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The king backhanded her so hard that she careened into the rough cave wall and crumpled in a daze. Following, he grabbed her limp form, hauling her upright, his fist clamped hard around her throat above the thin band of metal.
Kymri felt the truth of her words strike her heart. “Jori, I won’t allow it! I’ll do everything in my power to protect that sanctuary—you know it!” She was as willing to destroy herself as Elora had been.
“You’re both tedious. I made the mistake of letting this one live among us.” Richmund waved toward Elora’s limp form. “You, I think I’ll keep out of sight until I wish to use you.”
“I’d like to see you fucking try.” she challenged him.
He approached her, a grin splitting his face, “I grow weary of niceties and ritual. It’s time to just get on with things.” His hand grabbed her crotch. “When I’ve had my fill of you, maybe I’ll let my loyal men have theirs, then we’ll go find this island and take what is rightfully ours.”
Merwin laughed, “I look forward to it.”
“I’ll kill you if you try,” Kymri snarled.
“This is going to be fun. Go on, struggle,” he gripped her harder, “that’s more fun.”
Kymri was jostled and Clive’s knife nicked her throat as Stenlen slammed into him. Suddenly free of restraint, Kymri knocked into the king, throwing her forehead into his face before stumbling toward Elora’s prone form.
Stenlen struggled against Clive and Merwin to gain control of the knife.
The king staggered from the impact, clutching his face as blood streamed from his nostrils.
Jori roared, his jaws coming down over the king, shaking him like a rag doll and whipping him across the length of the cavern to slam against the wall. As soon as he hit the floor, Jori’s paw came down, his claw impaling the king’s chest.
The shackles fell away.
Kymri and Elora were free.
Clive and Merwin froze.
The king was dead.
All of those gathered that had remained in the recesses to watch the proceedings stood silent, staring at the king’s body. Most were expressionless. Some looked satisfied. They all looked to Jori, who unwaveringly stared back at them. They eventually began sinking to a knee before him.
Long live the king.
Jori’s large head swung toward Clive and Merwin, snarling. Terror filled their faces.
“I think he is displeased with you,” Stenlen said dryly.
Kymri’s hand touched his snout, drawing his attention. She was pale and smelled of the blood that slid from her wound.
The haze of rage subsided. He blinked at her.
“Release the magic, Jori.”
He wasn’t sure how. But he concentrated on her face and being able to speak to her. Slowly, the room shimmered and he descended to her level.
He struggled to stop the trembling that wracked his body as Kymri slid into his embrace.
“The first time shocks the body, it doesn’t know what to do with the power.”
He gripped her hard against him, breathing in the scent of her hair.
He had just killed a man. He had killed his biological father.
He opened his eyes, seeking out his mother.
She stood just behind Kymri, her eyes drinking him in.
