My lips pull back from my teeth. “You made a mistake stopping me.”
He laughs, reaching to secure two ropes before standing. I follow the length of them to where they connect to a makeshift stretcher made of branches beneath me.
“You know, I didn’t think it would be so easy.” He brings his hands out wide, adopting a boisterously deep voice as he taunts, “The great and powerful Prince Nox Daxel! With the magic of thegodsin his veins!” Licking his lips, he drops his arms to his sidesand stares at me, something shifting in his expression. “You’re a legend in the kingdom. Fuck, you’re a legend outside of it too. It’s funny, isn’t it? How quickly the mighty can fall.”
I don’t respond but press back against the branches, hoping to feel the outline of my weapon. Disappointment surges when I realize he’s taken it, along with every one of my possessions except for my clothing. My pack is tied at my feet, at least. I can only hope he hasn’t gone through the items there. I take stock of my faculties, noting that in addition to the ever-present pain, my limbs also feel entirely too heavy. Any other time, he’d be dead. My shadows racing in from every corner to strangle the life from him. Or I’d simply do it with my hands. Unfortunately, he is right. I didn’t sense himat all, and now I can’t evendefendmyself should he attack me again.
“Oh, I recognize the look in your eyes,” he acknowledges, putting the ropes in one hand before digging the other into his pocket. “But I recommend you tuck those murderous little thoughts back into your mind for now. Based on how weak your signature feels—hardly existent at all—and the fact that you’re all but limp on my comfy stretcher, you’d likely just hurt yourself.”
“Why don’t you come a little closer, and we’ll test that theory out.”
He chuckles, removing his hand from his pocket to reveal a cloth and a small vial of liquid. “That’s the spirit, Your Highness! I can see why she likes you.” Everything in me stills, honing in on the man as he steps between muddy puddles and clumped leaves to stand near my head, squatting once more.
“What the fuck did you say?”
His cockiness morphs into something darker, his eyes matching the tone. “She is beautiful, I’ll give you that. Though I like them a little less mouthy.”
Fury grips me, tossing me in its flames as I reach out to grab him. But my body is so weak, my reaction time even more so, and he’s able to deflect me easily.
Uncorking the vial, I watch as he pours a light purple liquid onto the cloth before corking and pocketing it again. “Your effort is valiant,My Prince, but there are larger games at play. Ones that require yourfiancéeto be elsewhere.” He holds the cloth up, looking from me to it and back again. “I’m sorry for the side effects of this tincture. Gelsemium is quite the nasty flower.” Quick as lightning, his hand covers my mouth and nose, and I take a full breath in, an herbal bitterness filling my mouth and lungs.
I struggle against his hold, every warning bell in my body screaming to fight. To do something—fucking anything. It starts with my tongue, a tingling sensation that deprives it of feeling when I try to push it to the roof of my mouth. Then it moves down my throat to my chest. My arms are next, followed by the rest of my torso and legs. The last bit of movement I feel is my toes wiggling in my boots before they too become numb.
The man watches, his smile growing after a few moments when he realizes I’m completely immobilized. Patting my shoulder, he pockets the cloth and grabs the ropes again in both hands. “Time to go back home.” My eyes fall of their own volition as he begins to drag me through the forest.
Chapter Forty: Aria
Thesunisbarelyup when I leave Lumen and set out to meet Myla. My heart races in anticipation of our lesson, despite knowing I’ll be met with somethinglessthan enthusiasm from her. Her deep-seated hatred of the sirens is warranted; after all, hadn’t I also begrudged all that my kind had done? Could I really blame her, knowing it is possible that my own mother had a hand in murdering her family? The cutting looks and blade-like words from her hurt, but my kind had done irreparable damage to her family.
Her fury had sparked my own and inspired me to stand up for myself for the first time. And it had felt…freeing.That spark of bravery had left its mark. It is small progress and not nearly enough to protect Lyre and her babe when it comes time to leave, but after a lifetime of feeling like my failures were measured in magnitudes, I am hungry for even small victories. And I’ll take them wherever I can get them.
I spend the rest of my journey replaying the defensive techniques. Between our last visit and this one, I had practiced them in the safety of my room at night, sometimes only allowing myself a few hours of sleep so that I could practice for longer.
I transform when I reach the shallow waters of our meeting spot, and my skin prickles with awareness when glowing yellow dragon’s eyes land on mine through the Spell. A familiar fae male sits atop the blue dragon’s back, between a set of rather imposing looking spikes. He pats the side of its neck, and I wonder if the massive animal can even feel it through those hard scales.
I plant my feet on wet sand just at the water’s edge, waiting for Myla to slide off of the dragon and make her way to the rocky cavern. Already anticipating a scowl to mar her otherwise elegant features. But as the dragon lowers, its eyes still pinned on me, there is only the one rider on its back. Glancing around the beach, I don’t see Myla at all, and when I bring my attention back to the dragon, the fae male is strutting towards me, his hands raised in front of him.
“I come bearing a message for you,” he says, passing through the Spell.
I take a step back towards the safety of the ocean. “From Myla?”
He nods, lowering his arms to his sides. “Please don’t use your magic to send me into the water. Lan here is a baby, and he’d probably die without me.” As if the dragon understands thefae, he lets out a low growl, opening his mouth to show off his incredibly large teeth. I swallow, my wide eyes drawing a chuckle from the fae.Maybe Lancanunderstand him through their magical bond.
I give him a nod. It’s not like he knows my magic is useless against him anyway. “As long as you stay over there, then you will be safe.”
He smiles, his face a beautiful mosaic of high cheekbones and angular eyes. Dark full lashes frame them, and his long black hair only adds to his distinct look. “Excellent. My name is Navin. I am Myla’s brother.”
“She has a brother?” I blurt, earning a playful scoff.
“Of course, she hasn’t spoken of me. Myla’s never been one for open conversation, if you hadn’t noticed.” I can’t help but snort at that. Navin’s smile widens. “Anyway, she is unable to come today.”
I grip my satchel, the soft eel grass smooth against my palm as I stare at him. “Why?”
“I’m afraid I can’t say. But she should be here next week.”
I shake my head and look down at my feet as cool air brushes against my skin. “I can’t wait a whole week,” I lament. Not with how my mother is clearly planning something big with the Mortal Kingdom. To delay an entire lesson—to not have the next bit of knowledge and skill needed to ensure I keep Lyre safe—one week could be the very difference between our escape and our capture.
“I might have a solution,” Navin offers, drawing my gaze. He studies me, clasping his hands behind his back. “What ifIteach you for today?”
