We ran back toward the throne room, where we thought Andras would be hiding.
Kade’s shadows whipped around us, flying forward, searching for the coward. We ran harder, faster, not passing any guards or dark ones, until we turned down the corridor where my parents’ room had been.
A group of twenty guards stood outside their doors.
Andras had fled totheirrooms. He’d been living here in this palace, where my parents should be.
My light ignited once more, raging inside of me, and gained some semblance of energy, driving my desire for vengeance.
“He’s mine,” I hissed out.
Ian called my name, but I ignored him. The others followed closely behind. Kade’s shadows understood exactly what I needed as they parted the guards for me, forcing them to the side in a wave of shadowy mist.
I bolted between them as the sound of fighting started behind me. I slammed into the locked door, banging on it for a second before holding my hands out. Guided by pure instinct, Ipoured my magic into the handle, forcing it to unlock. The doors swung open, and I barged into the room.
Andras was dressing himself in his magical gem-covered robe. The one I recognized from the clearing. He turned, grinning at me. “I knew you’d come. You never could stay out of trouble.”
I drew Apollo from where it rested at my thigh. There would be no mercy, no trying to get the darkness out of him. There would only be death.
After every person I loved got a chance to inflict their own punishment on his evil soul.
“I suggest you not underestimate me.”
He tilted his head back, cackling, before releasing a gust of wind that drove his own dagger swiftly and forcefully toward my chest. I jerked to the side, but the blade skimmed over the shadow armor protecting my shoulders.
“Still as weak as ever.”
I forced my magic to stay hidden, wanting to use it to my advantage to surprise him and drink in the shock on his face right before I captured him.
“Is that all you’ve got?” I taunted. “Lame insults and a blade not even able to penetrate armor?”
He hovered a hand over one of the crystals and disappeared. I turned, whipping my head around, finally realizing he’d materialized behind me. I ducked away from his outstretched hands reaching toward my neck.
A flicker of annoyance contoured his features. He pulled out another blade, spinning it in his fingers so fast it blurred.
I might be forced to call my magic earlier than I wanted.
His gaze settled on me as he jabbed forward. I blocked the first two hits, only to have him catch me in the side with his fist, just above where the armor stopped.
I wheezed but held my ground, keeping his blade from my chest.
My arms shook, and another stone on his magical robe flared. He shoved me harder, his strength impossibly formidable. My light coiled inside of me, recharged enough and desperate to be set free. Andras was using someone else's Fae strength, stolen and siphoned by Casimir, no doubt.
He slid forward and knocked me to the floor as my shaking arms desperately tried to keep him at bay.
“Your mother wasn’t even this pathetic when she died,” he gritted out. “She fought her hardest, but she was no match for me. Queen of Brookmere, ha! More like queen of nothing.”
“Liar,” I screamed, my light thrashing inside of me. I contained my magic, letting it continue to grow for the right moment.
“Bested by a mere advisor.”
I screamed against the pain. I couldn’t hold him back much longer.
“Scream all you like. The melody of it has soothed me to sleep for years.” He licked his lips, and in a rush of pure rage for everything he’d done to me, I let my light out.
The magic blasted from me, sending Andras flying backward as it surrounded his body with its power.
His eyes widened in shock as I jumped to my feet, wielding my dagger again.
