Page 76 of The Masked Princess

Annalise’s heart broke into a million frozen pieces.

She screamed her grief and her fury at losing the man she loved.

She didn’t know how long she screamed, but when her voice finally gave out, she collapsed next to Soren’s side, completely spent. From her obstructed view lying on the floor, she could only see the rapidly spreading pool of Soren’s blood, a myriad of shoes and the colorful hems of dresses.

The colors felt like a personal affront. Soren wasn’t breathing and, unlike before, there was no way this was a trick of Nelan’s. She’d felt the life drain out of him, and her future seemed as gray as the cold stone floors.

She’d get up and avenge his death; she just needed a moment to grieve.

One breath. Two breaths. Three breaths and her grief turned into a raging fire that threatened to burn her from the inside out. Something would burn. No, someone would burn. Annalise would make sure that Nelan didn’t leave the room alive if it was the last thing that she did.

She rocked to her feet, eyes tracking the thin trail of blood to the dais where the Rhinnean king sat with an attendant bathing the wound on his shoulder.

“You broke your word to him. You are as dishonorable as you are a coward, and you will pay for it with your life,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Don’t act so surprised; he should have known I’d renege on my promise.” Nelan waved his hand in the air as if a lazy fly buzzed around him. “Now, come back to the dais and we’ll finish our ceremony.”

“I would rather die than marry you.”

“Die? No, I can’t have that… but alternatives can be arranged. Guards, take her into custody,” Nelan said in a bored voice, as if he was ordering a snack tray.

Annalise was ready for them. She grabbed her knife from her pocket and slashed at her fingertips, then cut a line along her cheek for good measure, just in case her fingers didn’t bleed as much as she hoped.

Fortunately, Nelan’s penchant for theatrics and pageantry meant that the guards standing at the front of the room were in decorative dress and not wearing protective gear. A flick of her fingertips and the guard closest to her was sprayed with several droplets of blood. Immediately the skin around his face and neck turned purple, and he brought his hands to his face and turned away, screaming.

She had time to infect two more guards before they backed away far enough to give her a wide berth while still keeping themselves between her and Nelan.

Annalise growled and stepped forward, only for Nelan to shake his head and raise his finger. “Ah, ah, ah, I wouldn’t do that before you consider the consequences. If you’re going to act like a mad dog, I’ll be forced to treat you like one.”

A line of guards spread out from behind the throne and Annalise froze when she saw them drawing bows aimed directly at her.

A sense of calm settled over her. After this, there was no way that Nelan would let her get close to him. She had only one chance to take him out, and it was now. She didn’t look behind her at Priscilla or Elsabeth; she’d told her maids to run, and they’d chosen their own path, just as she must choose hers.

She could feel the blood dripping down her skin and pooling in the palms of her hand. All she needed was for a few drops to hit Nelan, and the Goddess would take care of the rest. Annalise shifted her weight over the balls of her feet and tensed her muscles for one final explosive push.

CHAPTER 56

Soren’s side was on fire.

Scratch that, his entire body felt like a mage had wrapped tiny spiders in hot broken glass, and told them to crawl over his skin and through every vein. He wanted to scream, but his mouth wouldn’t open. He wanted to claw out his eyes just to have something to focus on besides the never-ending burning, but his hands wouldn’t move and his eyes wouldn’t open.

He could still hear, although it was like listening to someone shouting through a thick stone wall.

Suddenly, a pinpoint of something bright, soft, and blue flared to life in the darkness, and the burning abated. Like a piece of wood held down under water and then released, the pain and pressure coursing through his body rapidly lessened even as the light grew closer with each passing breath.

A warm sensation spread through his body as if he were filled to the brim with sunlight. His muscles relaxed, and he inhaled deeply. If this was dying, then beyond the initial unpleasantness, it really wasn’t so bad. The gentle warmth continued to spread, and a tingling followed, as if his entire body had been asleep for far too long and his limbs were waking up.

For the first time in a very long time, Soren was at peace. Annalise would be okay; they would all be okay. The Goddess would take care of her, and when it was time for her to return to the Goddess’s embrace, he’d be there waiting to welcome her as well. He might have to wait a little, but what was a few years when he could spend the rest of eternity with the woman he desperately loved?

The light drew ever closer, and Soren closed his eyes at its brilliance. A wave of cool air brushed over his face, and the muffled sounds solidified. He opened his eyes, ready to see what kind of life occurred after death, only to find himself staring at the ceiling of the Rhinnean throne room. The blue light he’d seen was actually one of the many windows set high in the wall that afforded a view of the sky outside.

“Guards, take her into custody.” Nelan’s distant voice pierced through the haze and the reality of the situation crashed on Soren like a breaking wave.

He gasped, rolled to his side, and groaned. “Oh great Fire God’s breath, that hurt. I hope I never have to do that again.”

“No, wait, don’t shoot him yet. It’s been so long since we had any real entertainment. Healer, you may continue attending to my shoulder,” Nelan said, although his voice sounded as though it was far away.

Soren shook his head and opened his jaw wide. His ears popped, and sound rushed in.