51. Tempest
51
TEMPEST
U sing magic, I snapped the vines pinning me to the chair. But before I could bolt or pull a knife to stab the king, the high advisor flitted to my side and grabbed me. He pivoted and thrust me against the wall.
Drask screeched and flapped his wings but remained perched on the back of the chair.
The high advisor’s face flamed, and his sharp breath blasted my face. “What did you do to my daughter?”
I smirked. “Which one?”
“Delaine.” His hand locked on my throat, the other holding me in place with a gouge into my shoulder. I could feel his torturous magic slither over me. He would stun me and then it would be over.
Locking down my guards, I shot power at him, feeling the two duel before his gave way. Yes.
“You gave me to Delaine,” I snarled. “You knew she was going to kill me. Did you think I wouldn’t defend myself?” I slammed my arms up, slicing into the underside of his and sending him spiraling backward. Landing squarely on my feet, I stalked toward him, hitching up my skirt to pull my blade that I slashed out with, dragging a thick line of blood across his face. “Don’t touch me again.”
He roared, rushing at me with his hands lifted.
I grabbed his arm and yanked him toward me, twisting before he made impact. A sweep of my leg and a jerk of my hip knocked him off his feet.
He skidded on his chest, groaning.
The king tipped his head back and laughed, releasing Vexxion’s arm.
The quick smile Vexxion gave me was a pat on the back. I’d learned to defend myself at the fortress, but he’d polished me into the vicious blade I now wielded.
Rolling onto his back and sitting, the high advisor clutched his nose that trickled blood. He swiped the redness across his face, merging it with the wound I’d delivered with my knife.
“Touch me again, and I’ll kill you,” I said, keeping my weapon close.
His face darkened, and he scrambled to his feet. Before he could do anything, Drask shot off the chair and into the high advisor’s face, his claws raking.
I did not run. I did not flit.
I lashed him with my blade again, slicing deeper, this time leaving a wide gash on the high advisor’s chest. His robe gaped open, and blood burst from the wound, raking down his belly .
“Stop,” the king said with a chortle. “That’s enough entertainment for one day.”
I called Drask away, and he flew over to land on the back of a sofa, watching everything.
High Advisor Adwarin blustered, rage contorting his sliced face and with retribution blazing in his eyes. “She—”
“I said stop. We’ll deal with her later.” Ivenrail turned back to Vexxion. “You haven’t answered my question.”
“I don’t know who she is,” Vexxion drawled. “The mark recently appeared so I assume she’s here inside the castle.”
“You’re bonded. Not only fated. Bonded . That means you’ve marked her. Of course you know who she is.”
“You’re mistaken.” Vexxion’s words minced out. He lifted his arm and marveled at the mark. “When I find her, I’ll tell you. Or not.”
“Why not?” Ivenrail bellowed, his hands clenching to fists at his sides and his face ruddy.
“Won’t you be busy with your own bride?”
“Brenna’s not my fated mate,” he snapped.
Why would the fates deign to give this man such a precious gift?
Shrill cries echoed from the front of the castle.
“Ah, there’s Kerune now.” Ivenrail strolled over to the window. “My new enforcer volunteered to tidy things up for me.”
I packed your bag and placed it in the throne room near the wall for later, Vexxion said. Flit from here . I’ll distract them.
How are you going to distract them?
Trust me .
“Drask,” I cried, and he flew over to land on my shoulder.
I flitted, arriving inside our suite.
For one moment, my heart stilled.
Stumbling, I pressed my palm against my chest. What was happening? I could feel . . . I didn’t know what it was.
Vexxion? I screeched.
I’m fine.
A subtle sound outside sent me rushing to the window. The air froze in my lungs as I gaped down. The Lieges who had gathered on the bridge now littered the ground, their bodies lying in tortured poses, their robes wrenched back to expose their skeletal frames. Kerune stood among them, a sword in his hand.
Stunned, I couldn’t speak or move. Had the king demanded he do this?
The Liege I’d killed in the cave saw this and so much more coming.
Kerune lifted his fist, shaking it in the air. The king’s enforcer had slipped into a new role, one that would now control the dregs that could roam the ground and fly through the air.
Did this mean the king now had direct control of the powerless Nullens?
As if he sensed me looking, Kerune’s head tipped back, his eyes seeking my window. I ducked to the side and slowly peered through the filmy curtain.
His gaze locked on mine.
He lifted his blade, pointing the tip right at me.