“Find her!” Casone shouted.
Several soldiers peeled off, and a man and a woman were shoved forward.
“Mom!” Em shouted, and moved toward her parents.
Amund grabbed Em, blocking her from rushing into danger.
Casone looked at the couple. They’d been beaten, their lips gashed, their clothing torn. “My cousin was kind enough to tell me where you were.” He looked around. “Not my preference for a love nest, but to each his own. Some women like dangerous men, and you’ve certainly shown Lexandra danger by taking her to the graves.”
Fae healed quickly. The injuries Em’s parents bore weren’t healing. Which meant their powers were being controlled and they’d been beaten until their healing slowed.
“Child,” Em’s father said. “Do not be afraid.”
Em whimpered.
And then Casone made the motion he’d made earlier. Only this time, his power hit its mark.
Em’s mother and father were sealed in an ice block in suspended animation.
Garrin winced. He’d seen his father mete out the punishment before, but never outside of battle. Fae survived in his father’s blocks of ice, but they were unable to move, frozen for eternity.
Em wept and turned her head into Amund’s chest. The warrior held her, his eyes on the king and promising vengeance.
Casone caught Amund’s look and laughed.
Lex inched closer to Garrin, and he moved to shield her with his body.
“This isn’t necessary,” Garrin said. “Your cousin helped me protect Lex. There are some who would harm her.” His father, for one, but the Dark King was nothing if not desperate for approval and adoration. If Garrin made it look like Casone was the savior, there was a chance he would release them.
His father studied Garrin. “They are no innocents.” He glanced at Felix, who finally looked at Garrin.
“My prince, I am sorry. Please—”
Casone froze Felix mid-sentence. He motioned for one of his soldiers, and the Fae threw the ice tombs of Felix and Em’s parents out of the cave and over the steep cliff using telekinetic magic.
Em’s scream filled the air, and Amund held her close.
Garrin’s chest tightened. His father had sentenced Mertha’s husband to an icy grave, never to pass into the afterlife and be with this wife. The king wasn’t playing by any rules that mattered, except his own.
Casone observed the back of his hand as though there was something interesting there. “Tell me, son, why would you stay in the ice tombs and not the castle? You were hiding, were you not?”
Garrin didn’t answer, and his father shot him a knowing look. He peered past Garrin.
“Amund.” Casone tsked. “After all this time, you’ve come to help me fight another battle. Make yourself useful and create a portal for me and my son. His betrothed will also be joining us.”
“No.” Garrin shot a warning look to Amund.
His father’s eyes flared. “You dare disobey me, Garrin?” He glared at Amund. “Amund Ridel, soldier of the Dark Kingdom army. Do your duty and create the portal.”
Amund’s eyes flashed with hatred. “I refuse.”
33
Lex clenched her hands together. They were screwed. The king had frozen their friends and tossed them out like rubbish. Camille was gone, and now the king had ordered Amund to return her and Garrin to the castle.
“Do it now or pay for your disobedience,” the king said to Amund.
Amund exchanged a glance with Garrin, and said, “I will create a portal, Your Majesty.”
