Page 29 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

“No, don’t do this,” Erick begged. “Don’t give him what he wants!”

Kora swallowed, her chest aflame with acid, and refused to meet Erick’s gaze. Whereas Barron’s eyes swirled, brightening with each passing second. The atmosphere in the room thickened, a pressure building in her ears, her skin prickling with dread.

Barron had her just as he wanted.

“Firstly, let Agatha go free. She cannot work. She cannot be a slave. Let her live the remainder of her days in Aldara.” Kora’s spine straightened.

“I’m not leaving you to the likes of him,” Agatha spat at Barron. “I can smell you.”

Barron stilled, his stare sliding to her briefly. “Hush, deisa.”

Agatha’s mouth shut at the Devanian language. Kora froze, her brows furrowing as she tried to place the word. She couldn’t recall it, but it sounded similar to shift or change, like the seasonal weather.

“What does that mean?” Kora slipped into Devanian. Barron’s jaw ticked as Rashi scoffed at the language, complaining to Otto about its foulness.

“Stay with me, and I can teach you the entire language.” Barron’s persuasion was as enticing as being roasted on a spit.

Despair smothered Kora, her appetite fading as Barron preyed on her passion for history and discovery. He gestured for a servant to refill her plate. Her stomach no longer growled, and she grew queasy as Ivar slopped food onto her plate, the spoon screeching against the porcelain, setting her teeth on edge. His disdain dripped from him as he remained hidden by the mask, those black eyes pinned to the faintest rise of Theron’s back.

Somewhere deep inside, a flutter emerged. A purr entwining with the vibration. Kora squirmed in her chair, worried her body was about to implode in the worst possible way after the feast she’d just consumed.

“Secondly,” she continued, pushing past the nausea, and Bree spluttered outrageously. “You’re killing Theron. Look at him! The First Prince of Azaria is on Thanos’ door. King Staghart will attack the islands with full force in retaliation. The islands will die for your ignorance of his health. Let him return home.”

A single finger unfurled from Barron’s grasp, tapping his cheek in contemplation as he continued to regard Kora.

“I’m afraid I cannot meet this demand, pet. Theron must remain here.”

“Then stop whatever you’re doing to him!”

“You will not interfere with Your Grace’s plan,” Otto rumbled from the other end of the magnificent white and golden table. “Trust that we have the traitor’s best interests at heart.”

“What interests?” Kora’s voice rose, as that ringing filled her ears, a familiar haze blanketing her mind, tinging the edges of her vision red, whispering to her with violence. The vibration incensed, as her heart quickened. Was her water beast returning?

“That’s not of your concern,” Barron soothed. “I have a vision for our future, and Theron will play a pivotal role. We’re just getting him ready before shipping him off.”

Ivar slapped the plate of food down and Kora winced, mostly in fear his identity would be revealed if Blake paid close enough attention. Erick did a double-take, recognition flaring before schooling his features.

“Where?” Kora’s mouth dried as her heart threatened to pound out of her chest, the flutters visible through the swaths of the ghastly gown. “Where are you sending him?”

“This castle represents the old world, of the times we no longer speak of. You reminded me of this, of the statues still residing here.” Barron’s lips curled in disgust and coldness leaked into the air, frosting Kora’s skin. She shrank back as the thunderstorms in his eyes bled into the whites of his eyes, like mini coils of ink reaching out from his irises. “I have created a new haven for our future, and that’s where we’ll be travelling tomorrow.”

“If I agree?”

Barron nodded once. “I do hope you say yes. I told your friend you’d be coming to see him. He’s been most looking forward to it.”

Kora’s stomach plummeted, her bowels truly threatening to explode. “Sam? He’s there?”

“Rommier holds much promise. He’s proven to be a valuable warrior, and he works personally for me now.” Everyone fell silent as Barron’s black eyes glowed in the subtle light. Kora was lost for words as a creature stared back at her. Neither human, nor mage.

Samuel was trapped in Barron’s new kingdom—wherever that may be. He didn’t have the soul for war, or for combat. Anger pierced Kora’s chest, hot and suffocating, closely followed by desperation. She needed to save him. Samuel had sacrificed so much for her, and she had to return the favour.

“If you let Erick and Agatha go, I’ll come with you.”

“No!” Erick bellowed, followed by Agatha’s usual chiding.

Bree stood, slamming her hands on the table. “She’s supposed to power the velesma! I want my power back!”

Blake paled next to her. Followed by a furrow lining his brow, whipping his head in the direction of the doors. The ringing increased as voices heightened across the table.