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I also knew what she was about to do. So, I picked up my skirts and ran toward Rivven, who had just lobbed a fireball at Balram, narrowly avoiding a burst of air that would have torn his arm off.

I could see it all so clearly now—even without squinting—the way the ether danced around their magic. The intention behind it. It was a musical instrument and could be played softly or with a harsh stroke.

Balram was too focused on Rivven to see what was happening behind him. Rivven’s mother rushed at the stone, the same determination and strength in her that I’d witnessed in my time with the mountain elves of the cloud peaks. With a battle cry worthy of the strongest fighter, she brought both fists down on the crystal. It burst into pieces, shooting out in all directions like shrapnel.

Everyone’s attention turned to the spot where Rivven’s mother collapsed to the ground, one large shard embedded in her side.

“You bitch!” screamed Balram, lunging toward her.

Rivven moved to intercept him, but I caught him around the wrist and tugged. The pain etched into his face made me swallow down the sorrow it caused.

I forced words out like I wasn’t breaking into a million pieces right along with him. Like my heart wasn’t shattering the way the crystal had. “I promised her we’d go,” I said, proud that there was only the slightest wobble to my voice. “Don’t let her sacrifice be in vain.”

The pure agony on his face was so raw it stole my breath. But I hung on to him like a lifeline, hoping he wouldn’t fight me. I didn’t know if I had it in me to force him to go. If he’d ever forgive me for that. Or even if I could forgive myself.

He swallowed, his throat bobbing as he glanced over at his mother, Balram looming above her. She clutched the piece of crystal protruding from her side, blood flowing over her long fingers, and stared back at Rivven instead of up at the shadow of death hovering over her.

“Go,” she mouthed.

Rivven pressed his eyes closed, deciding something, then spun around and pulled me after him. As we rounded the steps toward what I prayed was freedom, I reached out an open palm. A large chunk of the broken crystal sailed into my hand, and I closed my fingers around it.

Then we were gone like bandits in the night.

Sixteen

Leuruna

The minute Rivven tugged us toward the door, I shoved Nyah out of the way and reclaimed my body. I’d told her I’d wait until she relinquished control, but I couldn’t stand it anymore. While I’d watched, I’d been completely helpless, unable to take control of my own body. It had not been a welcome sensation. And now that she’d freed Rivven, I had to make sure he didn’t force her to leave. Not without Torvo.

It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Nye at her word—it was him I worried about. Trust was one thing, and it wasn’t like I didn’t feel for his situation, I just needed to be sure we all made it out.

What my father had done to Rivven’s mother made my blood run cold. I didn’t even want to think about all he might actually have inflicted on her beyond what we’d seen, but when I saw her naked, bruised body, the memories I tried so hard to bury threatened to break free. How long had she been there? I’d never known that chamber existed until now. I already hated the man I was forced to call Father, but seeing this unfold—proof he tortured others and not just me. Proof he did more than look the other way…

I swallowed down the desire to hide and followed the man who held my hand, cloaking us in illusion so that even if others stared at us directly, we would simply blend into whatever was behind us. We sailed out of Father’s quarters and down multiple flights of stairs. I did not know where to search for Torvo. But if Rivven veered toward the gates, I’d stop him. My prince had to be here somewhere. I needed to know he was safe.

We reached the last staircase again, this time flying past the guards who’d stopped me earlier. They didn’t know we were right beside them. Suddenly, hundreds of faces came into view, along with an overwhelming wave of sound that threatened to pull me under and into one of my trances.

It was the buzz of conversation, the faces of the guests who’d come to see me wed. There was a nervousness in the air, likely since the ceremony had been delayed. But still they all seemed content and casual, as though people weren’t being tortured and murdered right above their heads. I wanted to scream at them, to drop the illusion and enlighten them as to my father’s treachery.

But they all knew he was evil, if Torvo’s stories were any indication. He’d told me about how word had found its way throughout the kingdoms, and people were too afraid to rise up. No, they dressed in finery and came to weddings to pretend to be happy, instead.

I hated them all. I wanted to lash out at them suddenly, these fake people who cared nothing for me or my prince. They just put on masks so they could continue to live their lives as free from Father’s intervention as possible. They probably wouldn’t even lose their smiles if they found out he was upstairs killing a woman right now. They’d just swallow it down inside somewhere and justify it later.

Had that been what I’d done? All these years of hiding and cowering, had I simply played a part and ignored the truth? But what could I have done to stop him? Something, anything.

Clutching the shard of crystal Nyah had called to our palm, I began to shake. I was about to drop our illusion and force everyone here to search the castle, when I spotted Torvo. The tension in my shoulders eased when I saw him standing so handsome, so tall, so strong at the altar of the gods right outside in the courtyard. Right where he was supposed to be. He looked amazing in his golden cloak and stark white suit beneath, gloved hand on the hilt of a sword, and eyes racing back and forth over the crowd, searching.

I released Rivven’s hand and ran for him.

“Nyah,” Rivven hissed behind me, keeping pace. “I can’t see you well through the illusion. Why did you let go?”

With a sigh I turned and grasped his hand again. “It’s me now. Rune,” I informed him. “And we are getting Torvo so we can leave together.”

I expected a fight, but instead he picked up his pace and took the lead on the way to Torvo.

Rufus stood beside my prince, dressed in full regalia, a supposed bodyguard for him. But I didn’t trust him. A commotion started at the top of the stairs. Guards pulling swords raced down the steps into the crowd, causing an uproar. Torvo’s height seemed to increase several inches as he straightened to better survey the room.

We were almost there, close enough for me to hear when Rufus snapped at a guard, “What’s happening?”