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“I heard your queen could heal with a single touch. It’s utterly fascinating.”
She was only steps away from me, and I had one chance to apprehend her. Time seemed to grind to a stop as I took a deep, steadying breath and readied to lunge. But before I could move, Lerissa appeared before me, the amber necklace dangling from her hands.
“Stop!” she cried, her arms spread wide in Diawen’s defense.
At that, Diawen looked over in awe at Lerissa and then flashed a smirk in my general direction, sure of her advantage. Tears shone in Lerissa’s eyes as she glanced back at Diawen.
“Do you know who I am?” she asked, her voice quivering.
Diawen nodded, her expression of awe deepening. “Yes. You’re my family.” She lifted her hands to Lerissa’s face. “I can feel our power coursing through your veins.”
With Diawen knowing I was there, I tore off my necklace. My temper was wearing thin. “You wanted me here and here I am. There are just a few problems we need to clear up.”
Diawen dropped her hands from Lerissa’s face and tilted her head. “What would that be?”
I felt rage flowing through me, boosting my determination for a fight. “My men are not going to die. I’ll kill Rogan myself and anyone else who comes near me, even you.”
Diawen’s smile grew larger. “Oh, Lia, I don’t doubt it. I already told your men I’m no fool. I have no intention of starting a war with the fae. Rogan wants to murder your lovers so he can be the leader of the Tyvar. That’s none of my concern. My only mission is to keep you from attempting to break the curse.”
I stared her down. “But why?”
Diawen’s startling blue eyes stayed fixed on me. “Because if you break it, we all lose.”
My stomach twisted at her response. “What do you mean?”
She stepped away from Lerissa and held out her arms like she was offering herself up for death. Lerissa’s eyes widened in shock, and she turned to me pleadingly for help, but I kept my gaze focused on Diawen.
Diawen lifted her chin defiantly in the air. “The Tyvar began with my blood, Your Highness. If you want to break the curse, you have to kill me. But know this”—she glanced over at Bayleon and Bastian before fixing her gaze back on me—“If you kill me, they all die. That is how you free them, Lia. It’s your choice to make; I’m right here.”
“I don’t believe a word out of her mouth,” Bastian snarled, his voice laced with anger. “Just kill her and be done with it.”
“Please,” Lerissa pleaded. “Don’t do it.”
Diawen stood there, her arms still outstretched in her surrender, her face determined and unwavering. I didn’t know what to believe. However, one thing was clear; it was a risk I couldn’t take.
Footsteps thundered on the ground just outside and I knew my time was up. The door suddenly crashed open and a group of Tyvar marched in, led by a tall man with broad shoulders and a cruel glint in his eye. It had to be Rogan. He was the one Bayleon and Bastian used to talk about, only now he didn’t seem like a friend. His gaze slid down my body, and I could see the hunger in his eyes.
“Good. You’re finally here. The festivities can now begin.”
There were four more men behind him, and they all advanced toward me. Diawen pulled Lerissa out of the way so they could get to me. I wanted to fight, but there were even more Tyvar outside the door. There was nowhere to go.
“What’s going to happen?” Lerissa called out, her voice trembling.
Diawen squeezed her arm and whispered something in her ear, but Lerissa’s face remained stoic. The four Tyvar circled me, a barrier of leather and steel preventing me from getting to Bayleon and Bastian, who were both strained against their bound wrists. Rogan stepped in front of Bayleon and Bastian, his face illuminated by the torches behind him. He slid a blade from behind his back, and the sharp sound of steel against leather filled the room. He leaned in and swiped the blade across Bayleon and Bastian’s chests in a single, smooth motion. Blood pooled onto the ground, and Bastian spat insults at Rogan while Bayleon remained rigid, his jaw clenched tightly.
“This ends tonight,” Rogan said, and he sheathed the blade with a soft click. He scanned the room, stopping when his gaze met mine. He motioned toward the Tyvar holding me and their grip tightened.
But before they could pull me away, Bayleon spoke up in a booming voice, “I warned you before and I’m saying it again. I see you. I’m going to kill every one of you who put your hands on what’s mine. Be ready.”
His words hung thick in the air, the promise of death lingering in the darkness. I could feel the terror radiating from the Tyvar, and then slowly, the grip on me loosened but tightened again when Rogan chuckled.
“You’ll be first to die tonight.”
Bayleon lifted his chin, his eyes blazing. “We’ll see about that.”
The Tyvar pushed me toward the door and Bastian shouted. “Why didn’t you just kill her, Lia? This would all be over.”
I was able to look back at him for a split second. “I couldn’t risk losing you,” I said before being pushed out the door.
