Now do you see?
My magic not only fought the darkness inside of me, but it wrapped itself around that tether to Lana. Protecting it.
I must do the same.
“I can throw you into the volcano in Firestone—after my army tortures you. Though brutal, your death will enhance my weapon there.” My attention caught on his words, and I tried not to show too much interest. “Or…my monster’s shadows can kill you here.” Thames had no intention of letting the man go without turning him. This scare tactic had worked on plenty of Fae for the past few hours. Although his mention of the weapon was a new addition.
Thames leaned in, a repulsive sneer on his face as he hissed at the man. “The choice is yours.”
The prisoner held on to his conviction, refusing to turn. I had to admire him for his fortitude. Though the evil inside me relished the disobedience for what it would get to do, I couldn’t stop the sense of pride at the man’s strength.
“Volcano,” the man spat. “And I’ll be sure every single one of your minions gets infected with thetruthbefore they destroy me.”
Thames chuckled and glanced my way, ignoring the man momentarily. “One good thing your weak father did before I returned was beginning my creation at Firestone.” He turned back to the man, a bored sort of indifference falling over his face. “There is nothing but darkness there, I’ve ensured it.”
It took more of my willpower than I cared to admit to stay standing. I gritted my teeth, as Thames’s darkness and my shadows battled for dominance.
My mind shifted between knowing Thames could bring us the power we deserve, and remembering he was the villain of our story. That he’d hurt the people I loved.
The light in my chest flared. The brave man in front of me deserved better. A feeling of resolve washed over me as the shadows agreed and choked the darkness.
I tucked away the curiosity at Thames’s volcano project and focused, unleashing my shadows quickly, and snapped the man’s neck before he even realized what was happening. The deafeningcrackechoed in the damp cell, and the warrior’s body hung limp seconds later.
I shoved as much of myself into that space of light as I could, locking it down and praying Lana would forgive me.
Fates, let me be able to forgive myself too.
Thames jerked his attention toward me, but instead of anger, there was an eerie glint in his eyes.
Guilt gnawed at me as my spirit faltered and deflated.
“Ah, there's my pet,” Thames chuckled. “I underestimated your thirst for blood.”
I bowed my head, trying to hide the relief and indecision warring for control.
The inexplicable pain at what I’d done on top of worrying about Lana nearly had me doubling over. She had to be safe. Storm and the others would protect her.
Thames approached me, patting my cheek with pride.
His magic flared inside of me, but I held on to thoughts of Lana. My mate. How could I have forgotten my mate? I clung to my love for her, letting the tether to her burn through his influx of darkness.
“Apologies, my king. It has been a few hours since my last kill. I simply wanted to make this one memorable.”
Thames’s laughter bounced around us off the walls, the wailing in the dungeons ceasing at the wicked sound. “It happens to the best of us.”
Too quickly his eyes narrowed, and he snatched the blackened dagger from my hand and stabbed it into my thigh.
Gritting my teeth, I swallowed down the pained noise attempting to escape my throat.
He leaned in. “Evenyoumust be reminded who’s in control here.” He twisted the blade, and I couldn’t stop the sharp inhale through my nose.
His darkness surged inside of me, more powerful than before.
No!my shadows yelled as they hurried to protect Lana’s light.
That negative emotion, the unexpected influx of Thames’s magic and the blade was all the darkness needed to fight back against my advantage.
More in tune with my magic, I felt my shadows firmly close around my bond with Lana, protecting it fiercely. Only, their focus on the most important part of me left me with nothing to battle the evil.
