The army of fae didn’t approach us—that was a relief. It was like they were on standby to intimidate us, to answer Cornelius’s call whenever he pleased.
We couldn’t fight them all, especially if our magic was being blocked.
But if they were distracted, we would have a chance.
Rummywould have a chance.
Getting her out of here was the only damn thing that mattered. My breath grew shallow as I weighed my options, but the decision was an easy one. Rummy was getting out of here alive.
Even if she was the only damn one.
I gripped Rummy’s wrist. “When I say run,” I started, “get out of here as fast as you can. Blast your magic—all of it. Kill every last fae in this damn palace if you have to. Don’t worry about what might happen.”
She shook her head beside me. “What are you talking about?”
“I love you, Rum. I’ve loved you from the moment I met you. Don’t ever let anyone steal your light again. I’m so sorry.” I kissed her on the lips hard and fast so she had no time to process my next move.
And then I launched myself through the fire—wings sizzling—and tackled Cornelius to the ground.
I felt Rummy’s terror through our bond before I heard her bloodcurdling scream.
Use this, I silently pleaded through the bond.Make them pay.
Cornelius and I rolled over one another until I landed on top of him. My angel wings splayed widely on either side of my shoulders to keep my balance as I pinned him down.
Rummy screamed again, but the power I felt through the bond told me Cornelius had been distracted enough to lift the block he placed on her.
“Now, Rummy!” I screamed. “NOW!”
She hesitated. I knew she would. Her past made her a victim to her own magic, and she feared hurting me. She feared me getting in the way.
But we had no fucking choice.
Both of us would not make it out of here alive. Not like this.
So while Cornelius struggled beneath me, while Matthias scrambled—likely about to use his own magic on Rummy—I simply did the last thing I could think of to get Rummy to wield that damn magic of hers.
I reached down and pulled Cornelius’s dagger from its sheath.
And shoved it into my own chest.
Chapter 41
Rummy
No.
No.
The fire disappeared immediately, not like that would have stopped me from rushing to Jessiah’s side. He’d already pulled the dagger out of his chest, causing blood to pour onto Cornelius below him.
He then turned the dagger and aimed it at Cornelius with shaking arms.
But Cornelius was quicker than that. He bucked Jessiah off him in one swift motion. Jessiah’s body fell to the ground with a thud that made my stomach drop.
Matthias stood a few feet away, watching in horror.
The rest of the gifted fae froze at the edge of the garden, too.
