Their laughter echoed through the throne room like a curse.
Then a sound cut through the chamber, muffled at first, before swelling louder. Shouts, steel ringing, the clang of armor, and clashing of blades. Then several screams cut too short to mean the person was still living.
Syrena straightened, her smile tightening as her head tilted toward the doors. Azarian shifted uneasily, jaw clenched. The elven woman’s head snapped up, eyes burning with a sudden, desperate hope that almost made Syrena grin.
Silence came suddenly after.
And then?—
BANG.
The massive doors flew open, crashing against the walls hard enough to send cracks spiraling through the ancient stone. Smoke and shadow spilled through the threshold like a living tide.
Draevyn stepped in first, flame licking over his shoulders and crawling down his arms, his eyes molten embers that locked ontoSyrena. She didn’t miss the three brutal scars slashed across one of them as his stare remained on her with a predator’s focus.
Lephyrin’s new king stalked just behind him, shadows curling at his boots, already reaching in several directions. And then the rest of their crew poured in, their weapons raised.
Finally.
“Well,” Syrena purred, placing her hands on her hips, “it’s about fucking time, boys.”
Her eyes flicked to the chained female, then back to them, lingering just long enough to make her meaning clear.
The king’s breath caught when his gaze snapped to his soon-to-be wife and queen.
“Elowynne!” he bellowed.
Golden eyes lifted, wide and dripping with tears as they locked onto his. “Atlas,” she rasped, voice barely more than a broken whisper.
Oh, please.Syrena suppressed rolling her eyes.
Shadows surged along Atlas’s shoulders, his rage spilling out on display. “Release her!”
Syrena could tell he was aching to run to his bride, to tear the chains apart with his teeth.
A sharp laugh sliced through the air as Syrena squared her shoulders, watching him. “Oh… look at him. So devoted. Soin love.” Her voice dripped with mockery, sweet as poison.
She tilted her head, feigning pity as her tone sank into venom. “Did you miss her, shadow king? Did your heart ache for her while she rotted in chains?”
“Enough!” Atlas bellowed, shadows thickening, his fingers twitching at his sides.
“Aw, so protective,” she crooned, her smile curling sharp. “Why don’t you come and take her, then? She’s right there, isn’t she? What’s stopping you?”
“Atlas, don’t you fucking move,” Draevyn ordered. “She’s baiting you.”
Syrena’s eyes turned to him, and she gave him a dainty wave with her fingers. “So lovely to see you, Draevyn. Now, tell me, is yourbrother aware ofwhobrought his wife here in chains to begin with?” She clicked her tongue.
Both brothers went rigid.
“After all, Esmyraisthe one who dragged Elowynne here. Bloodied and screaming for mercy.” Syrena flashed them her teeth.
Atlas snapped. He lunged forward as shadows shot like black spears across the floor, rushing toward her.
Typical.
Her smile widened. “Not so fast.”
Syrena unleashed her power then.
