A muscle ticked in Araxis’s swollen jaw. “At her request, I delivered her to the Demon King.”
Wrong answer.
Brand slammed him into the ground, stone chips flying as he hissed, “You honestly expect me to believe she’d begyourhelp, just to escape to my own fucking home?”
“Not only did shedemandmy help,” Araxis choked through gritted teeth, vessels rupturing in the whites of his eyes, “but I dropped her at Lyriat’s feet and left before I could hear where she was going next, so it couldn’t be beaten out of me. For your sake, I hope she’s long gone and you never find her.”
Truth rang in the words, and a thread of panic wove its way into his fury.
Brand squeezed a little tighter. “The only reason I’m not beating you to an unrecognizable pulp is because it would take too long,” he seethed. “For your sake, I hope she’s still in Straelon. You’d better stay very fucking far away from me if she isn’t.”
“Lunara!”
Everyone in the great hall screeched to a halt as Brand roared his way through the portal into Straelon, forks and glasses poised halfway to silent mouths.
“Where is she?!”
A tiny squeak and skitter caught his attention, Nyri ducking under a table on the far side.
“Nyriadne!”
Those nearest her scattered, not stupid enough to stand in his way. They knew he wouldn’t hurt her, even though he probably looked like he was ready to rip every last one of them into pieces.
She poked her head back over the tabletop as he thundered over. “Shite.”
Hope sprang for the first time since waking. If she was hiding, she knew something. And it meant Araxis had told at least part of the truth.
“Brand, is this really necessary?”
“Aye, Vann is on to something. The witchling just needs a few days. She’ll come around.”
“Assuming she’s even still here—no, she won’t. He should leave it alone.”
“I probably wouldn’t speak if I were you, Araxis.”
“Ach, Vann again with the wisdom.”
Brand could only assume Mag and Vann had insisted on following to make sure Araxis survived the day. Why Araxis had insisted on coming was beyond him. His youngest brother was already fucking lucky he was still standing.
“Out, Nyri. Now.”
“I’m so sorry, I can’t hear— Eeee!”
Brand tossed the table away, dishes clattering. “You’re going to tell me where she is.”
“Where who is?”
“Don’t get fucking cute with me, Nyri. Where is Luna?”
“Luna… Luna…” She tapped her chin and pretended to think. “Nope, don’t know a Luna.”
Brand balled his fists and roared to the ceiling, seething when he bent close to her again. “I swear to the Sisters?—”
“She’s been instructed to say nothing.”
Brand’s head snapped to Lyriat, traipsing into the hall like it was any other fucking day. “Where is Luna?”
The king ignored him, his pointed attention on Nyri. “Go find Hedda.”
