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Veins bulged in my father’s neck. “ButIdidn’t make a bargain with her!”
I shrugged. “Perhaps not, but you know how the gods are. If a fairy isn’t given what a bargain promises, punishment follows.”
As though to prove my point, the ceiling above us shattered when an explosive bolt of lightning hit it. All of us ducked, covering our heads as my father cast an air Shield around us at the last moment. Debris rained down, and Drachu’s cursing ratcheted up when more screams filled the air.
“What kind of kingdom is this?” Drachu’s green eyes narrowed upon my father. He coughed and fanned the air. Dust billowed around us. “You can’t even control your firstborn.”
Smirking, I straightened and crossed my arms as the ground shifted beneath us again. Far below, beneath the keep in the dungeons, my mate waited. I knew she felt the carnage above. Fear bled through the bond, but something else did too—curiosity. She was still safe. The gods wouldn’t allow her to be harmed in their wrath, but it could prove tricky getting to her if my father didn’t free her soon.
“Stop this now!” my father bellowed in my face.
Drachu muttered a sound of disgust while I dusted my fingernails off on my shirt. “It will stop, my king, just as soon as you free Ilara Seary, daughter of Mervalee Territory, and allow her to return home.”
The king’s nostrils flared, and his cheeks turned a blazing crimson. His entire body vibrated, and I’d never felt such satisfaction in all of my life.
“Guards!” he abruptly yelled. “Release Ilara Seary!”
CHAPTER 7 - ILARA
Hope began to beat in my chest. The sound of groaning came from far above, and Georgyanna let out another shriek. The Kroravee native’s gaze darted fearfully upward, then to the exit.
“Are you done with your gloating then?” I eyed Georgyanna vehemently through the bars.
The witch fumed even though fear shone in her eyes. Atop her head, her glittering crown was now covered in dust. I knew she’d worn it on purpose. It was as though she was doing everything in her power to rattle me and remind me that she’d ultimately won the Rising Queen Trial, and that she was going to remain the victor even if I was mated and eternally bound to the crown prince.
Until an hour ago, I would have been inclined to agree with her, but now...
Perhaps the gods had another plan in store for me that my mate seemed hell-bent on fulfilling.
Georgyanna’s lip curled. A tendril of her oily manipulation affinity coated my Shield. Another blast echoed at the castle’s surface just as Georgyanna tried to work her way through my protective magic.
And feeling her affinity try to take a hold of me, in a time when I was already stressed and anxious, just as she’d done to me at the stadium during our final test...
Snarling, I surged forward in my cell until my fingers curled around the cold bars. Magic rumbled in my gut. I called upon my air affinity. Shooting it toward Georgyanna, I punched right through her Shield until my affinity spiraled down her throat and coiled around the air in her lungs.
Her eyes widened, and she clutched her neck.
Anotherboomshook the castle, rattling the dungeon’s bars, as I drew all of the air from Georgyanna’s chest.
“You’re not the only one who can make threats, Georgyanna.” I forced her toward me on a gust of air, then with lightning-fast reflexes that had my warrior affinity humming, I spun her and had my arm locked around her neck, trapping her in a headlock with her back against the bars.
She thrashed, kicking and struggling, but my warrior strength held her firm.
Leaning through the bars, I whispered in her ear, “If you ever hurt me or anyone I love ever again, I’m coming for you.” I held up my hand, showing her theeternal mark that glimmered subtly on my finger. “You willneverbe queen of the Solis continent. The prince and I are eternally wed. The only one who will ever wear the queen’s crown is Queen Lissandra, and if not her, then me.”
I pushed Georgyanna away from me just as I released my air affinity’s hold on her.
She fell to the ground, coughing and hacking. Tears filled her eyes when she glared up at me.
I bared my teeth, and she recoiled. I could only imagine the sight I made. No bathing had been offered in the dungeons, but I’d been able to self-cleanse using my magic. But even strong magic couldn’t conjure a comb. And dust had been raining on my head since the destruction started. No doubt my hair was a fright.
A howl of rage worked up Georgyanna’s throat, but then she shot to her feet and took off down the hall before taking flight, flapping her wings as fast as they could carry her. More dust fell from the ceiling as whatever battle was being waged above strengthened.
The cell block grew eerily silent after the steel door banged closed behind her. All eyes fell upon me. More than a few of the prisoners’ gazes were wary and fearful, although some shone with respect. But when I shifted my attention to them, they all quickly looked away and went back to yelling and calling for the guards to free them.
Only Vorl remained watching me, but when I glanced his way, he ducked his head.
He still sat in the corner of his cell, his jaw tight asanother rumble shook the castle. I had no doubt that if I had Norivun’s sensory affinity, I’d be detecting fear in his scent.
