“How does it feel knowing you spent years trying to get this magic out of me and never succeeded? You’re the pathetic one. The weak one.” I held up my palm as a ball of light swirled in my hand like one of Storm’s fireballs.
“It’s not possible,” he snarled.
Instead of responding, I rushed toward him, flinging the ball of light in his direction. He flinched as Apollo glowed and I struck my mark, slicing his leg. A thin wisp of darkness slitheredout, but nothing of substance. It reminded me too much of how Kade’s darkness wouldn’t come out.
Andras countered my attack slower, lacking the strength he’d displayed a few moments before.
“Guess your stolen magic doesn’t last too long, does it?” I slashed out again, trying to cut him with my blade, only for him to dodge my attack.
“You will regret your undeserved confidence.”
Shadows raced into the room and rushed around Andras.
“No, he’s mine,” I shouted.
Kade strode into the room, letting his shadows fall away as he circled us.
“Someone is in trouble.” Andras shook his finger at Kade. “If you think he hasn’t figured out you’ve gone rogue, you’re just as dumb as she is.”
“Someonecertainly feels powerful being Thames’s lapdog,” Kade huffed, leaning against the dresser.
A sadness gripped me as I looked at Kade here in my parents’ room, knowing we’d never all be together, that they wouldn’t see what the two of us had accomplished. It quickly morphed into fury as I glared at Andras. His grin exposing his complete lack of remorse.
His actions, bending my parents’ will with his mind magic, torturing me, torturing Ian, poisoning my father, killing my mother. All of his actions hurt those I loved. He was the reason for all their deaths. For taking them from me, never allowing them to see me with my mate or to watch me grow into the queen they’d raised me to be. It was all because ofhim.
My breaths came heavy, heaving through me as I channeled my rage, my heartbreak, mygriefinto this moment.
“I’m not going to kill you yet,” I gulped down a breath, steadying my voice. “You will face worse than death.”
“Bold words for a woman who is losing.” Andras charged me, and though Kade stiffened, he didn’t interfere. My lips tugged into a smirk as all of my focus homed in on Andras’s movements.
He gave himself away more than he realized, his eyes traveling in the direction he planned to move. Using that to my advantage, I blocked two of his attacks before kneeing him in the groin. He grunted, and his hesitation allowed me to stab him in the side. Right where he’d stabbed me all those years ago. Another small burst of darkness hissed out of him.
“Who is losing now?” I asked, shoving the blade deeper.
I leashed my anger the moment I felt his slick blood on my hand. I didn’t want him dead yet. No, I had a much better idea. One where we would all get out the hate for him that we needed to release.
I glanced at Kade. “Could you make sure he doesn’t move?”
Kade walked lazily over to me, his eyes raking over me as desire thickened the air between us. He always did love when I wielded my blades so furiously. “What would you have me do with him, Little Rebel?” Pride made his voice swell.
I smiled at him before staring into Andras’s pained face. His glare remained, but the arrogant facade cracked, and a slight trace of fear widened his gaze.
“Take him to his favorite place,” I instructed. “The dungeons.”
Chapter 24
Lana
Istood in front of the palace gates, taking in the crowds of Fae growing with each minute.
My people needed to be addressed, they deserved answers.
I may have rallied the rebels in Dukes Pub, but this would serve as the first time I addressed Ellevail on my own. No guidance from my mother or father. Just me.
My lip trembled as my body tensed. The thoughts of unworthiness, of not being ready—they weren’t gone, they just lingered at the back of my mind.
I was stronger than those dark thoughts, but I could feel them there. If I succumbed, if I allowed them a voice, they could easily draw me under.
