I woke up in the Witch Tower.

It was another day, just like yesterday. But somehow it didn’t feel like yesterday, even though I had no memory of it.

My markings told me I’d had wild, hot sex with a winged being who called himself Archangel Gabriel last night. Why had my markings recorded that? Usually they only scribed facts. But wild and hot could be naked truth. Only this time my markings seemed to want me to feel.

But I couldn’t recall a single detail of the wild sex. I didn’t feel liberated by it last night but felt a full assault of emptiness, fear, rage, and the need to get my revenge on whoever had put me through this.

A male scent lingered on my pillow—cologne, sandalwood, and sky. I inhaled again, hoping the Angel’s scent would trigger a memory.

There was nothing but bleakness.

I sat up on the edge of the bed, burying my face in my hands.

A moment later, I was more collected.

I walked over to the glassless window. The curtain was open, and the morning’s chill wafted in. Cold didn’t bother me. I was ice.

My markings said the Angel had come to me through the window.

He had left the curtains open when he had jumped down. I looked down and inhaled a sharp breath. It was at least twelve floors. Had I forced him to jump from this height?

I staggered back at my cruelty. But a firm voice in my head immediately reminded me I was supposed to be heartless as the Wickedest Witch in the universe.

I swallowed hard. What was I? What had I become?

I looked over the city sprawling beneath me. Some distant buildings were on fire under the overcast sky. Did I stand here every morning and see the same view over and over?

My gaze fell upon a faraway dark tower facing mine.

Through the magical inscriptions on my ankle, I learned that the vampire Dark Prince dwelled there. He craved the wicked magic in my blood. He wanted me to be his bride. He wanted to turn me into a vampire queen.

I’d been stalling him to buy myself time, but his patience was running thin.

I rubbed my temples. I couldn’t take him down if it came to a battle. He was the Dark Prince, powerful beyond measure.

I needed to hurry up and find the portal.

My mind drifted back to the Angel I had fucked last night.

What did he look like?

I hoped I could remember something—even a glimpse of his face, a touch, or a fleeting feeling—but there was only the echoing blankness.

My recording said I’d recognize him by his black wings.

I took a deep breath and opened the door.

A violet-haired woman waited on the red marble stairs. She was probably a couple of years older than me. Her warmth was like spring. And I envied her amber skin.

“Lady Fiammetta.” She greeted me with a sincere smile in her dark violet eyes.

As soon as she said my name, I felt I would get through the day, just like I had survived every day.

Kaara Nightshades was her name. I could trust only her.

I didn’t return her smile, but eyed her fighting gear.

Kaara approached me with a glass of water and a spare cup in her hand. She poured a small portion of water into the empty cup, drank from the cup, and handed me the glass of water.

My throat was parched. I drained the water but did not thank her.

I had to act like the Wickedest Witch. 

“Brief me, Kaara,” I said.

“We won’t go scavenging unless a ship falls. Today is training day.”

I had no idea where or how my guards usually trained, but Kaara handled it. All I needed was to keep my wicked and icy demeanor and distance myself from everyone.

I should go to the jungle to seek the portal. However, I didn’t feel the urgent call. I might just sit around and give myself a day off.

I felt lazy. Was it something to do with the sex I had last night?

I inclined my head, gesturing for her to escort me. 

On the way down, everyone snapped to attention at my approach and dropped their gazes to the ground. My subjects were of mixed species and they feared me.

Had I ever tortured any of them? Had I killed some of them to make them terrified of me? But if I hadn’t documented it, then it wasn’t essential. 

I glided along and carried myself like a regal queen. I found it effortless to play that role, as if I were born to rule. 

As soon as I entered the hall, the air crackled with potent electricity.

A flash of unseen lightning slammed into me, rendering me drunk with wild desire.

I halted, but kept my blank mask in place. Was it always like this? Why hadn’t my markings warned me?

I traced the electric source and found a large male with black wings in the center of the room. He was masculine and easy on the eye. An inked tattoo adorned his temple. The runes went all the way down to his neck and disappeared under his long trench coat.

The runes and ancient language spoke of his loss and proud history.

This winged being was a pure-blooded warrior.

He met my gaze, his stare so intense and smoldering my heart fluttered in my chest. Liquid heat pooled between my thighs and I parted my lips. I hadn’t expected that reaction.

My face hardened and I spotted a cold smile tugging at the corner of his eyes. They were full of heat and spite for me at once. What had I done to him?

I didn’t even recognize him. The only way I’d managed to identify him as the man I had allowed into my bed was because of his wings.

Had he been any good? My body had felt differently this morning, but I couldn’t be certain if that was from our coupling.

I tore my gaze from him and surveyed the room before I strode toward my throne. His forceful, intimate gaze followed me like an electric whip. Heat coursed in me, and even my ice magic couldn’t cool it.

It seemed my body hadn’t forgotten him. Its sexual interest in the winged male hadn’t faded.

His name was Gabriel.

Unlike others, he didn’t appear to be afraid of me. He folded his muscled arms across his broad chest in defiance, as if bracing for an assault from me.

I couldn’t be that bad. I wouldn’t attack anyone without a sound reason.

Reason? What was I thinking? I was the Wickedest Witch.

Had I frozen his balls with my ice magic last night? I must have done something to him for him to look so pissed. My markings hadn’t recorded anything of the sort, so it probably didn’t matter.

I didn’t care for his foul mood, even though my curiosity was piqued.

Before I settled on my throne, I sent him a warning look that said, Make no mistake, creature! Challenge me or inconvenience me, and you’ll be sorry. I don’t particularly care how handsome you are or if you performed well last night.

He sneered at me, but the scorching heat in his striking green eyes never lessened, and it burned the path before me, nearly bruising me with its demanding caress.

I pretended I wasn’t aware of the tension.

I folded my legs and sat still as liquid fire slithered up between my thighs, licking my tender, aching flesh.

My need for the male grew white hot.

Kaara darted her gaze between Gabriel and me, as if she knew something I didn’t. And I wasn’t pleased.

“Kaara!” I snapped. “What’s the training plan?”

I fought not to look in Gabriel’s direction as his gaze joined the liquid fire roving over my every inch, caressing me without a touch.