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The moment we stepped out of the wagon, I knew we weren’t going to see real royalty, but I enjoy the way this faker’s nostrils flare at the dig.
Green eyes flash with anger. “Do not utter that blasphemous name in my presence.”
A boot lands on my back, making me drop to my knees. The iron netting digs into my flesh, burning me through the barrier of my pants. With a whimper, Hannah grabs my shoulder before lowering herself next to me without argument. More than likely, she’s not kneeling to bow down to anyone—she’s probably having trouble staying upright.
“Show some respect, minion,” Zetipher orders. “Pay homage to the one true king. Hail King Envy.”
All the soldiers in the room repeat the chant like the brainwashed men they are.
The false king raises his chin haughtily. “I am Ackealenvyos the Fifty-fourth, rightful king of the Day Realm. My title is quite the mouthful, so you may call me King Envy for short.”
“Fifty-fourth?” I parrot, wondering if I heard him correctly.
“Yes. Every firstborn child in my family line has been named after Ackealenvyos the First, naturally.”
“Naturally,” Hannah quietly deadpans, and I nudge her with my elbow.
I don’t mind getting kicked around a bit for a disrespectful remark, but I’d lose it if they start beating on my woman.
“So, King Envy,” I go along with his delusion. “What have I done to earn the honor of your attention?”
Appeased by my compliance, he relaxes on his throne of rock and steeples his hands. “You are Ellister, Gatekeeper of the Night Realm, born under King Zerberos, are you not?”
Curious and a bit shocked, my eyebrows draw together.
He knows my entire title; the name I was granted by my parents and the royals of my time. I thought that knowledge would’ve been long forgotten by now.
“What if I am?” I inquire apprehensively.
“Then it is me who is honored. Let’s make you more comfortable, yes?” One flick of Envy’s hand loosens the iron net, and I let out a sigh of relief when it falls away.
Next, the shackles on my wrists drop. All the iron slinks away as if it has a life of its own.
Telekinesis? Rare and impressive. The ability is usually linked to wizardry and sometimes it’s accompanied by other magical talents.
Although my body is damaged from the iron, I feel my power coming back.
My chance to get away is here.
I need a minute to recover, then I can vortex us away.
Unfortunately, a second later, a gold necklace floats across the room. Hannah gasps with surprise as the chain makes its way around my neck and clasps in the back.
The suppression of my power is instantaneous.
A Valonite necklace.
I touch the warm metal. “How did you get this?”
King Envy just smiles secretively.
It’s Vaeront’s design. A bunch of rectangular gold plates hang from a chain, getting larger toward the middle. Inside the biggest plate, there’s a little shard of Valonite. The gold acts as a conduit, allowing the gem to suppress my power without hurting me.
Some might say this is the humane way to hinder a fae, but I’ve worn one of these too many times for my liking. Although it might look expensive and luxurious, it’s a collar meant to keep me in line. If it’s like the necklaces I know, the only way to get it off is with a tiny key.
Until then, I’ll be useless.
But how does Envy have one of these? The collars weren’t invented until much farther in the future, after Merina freed us from the Lost Land and got Vaeront the resources he needed to create them.
