Page 26 of The Last Syphon

She wasn’t sure if she even could.

“They have done nothing to warrant your wrath.”

“They harbour a criminal of the Crown. Such an act is also punishable by death.”

“At this rate, I’m surprised you have anyone left in your kingdom. Is every crime punishable by death?”

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

Gasps of horror rang from the villagers at her side. Guilt swirled in her chest. Her gaze moved amongst them. Lexen, the owner of the tavern. Moria, the mother of four youthens hiding in the tunnels below. Zave, Lina, and Ralf, the Drunken Trio. Venerable Cias. Felix. Each face brought forth another wave of guilt over what she had done.

What she had caused.

This wasn’t their fault, and they shouldn’t have to pay the price for her actions. To make an enemy of the Crowned Family of Arelia would ensure their deaths.

Inara could not allow that to happen.

Felix shook his head, reading her thoughts as if they were his own. “Don’t do it,” he mouthed.

Her smile was filled with sadness.

Looking back at the Crowned Prince, Inara straightened her spine, determination flowing in her veins.

She would hand herself over⁠—

“My Prince, if I may?”

Inara’s gaze whipped to Venerable Cias in shock. He hobbled forward, one hand leaning heavily on his cane, the other up in a placating gesture.

What is that old fool doing?

The Crowned Prince looked at him. Recognition flared across his face. “Venerable Cias. I should have known you would be the one behind such treachery.”

What in the realm does that mean?

“It is not what you think, my Prince. This is all a grave misunderstanding.”

He arched an eyebrow. Slowly, he floated down to the ground, his wicked gaze never leaving Venerable Cias. “Is that so? Tell me, what part of this is open to interpretation? I see an inhabitant of the realm, sitting on a Guardian of Arelia, without permission from the Crown.”

“It was an accident, my Prince.”

“An accident?” he repeated in a harsh whisper.

Venerable Cias nodded, taking another cautious step forward. Inara’s shield shimmered in the light of the blazing sun between them. “Inara came upon the dragon by chance. She fell into its cavern and accidentally awoke it from its slumber. It then selected her as its Chosen.”

“You expect me to believe one of the oldest Guardians in existence chose her as its Chosen? That there is no magic playing a part in the shadows?”

Inara didn’t like his fucking tone. Like she wasn’t good enough to be a Chosen. “I am the strongest Shielder in the Borderlands.”

You’re the only Shielder in the Borderlands, her mind whispered. But she actively chose to ignore that.

“A feat easily accomplished, I am sure,” the Crowned Prince drawled.

Her mouth dropped open in outrage. That fucking— She flung her arm out to the side and called on her magic. A gold, translucent disk formed in her hand, spinning quickly over her palm. Let’s see what you have to say about this⁠—

“Inara.” Her anger-filled gaze fell to Venerable Cias. “Do not.”

A growl rumbled in her throat, and it sounded eerily like one from Fraener. The Crowned Prince watched closely, his head tilting to the side in assessment as he eyed the gold disk hovering above her open palm.