At the top of the stairs was a door, and when Loki pushed it open, I knew exactly where we were. Right across from us were the doors to Oren’s chambers. Vines, fairies, and trols were carved into the oak, depicting a fantasy scene. The hal was deserted, and the cacophony of the fighting sounded farther away.

I heard a scream that sounded too much like Tove, and the entire palace shook.

“Go,” I said to Loki.

“I don’t want to leave you to face the King alone.”

“No, I can do this.” I put my hand on his chest and faced him.

“They need you downstairs. I can handle the King myself.”

“Wendy, no,” he shook his head.

“Loki, please. You must help them. You’re strong. They need you,” I said, but I knew that wouldn’t convince him. “I wil send you flying down the hal myself, but that wil drain my abilities. I don’t want to do it, but I wil if I have to.”

His eyes searched mine, and I knew he didn’t want to leave me.

But I couldn’t let him come with me. I wanted him safe, or at least safer than he would be around Oren. And more importantly, my friends needed him to help fight against the hobgoblins.

“I can do this,” I repeated. “I was born for this.” He didn’t want to, but he finaly relented. He kissed me, quickly and fiercely on the mouth.

“I wil help them, and then I wil be back for you,” he said.

“I know. Now go.”

He nodded and dashed down the hal. Taking a deep breath, I turned around to face the doors. I went down the hal, prepared to kil my father.

24. Beginning of the End

I pushed open the doors, and I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t exactly this. Oren was awake, sitting on his throne. He wore black satin pants, and his robe hung open, revealing his shirtless torso, so I assumed he had been sleeping recently.

He sat casualy in the chair, turned slightly to the side so one of his legs hung over the arm. His fingers were bedazzled with heavy, silver rings, and he held a glass of red wine in one hand, sipping it slowly.

I glanced around the room, searching for the swords Loki had told me about. While any metal probably could kil a Vittra, Oren had a special set of swords made with platinum and diamonds. He used them for al his executions, to be certain they would get the job done.

“My child.” Oren smiled at me in that way that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. “You’ve come home.”