“The good news is that we know Mother won’t hurt Avery physically. If it were you or Veli, you would be lost to us, and everything would’ve been for nothing. Worst-case scenario is that she is held up in the dungeons, just as you had been,” Finn stated.
I huffed out a breath. “She will use this against me. She will use Avery againstus, and you know it. Whether it’s telling the realm a lie that her daughter once again supports her and that I’m a tyrant, or dangling her life in front of us.”
“Avery won’t break. She won’t give up our secrets. I know it,” Gage said, a lingering anger in his tone.
My eyes lifted to his and softened. “I know,” I whispered. “Gage, I’m so sorry.”
He held up a hand at me. “Forgive me, Elianna, for I know you’re our queen, but I don’t wish to hear your apology right now.” He paused for a moment as the veins in his neck throbbed, as if he were holding himself back from lashing out at me.
“Gage.Easy,” Jace growled before stepping in front of me.
Gage’s jaw ticked. “We’re going to get her back.”
“We are,” I whispered as I nodded slowly.
“I’ve never seen him this upset,” Jace said down the tether.
I couldn’t bear it—couldn’t even swallow with the sickening lump in my throat. “Even if I have to burn the castle to the fucking ground. I promise you, we will get her back,” I vowed.
My eyes drifted over the six of them. This was no longer a game for the throne. This was a matter of life and death for the realm, for my people, and for everyone who called Velyra home.
“Preparation is over. We move out in five days’ time and not a moment more. Bring everyone,” I ordered.
My feet moved me past them, and I began the walk back to the city. Alone.
Chapter fifty-eight
Avery
My eyes fluttered open,my body aching as I lay on the cold, dirt-covered ground. My vision was hazy, but I sat up as it cleared and noticed I was being held within the castle’s dungeons like some kind of criminal.
What the hell happened? I remembered running for the portal and Veli’s hand grabbing my own, and then everything went dark. Had they captured Lia and Veli, too? Would they even still be alive if they had? I was going to be sick.
A figure appeared before the cell door, and as I blinked, I realized it was Kellan. He stood there, unspeaking, watching me through the bars as if I were a caged animal.
“What do you want?” I managed to choke out as I stood from the floor.
The captain whistled at me, as if I were a whore in one of those brothels he loved so much. “The pretty little princess is out of her gowns and in fighting leathers now? Your mother will be most displeased.”
I stormed up to the bars. “And where is my dearest mother? She had me locked up in her dungeons as if I was a criminal?”
“Avery, that is exactly what you are to the crown. A treasonous criminal who vowed herself to the queen’s sworn enemy. Honestly, tsk tsk, little princess. Do you have anything to say for yourself?” he taunted.
My eyes bore into his. “Only that I would do it again.”
He let out a laugh. “I can’t wait to hear you say that to her,” he admitted as he unlocked the cell door and swung it open.
My body instinctively shifted into a fighting position.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news there, little love, but you are not your sister. Don’t put up a fight. You will only embarrass yourself.”
He stepped up to me, his arm extending to grab my own, when my opposite fist swung out and punched him straight in the side of his face. It caught him off guard, making him stumble back.
My fist was on fire from the impact, causing me to hiss. Despite the pain, a smirk slowly formed on my face, knowing I had landed at least one solid hit.
Kellan whipped toward me, the side of his face swollen and red. “You will regret that.”
He stormed up to me, clasped my arms behind my back faster than I could react, and clicked the heavy metal cuffs around my wrists.
