian.

“Take him.”

Ian, Ron, and Cor advanced on Dom, whose triumphant grin faded. “What’s going on?”

They secured Dom. Even as Dom’s eyes began to glow in warning, Luc approached him, pouring red-hot anger through his aura.

“How dare you mix up my son in this idiocy?” he spat.

Dom’s eyes widened. The glowing in his eyes faltered.

“How dare you bring this kingdom into danger? Little king, you are king no longer.”

“The people will protect my rights against you.” Dom’s voice shook.

Luc’s aura blazed. He noted with satisfaction that Dom’s aura lit up with bright greens. Dom still feared him. The little brat had forgotten his power. Luc had, too.

“The people have seen you for what you are. You are a pretender, an ignorant, selfish brat. Your father wanted me on the throne as regent to prevent precisely this.” Luc strode forward and yanked the royal chains from Dom’s neck. “Now I’m fulfilling that wish and protecting my people.”

“Your people?” spat Dom. “They answer to me.”

“They were never your people, Dom.” Luc said, donning the chains. “You never cared about them. All you cared about was making yourself famous, at the risk of their lives. You played king. Now it’s my turn.” He smiled at Dom and patted the chains now hanging on his own chest. “We’ll see who wears them better.”

He waved his hand and the Takers pulled Dom away.

“I’ll never let you become king.” Dom struggled against the Takers. “You’ll have to kill me first!”

“I think it will be much easier than that.” Luc gestured towards the Threshold. “I think you’ll find the Kar-Tog’s life makes a very good case for my kingship.”

Dom’s eyes widened. “Leave her alone!”

The Takers pulled Dom out of sight, though Luc could still hear him, shouting the name of that wretched Kar-Tog.

“Mil! My Mil!”

Luc turned away from the mouth of the cave and stared into the ripples of the Threshold, which reflected his own image, shivering and vague, back to him. The chains on his broad chest sparkled in the dusky sunlight. What he wouldn’t give for Rin to see him now.