26. Vexxion
26
VEXXION
I venrail was foolish to think I’d remain chained to the wall in his dungeon, awaiting his pleasure.
After he left, I closed my eyes, drew on my power, and traveled to his sitting area, arriving in time to ensure the high advisor’s head hit the wall hard enough to stun him. When he staggered out into the hallway, I lifted him and tossed him over the railing. He dropped five stories, sadly using some of his power to slow his fall, but he landed on the marble floor of the foyer with a satisfying smack. All without seeing who’d done this to him.
Traveling was only in my mind. I took no physical form when I appeared elsewhere, but I could still use my magic when I reached my destination.
I had Fury and Reyla to protect.
The only reason my mother hadn’t traveled while he tortured her was because that would’ve meant leaving me behind. She couldn’t flit, and she couldn’t take anyone “traveling” with her.
My current bindings did not allow me to flit, but I’d inherited all of my mother’s skills.
The king was greedy tonight, taking and taking from me when he believed he was draining Reyla. A braggart, he talked about his collections, his love of books with Tempest.
Did he realize I’d borrowed the book with information about collars? How else would I learn about how to release them? Since he’d tossed it into a cabinet near the fireplace, I doubt he realized I’d read and returned it.
“Your turn,” he said, moving on to Tempest.
By the time he’d eased away, a sly smile on his face and his cheeks glowing with the energy he’d drained from me, I could barely hold my spirit in the room, let alone try to give Tempest reassurance with the Wraithweave gameboard.
Ivenrail left the women still bound to the chairs, drifting into his bedroom to collapse on his bed. Like many times in the past, he’d fall into an indulgence-induced slumber. If I knew him, and I did all too well, he’d sleep until morning and wake with a headache from all he took from my well.
Tempest’s gaze remained on the shield as I slipped away, unable to hold the travel spell any longer. I jarred back into my body, still chained to the wall, and hung there, unable to support my physical weight. If someone came upon me . . . I didn’t want to think of what they might do or the fact that I was so drained, I wouldn’t be able to host enough power to defend myself.
My fury was aptly named. She appeared in front of me with tears in her eyes and storm clouds gathering on her face. She stomped over to where I hung on the wall and shook her finger at me. “You were in the king’s living area while he attempted to drain us.”
I nodded.
“He took no power from me.”
“Good,” I said.
“You revealed yourself as the shield, and you left not long after Ivenrail did.”
I could only grunt in agreement.
“I followed you.”
“Not . . . possible.”
Her hands smacked onto her hips. “Yet here I am.”
“You . . . shouldn’t be able to . . . flit here.” Damn, I was weak. How much more of this could I take? I already knew the answer. I’d let him keep draining me until I had nothing left to give.
Or he was dead, something I both dreaded and looked forward to.
“That’s hardly the point,” she said.
“How did you . . . get free?”
“Magic. I took Reyla to her room and then sought you.” Her heartfelt sigh rang out. “You need to stop doing this.”
“I won’t.” No one can flit to a place they’d never been to before, I growled in her mind. Yet you did.
You’re mine. I sensed where you were.
Also, not possible.
I love you. I’ll follow you to the very center of this world to be with you .
Tempest. Could she hear the love in my voice? Could she feel the stroke of my soul across her own?
Grumbling, she took in the manacles and chains securing me to the wall. Tell me the spell to release you.
My bindings were magicked by the king. Only he can release them.
“How about this?” She lifted her skirt and tugged my family blade from the sheath she’d strapped to her thigh. “I’m digging you out of here, love.”
“I love how you . . . continue to . . . disregard the rules.” I scanned her frame. “You look lovely tonight,” I croaked. “I didn’t get . . . the chance to show you how gorgeous I . . . find you.”
“You can show me later.” Her face furious with concentration, she attacked the wall where the chain had been secured, raking away at the stone.
Speaking in our minds took a lot less energy. Had she figured out why we could talk to each other while she couldn’t speak with anyone else?
