We had vengeance, but we also had hope.
“No more guards doing your fighting for you, just you and me.”
Adreona scoffed. “That shows you’re not a true queen, are you? A true queen lets others fight her battles for her.”
“Well, I’ve never thought of myself as a true queen, so why start now.”
A cry tore from my throat as I ran toward her. Her hands went to her face as her guards closed around her.
A figure danced to the right, a flash of dark hair sneaking between the shadows.
“Luka! Don’t let Keziq get away!”
“I’m on it, Sweetheart.”
81
LUKA
I had lost track of Lennox, the battle forcing us apart.
I followed Keziq through the hoard of soldiers. Every step I took away from my mate felt like an invisible thread that tried to pull me back to her. It clawed at my heart and made the vein in my arm, my mating mark, pulse.
But I knew she’d be fine; she didn’t need me to follow after her.
She could handle herself.
I needed to focus on my target.
Keziq was perched on a large boulder, her knees bent on the stone, a cruel smile spread across her pale, cracked lips. Her hair blew around her and across her face. Her hands were resting palms up on her knees, magic visibly streaming from her palms.
We hadn’t given one another distinct orders, but if Keziq was in front of me, I wasn’t going to miss out on the opportunity to slit her throat.
I slayed any soldier that dared stand in my way—my gaze solely fixed on Keziq. Every step toward her, my blood surged in my veins—my magic—my mating bond tightened.
Only five feet remained between meand the witch. Another soldier swung its sword in my direction. I block her blow without a look sideways, sending her and her sword careening.
Three more steps.
I flexed my hand on my blade.
Two.
I raised my blade.
One.
Keziq’s eyes popped open, her lips forming a snarl.
Her hand darted out, her magic punching me in the chest and sending me flying to the ground.
I clutched my chest, my breathing strained.
I reached for my sword, catching my breath, and quickly standing as Keziq approached me, her hands glowing.
She flew out another whisp of magic, her band of air whipping out—I blocked it with my own magic—a shield of air, sending her air back at her.
She stumbled, and I flew out another burst of air, casting it like a whip, aiming for her neck. My magic followed my heed—it wrapped around her neck, and I pulled. She screamed, her hands going to her throat as her knees slammed to the ground.
