She was. She was gone. Dead. Guilt, grief and betrayal stabbed Bane, leaving his heart in ruins. Meredith was dead, and Aveline had done it. The woman he’d once loved, once planned to wed, had killed the woman he did love and had wed. She’d treated their shared history like garbage. Treated Bane as nothing. Less than nothing.

The queen met his gaze, grinned and bit into his wife’s heart. As she closed her eyes, savoring the influx of strength, he threw back his head and shouted to the rafters until his lungs threatened to collapse.

“Be quiet,” Aveline snapped.

Helpless to obey, panting, he dropped his hands to his sides and sagged to his haunches. He’d failed his precious wife, and he didn’t...he couldn’t...

The queen finished off the organ and approached him, just as graceful as before. With two fingers under his chin, she forced his attention up. “Do you wish to strike at me, warrior?” Blood stained her teeth.

“I do.” Rage blistered him, the need to lash out stronger than ever before, her every inhalation an unforgivable offense. He would give anything to strike at her. And, if he couldn’t end her himself, he would find another way.

Or another queen.

Forget the toxic cycle. Bane would serve anyone but Aveline.

Even the princesses on Terra, whoever they happened to be. When one came of age, he would be able to pick her from a crowd of thousands. He would find and protect her until he won the All War. Just before Aveline arrived to claim her prize, he would perform the Blood Rite, awakening hybrids. The High Council would assume Bane had sired them during his years of combat, which was perfectly legal.

The new queen could fight and kill Aveline.

Ramifications? Yes. He wouldn’t be the one to deliver the deathblow.

Did it matter? One way or another, Aveline had to die.

Hope kindled, a flame in need of fuel. “You’re right,” he said, glaring. “I’ll go to Terra, and I’ll win the war. One day, my smiling face will be the last thing you see before a sword is driven into your black heart.”

She patted his cheek and smiled, pleased. “I look forward to your attempt.”

CHAPTER ONE

How to melt his icy exterior!

—Nola Lee, Oklahoma Love Match Magazine

AD 701, human timeline
103rd All War, Month 2
Terra

KILL. NO MERCY.

On the trail of his next target, Bane skulked through a Terran jungle. Sweat drenched him, draining his strength, but a rush of adrenaline kept him going, feeding his ravenous muscles. Massive trees abounded, their interwoven limbs forming a leafy canopy, blocking the sun’s too-harsh rays. A blessing and a curse. Those gnarled limbs also placed intractable walls in his path, slowing his progress.