Ivenrail will be displeased if he finds me gone , I said.
Ivenrail can suck ass.
As delightful as that idea is, and I’d love to hear you tell him this, I don’t have many friends here, I said. He’ll make Zayde tell him who helped me.
Will Zayde talk?
With the right persuasion, yes.
Fuck him.
I’d rather not.
Her snort rang out, but her eyes sparkled with fresh tears. It killed me to see her cry. Killed me to see her in this horrible place. She deserved a life full of strolling through beautiful meadows. A courtier who’d hold her hand and recite heartfelt poems. Not tragedy. Not someone trying to kill her. Not a lost bastard like me.
If only I could offer her that life.
All I could give her was my love and my very soul, and they might not be enough.
I don’t want him hurting Zayde, but I refuse to leave you here, she said. What else do you propose?
I hated even suggesting it. Give me a tiny bit of your power.
That’s a switch.
A small amount, I said sternly. Enough for me to travel from here to our suite for the night. I’ll return before he arrives in the morning and will act contrite enough to convince him I’ve repented.
What does traveling entail?
My shell remains here but the rest of me leaves.
She stepped back, frowning. What happens to your shell if someone tries to kill you?
We don’t want to think about that.
You’ll be vulnerable.
I’m always vulnerable.
Not if I’m with you. She slid her blade back into the sheath and stormed around the cell, clearly thinking.
Don’t try to fix this , I said. He needs to believe I’m dutifully chastened.
I won’t allow this.
You don’t have a choice. Let him think he’s won .
This changes the dynamics. The high advisor is already itching to step into your place.
He doesn’t have the guts or the power to do so.
He took some of mine.
“What?” I barked. “Tell me everything.”
When she did, I snarled and hauled on my chains, though all that did was make fresh blood trickle from the wounds on my wrists and ankles.
“Don’t,” she whimpered, sliding her fingertips gently across the wound on my right wrist. Heat seared along with her touch, and the pain instantly went away.
This woman had so much power, so much love to give. It still hollowed out my heart to see that she loved me.
I would do all I could to be worthy of her love.
I would sacrifice everything to end this.
High Advisor Adwarin suspects I’m more than a simple Nullen, and he’s right. She strode right up to me and levitated, another skill I hadn’t yet taught her and she shouldn’t be able to do. She gently cupped my face, tilting my head to make me meet her eyes. What else haven’t you shared with me?
I tell you all I can. You know this.
One day, you’ll need to tell me everything.
I will. I promise you this. Soon there will no longer be any secrets between us.
“Vexxion.” Pure frustration came through in her voice. I’d planted it there. I’d soon pay the price for holding things back.
The high advisor needed to die and soon, though I’d have to be careful with him. Despite flinging him against the wall, the king liked him for some reason. He wouldn’t allow me to smear his blood across the fae realm. If I did something like that, my punishment here would seem paltry in comparison. I couldn’t risk being hurt that badly, not when we were close to ending this forever.
I’d take care of him, however, and dropping from the fifth to the first level of the foyer was nothing compared to what I’d do to him for daring to touch my fury.
Unable to hold eye contact for fear she’d see something she shouldn’t, I eased out of her grip.
Give me a fraction of your power, and we’ll leave for the night, I said. Travelers moved only with their souls, but our bond was different. I’d be able to hold her, reassure her. Find comfort myself. Tomorrow, I’ll stomp around and show everyone he’s the only one who can do this to me. He’ll feel vindicated and full of himself. I’ll crush a few hands or stab a high lord or two to prove the controller is still someone to be reckoned with.
I’m not allowing this.
“Fury,” I growled.
“Vexxion,” she shot right back.
Damn she was beautiful when she stormed, and I didn’t only mean on the surface. She was gloriously exquisite even within this fae court where each person was more stunning than the next. Her true beauty rested within, and it shone in her eyes. Her heart was pure, brimming with everything that made her special, everything I should push aside.
Yet I couldn’t.
It would break me to release her.