Free The Shadow Prince by Stacey O'Neale

Her red dress had been torn in several spots. Her hair had been pulled back but pieces had loosened around her face. Iron handcuffs covered her wrists with dried blood around the edges. By her appearance, I'd guess she put up a fight before they brought her here.
    There was nothing inside her cell. No bathroom. No bed. No food. There was just her, glaring at me with a look of total disgust. It wasn't the first time I'd seen that expression. The only time she ever smiled was when she was inflicting pain on someone else. Yet, even with everything that happened, my heart pained to see her in there. How I still managed to care for her I couldn't understand—I doubt I ever would.
    “Have you come here to brag?” She chuckled. “All hail the fire court king!” she shouted, lowering her head in a mocking bow.
    I thought long and hard about kicking her in the face. “Honestly, I'm not sure why I came. You certainly don't deserve my sympathy.”
    “Does this have to do with your punishment, Rowan?” she asked. “Judging by my current state, I'd say I went lightly on you.” Leaning forward, eyes squinted, she said, “I should have killed you when I had the chance.” She lunged for me but the iron chains around her wrists held her back. They sizzled when she moved. It was the first time I'd ever heard her whimper.
    The pain must have been intense because it seemed to calm her down. “You are here by your own doing, Mother. You have no one to blame but yourself.”
    She rolled her eyes. “I did what was best for my court. That's what a ruler does. We make the hard choices others can't make.”
    Anger boiled in my chest. “Like choosing to mutilate your own son? Was that one of your hard choices?”
    She straightened her back, looking quite proud. “You were weak.”
    I clenched my fists so hard my fingernails dug half moon crescents into my palms. “You wanted me to kill an innocent halfling.”
    She stood, ignoring the iron as it burned her skin. “She is a danger to us all.”
    I took several steps until our faces were only inches from one another. “You don't know that. This is all based on your own opinions. There's been no sign that she's the akasha.”
    “You're a fool. You refuse to see what's right in front of you.” She shook her head. “You will bring doom to our court. I'm pleased I won't be here to witness it.”
    “You know, I came down here contemplating whether or not I would beg for your life. Even after all you've done, there's part of me that will always care for you. Some small piece of me will always yearn for your acceptance, your love.” Tears welled in my eyes but I refused to let them go. After all she had taken from me, I would never give her the satisfaction. “But now I see you are beyond saving. You deserve what's coming to you.”
    She laughed. “Only the weak yearn for something as frivolous as love. You aren't worthy of my approval. Certainly not my crown.”
    Her hateful words stabbed into my chest. She never touched me, yet I was beaten and broken. In that moment, I bundled up all the emotions I felt for her and locked them away. Never again would I let anyone get to me as she had. “And yet, here we are. You are about to be put to death, and me, about to sit on your throne.” I grabbed her face, pressing my lips hard against her cheek. “Goodbye, Mother.”
     

 
Chapter Ten
     
    This wasn't how I imagined this day would go. My coronation was supposed to be a celebration, the greatest day of my life. The fire court throne room should have been filled with fire elementals and high-ranking members of the other three courts. During the ceremony I'd kneel before my mother. She would say a few words then place the crown on my head. Afterwards, we would party for days honoring this significant moment in our history.
    Instead, I sat on the edge of the bed in the guest room of the air court castle. There were no members of my court with me. Only three would witness my coronation: