Page 34 of The Fallen Fae King

The magic from the lodestone intensifies, humming as if it can sense it is about to be tested.

It is hungry to be used.

“Spark,” Daire repeats like a prayer.

I press the Bone of the Gods hard against one of the dragon bracelets and then the other, as I hold Daire’s wrists above his head.

Then I drop the lodestone like it has burned me. “Can you feel anything?”

For a long moment, there is no sound in the room apart from our breathing, which feels too loud in the chamber.

Finally, Daire shakes his head. “Nay, nothing.”

But then, his brow scrunches up. “Wait, a sparking sensation like embers. Nay, the bracelets are burning. Move away, now.”

“Fuck off.” I cling to him more tightly.

With a growl, Daire shoves me off him onto the other side of the bed, clutching his wrists to himself.

Then he screams.

To my shock, the drapes rise up, forming a living cloud of moths, which circle us protectively.

“Daire.” I bat at the moths, struggling to see the fae through the rippling storm of white.

The powder-soft bodies of the moths brush against my lips, cheeks, and eyes.

They tangle in my hair.

Half-blinded by the living snow, I throw myself forward.

I stare in horror at Daire’s thrashing body, trying to hold him down by his shoulders, but he’s too strong. I am hurled back with a grunt of pain against the headboard.

Daire is howling. His body contorts with pain.

Yet he manages to keep his wrists above his head, still hopeful.

“Idiot,” I weep. “Fucking idiot…”

Daire’s wings beat in his agony, and I can’t even hold onto one in comfort.

Suddenly, I catch movement at his wrists.

The metal of his bracelets glints and glimmers.

Daire’s screams increase in volume; I have never heard anyone in such pain.

Yet he’s not crying.

His eyes are glassy.

Can he even see me now? Does he know where he is?

The metal of his bracelets unexpectedly flashes like it is warming up to an intense heat, scorching Daire’s wrists. Daire shakes. But then, the metal snakes off Daire’s wrists, sinking into the bedding.

It worked.

Despite all this pain, it fucking worked.