54. Ryker #2
“Well, their Bond hasn’t been consecrated. And no runes yet, so there’s still a chance,” the king mutters.
“Soraea?” I ask, grinding my molars to keep my mouth sealed. No need to insult the king or his general.
Carys grabs the king's attention, bringing the conversation back to the hunt.
It’s hard to keep track of what Carys is saying while I’m worried about Raea.
“Ry,” she whimpers. “Ry, I need you. Something is wrong. I can’t find our friends and this room…
the air here...it’s sweet, like rotting fruit.
I can’t find my feet. They are touching me, Ry.
The lights are shifting, and I can't find the door—everything is skin and smoke and moans. I’m going to hurt them.
I am going to burn this whole place down if I can’t get out. ”
“Excuse me,” I say, interrupting Carys. “I just need to step out for a moment.”
“Before you go,” the general says. “What are your plans for the war? What role will you be playing? If this girl, who you claim is your mate, is truly the one the prophecy is about, then surely you have a plan.”
I can feel Raea’s rising panic. “Talk to me, Soraea. What’s going on?”
“Right now, we are focused on training and learning about our powers. Both Princess Raea and I grew up preparing for war, but we were unaware that magic would be involved.”
He scrubs a hand over his jaw.
“Ryker. I can’t fight them off,” she cries. “I can’t use my magic. I don’t have control, and I could kill everyone. Where are you?”
“I’m so sorry. I’ll be right back.” I don’t wait for a response, ignoring the scoff of the general as I grab Trysten and Kellan. Kamden follows.
“I’m coming to get you.”
“Raea is somewhere in the palace. Somewhere called Veyl’shara.”
“Did you say Veyl’shara?” Riven asks as we step out. He’s been waiting at the door, most likely for Carys. I’m still not sure what his role here is, but he’s been an ally so far.
Raea’s distress picks up.
I nod to Riven, and his face drains of color as he mutters a curse. “It’s the chamber of pleasure. It’s a room deep within the palace where the court does less…desirable things. If she’s there…” He shakes his head. “Drugs and orgies. We need to get her out of there.”
Riven leads the way, Kamden mutters something about finding Tate and searching for Ciara and Aolyn when I tell Riven they’re also missing.
We take a dark hall, bursting into a sprint when Raea panics. “Ryker, their hands…” She gasps.
“Please,” she sobs.
I feel so godsdamn helpless, and this is taking way too long. She’s right, though. Her magic is untested, and she could kill everyone. Last time we were on the launchpad. The damage within the palace could be catastrophic.
I remember something about being able to share magic as mates.
I don’t remember what exactly, but I can feel Raea’s power like a golden waterfall.
If I wanted to, I could call upon some of it.
I would be an extension of her. If she were to call upon it, she could share it. The same could be said in reverse.
“Soraea, I need you to listen to me. I’m going to summon wind and rain. I need you to grab some of that power and use it, okay? Use it to get yourself free.”
I hear her agreement as I open a window in the hall, telling Kellan to go with Riven. Trysten waits with me as I call upon my magic.
Since waking up Fae, I haven’t practiced containment. I can feel how wild it is and knew I’d need a safe place. But there’s no time for safety. I can only hope it’s enough. I throw the windows open, letting the gale scream into the hallway. I call the storm, pushing it toward the tether in my mind.
“Take it!” I roar silently.
I feel her grasp the edge of my power, a frantic, scorching pull that drains the breath from my lungs. Outside, the sky breaks open, but inside, I feel my own magic being molded by her hands, turned into a shield I can't see.
Below in the city, waves are lapping at the side of the river, and there’s a frantic noise as the Fae rush to their homes, terrified at the storm that appeared out of nowhere.
Beside me, Trysten stands guard, his eyes searching the halls and ignoring the rain that is pelting us and soaking through the finery.
A flash of heat burns from my right wrist to elbow like a brand. I grunt in pain, ignoring it so I can focus on maintaining. “Raea, I have to let go. I’m flooding the streets.”
“Let go. I'm okay.”
In an instant, I release both strands, amazed when my energy that Raea had pulled comes hurdling back to me. It’s only then that I realize how much power she had pulled. I step away from the window, turning back down the hall.
I hear the window behind me latch before Trysten catches up. “Is she okay?”
I nod, looking both directions when I come to a cross section. I take a moment to use my senses, smelling the air. I catch a hint of Kellan going left.
Needing her in my arms, I take off running. Trysten’s steps stay close behind, but he’s struggling to keep up. With my Fae abilities, I’m able to run faster. I’m about to tell him I will come back for him when I hear Riven.