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But I never get the chance to test that overconfident theory because a wall of ice shoots from the wooden floor of the bridge, trapping me.
Oh, hell no. I pivot a second before slamming into the clear wall and dive for the stone balustrade, prepared to jump off the side and into the water—
A cold shock of pain slams into me, jerking me around to face the threat. Inara has her hand up, a blast of ice magic poised to freeze me solid.
Bane frowns and touches his sister’s arm. “You can’t. Remember?”
So Hellebore didn’t lift his protection. Not that Inara seems to care at this particular moment. I remember her words to Valerian. Her desperation.
This is Inara throwing a tantrum.
“I promise you, Inara, you don’t want to do this. We both know Hellebore. You might be tough and scary, but he’s a whole different level of monster.”
I can see the truth of my statement resonate in her expression, a healthy dose of fear pinching the corners of her lips.
Her chest heaves as she slowly drops her hand. “There will come a day when both princes tire of you. When that happens, I’m going to destroy you.”
Sticks and stones, Summer. Sticks. And. Stones.
Her words might not harm me, but the malice pouring from her entire being cuts deep, and I believe every word she says.
“I’m not your enemy,” I say, willing her to finally see that. “And I never meant to get between you and the prince.”
“Of course you did,” she snarls. Both Bane and Kimber hold her back as her lips peel back, revealing fully extended canines. “Stop pretending you’re not just like us. If you truly were good, if your goody-two-shoes mortal act was real, you would leave him alone before you ruin his life forever.”
Ruin. His. Life. Forever.
I blink at the implication of those words as a hollow feeling swells inside my chest. But before my tongue can form a reply, the new Six leave, laughing as Lyra makes some joke undoubtedly about me.
Kimber’s eyes find mine through the veil she wears to ward off the sun. I can’t read if the look she gives me is her feeling sorry for me or she’s just needing a quick snack. I suppose it doesn’t matter, anyway.
She’s chosen her side.
Rhaegar is the last to leave. Basil paces nervously near the other end of the bridge, looking between the others and Rhaegar. I try to force my way past the Summer Evermore, but he steps in front of me.
I’d forgotten how big he is, his six-foot-five body practically filling the bridge path.
“Move,” I order.
He laughs, but it doesn't reach his dark eyes. “I can make this easier for you. Just say the word and when the Ice Prince tires of you—which he will, Summer—I can hide you away in the Summer Court. I have powerful friends that can protect you from Inara.”
“But not from you.”
“You did humiliate me in front of everyone. That can’t go unpunished. But I’ll be gentler than Inara.”
I glare at him. “There’s always a price with you Evermore. What would I pay for your protection?”
“Do you think your prince is any different? That he doesn’t want something from you?” His shoulder-length reddish-gold hair falls into his eyes as he leans in. “I would have treated you like royalty. Now I won’t be satisfied until you’re on your hands and knees, begging for my help. That’s my price.”
Mother. Forker. I’ve worked really hard these last few months on my temper. On rising above and ignoring and increasing my odds of staying alive.
But something inside me snaps. First Inara, then Hellebore, now this douche canoe . . . I’m done.
Smiling, I reach up and grab a firm hold of both his shoulders. Rhaegar is so sure I’m about to beg him for help that he doesn’t see my knee until it’s ramming between his legs.
A surprised yelp explodes from his throat. He stumbles back, eyes glazed . . . and then, in some cosmic form of poetic justice, falls to his knees.
“You first,” I snarl.
