My friends forced me to take a sleep potion when we arrived back at the Slasky mansion, more or less intent on sedating me. I slept until nightfall, but when I woke up, my nerves hadn’t calmed. If anything, I felt even more anxious.
Stefan, Delmare, Odette and Theo were at the dining room table when I came down. Kiara was still sick— Alexei refused to leave her side. The remnants of dinner remained on the table, but I was far from hungry for anything but vengeance.
Odette immediately recognized my blazing look. “Emma, what are you doing?”
My fists tightened. “I’m going to Arcanea University. I’m going to find out what Lord Lucien did with my White Rose costume, I’m going to put it on, and then I’m going to storm the castle and save my mate.”
“Em, slow down. You’re not thinking straight,” Stefan said. Theo immediately moved toward the exit, to block me if I tried leaving.
He could damn well try. “Ethan’s not getting a free pass. They’ll convict him no matter what we do. This is the only way.”
“We aren’t going to let you kill yourself in an attempt to save him,” Theo replied coolly.
I let out a humorless laugh. “If Ethan dies, I’m already dead.”
I was going to stop this trial by any means possible. I’d level the courthouse to the ground, I’d kill Eli, I’d doanything.
I had no plan except to go in there and start taking down fae. Anyone stupid enough to get in my way, I’d cut down. I’d grab Ethan, and we’d leave Malovia together. We’d go into hiding— everything would be all right then.
Delmare stood slowly, putting out her hands. “We’re not gonna let you do this.”
“I’m the Worldweaver! I’m more powerful thanallof you! None of you can stop me!” I yelled.
Just to show that I could, I used my power to slam Theo into the wall. He shouted in pain and went crashing down. Odette scampered to his side. Stefan tried to grab me, but I conjured a shield and forced it outward. He smacked into it, and it was enough to leave the dragon winded. Delmare conjured a battle orb, but I flung out a stunning spell, and she cried out as it slammed into her abdomen.
I didn’t mean to hurt my friends, but right now, I didn’t care. I didn’t care about anyone but Ethan, and keeping his head on his shoulders. We’d run away— I’d rescue him, and we’d leave Malovia if we had to. If I had to fight my friends to save Ethan, I’d do it. My mate’s life was on the line. They’d back off when they realized there was no stopping me.
Just then, the door to the dining room blew open off its hinges. Lady Magdalina was in its stead, her expression blazing.
“Out!” she bellowed. “Everyoneout! I must speak with Emmaline alone.”
My friends didn’t question a thing. They glanced at Lady Magdalina, then scuttled out of the dining room and up the stairs as quickly as their legs could carry them.
When my eyes met her blue ones, I burst into tears. Again. I didn’t cry, but gods, I’d been such a mess these past few weeks. Being in the presence of a strong woman like her made me crumble all over again.
Magdalina stomped toward me. “Get ahold of yourself,” Magdalina snapped, and she shook me by the shoulders. “By the gods, girl, we’re at war. This is no time to show you’ve lost your backbone.”
“I need your help!” I wailed. “You have to help me break Ethan out of jail, so we can leave the country. It’s the only way he’ll be safe.”
“You cannot run. Malovia needs you,” Magdalina said firmly. “To leave your country now would doom us all.”
“I don’t care,” I wept. “I just want Ethan to live.”
“There’s still a way! You foolish girl, don’t you realize the kind of attention you’ve been gifted? Use it to your advantage!”
“Advantage?” I lifted my head.
“Yes! You’re a commoner, a foreigner, chosen by the fallen prince to be his bride. You won the King’s Contest by purposefully cheating. You’ve been shamed and shunned, only to rise above your station by refusing to accept the social code that’s dictated by class!”
“None of these show me in a good light!”
“Any sort of notoriety— no matter how terrible— is a way to power,” Magdalina insisted. “Dear girl, don’t you see you’ve becomeinteresting? That is the key to staying alive. You’ve been given a chance. Don’t throw it away.”
“Ethan’s life isn’t a game!” I wailed.
“Everythingis a game!” Lady Magdalina thundered. “And right now, the king and queen are winning. I suggest you figure out your next move, before you find yourself in checkmate!”
My head began to clear. Lady Magdalina was right. Elijah and Gabby were ahead. They were making their way across the chess board and picking up pieces.
