“Solano may have the throne, but I’m going to take something far more dear.” His fangs lengthen as he follows us into the foyer. “And I’m going to enjoy every moment of it.”
I scream as they pull me up the stairs, my cries going nowhere, and heart breaking from the crushing weight of fear.
32
Solano
Even with a hot solar wind at our back, Irlirin can’t run fast enough, his hooves pounding the road. We pass the palace, cutting through the small hamlets along the edges of Sonnen. Charen and Brock rush from the palace grounds to my side, their horses pushing just as hard as mine. We can’t talk over the roar of hooves, but they know me, and they know I won’t rest until I find Emma.
We hit the rough road that leads farther north, passing wide open lands owned by the crown. The ground here is too stony for crops, but the grass is able to grow, turning the hillsides a deep green. My warm wind pushes harder, easing us along the rolling slopes until, after far too long, we come to Varan’s holdings.
I granted him a large acreage of these hills, giving him room to roam and start a new life away from the Shard of Day. But he rarely comes here, preferring to spend his time at court and in his Sonnen house where he can continue to plot against me.
His dark home rises from the highest hill, the peaks sharp, the stone an ugly gray. I don’t know how, but I can sense Emma is there. The creeping feeling inside me grows as I hurtle up the hill. I’m almost to the gate when I sense something ahead of me. I try to slow my pace, but it’s too late. We smash against the spell that wards Varan’s lands. Flying off the horse, I hit the barrier hard, bounce off, and land on the grassy knoll that hides sharp rocks beneath.
Tasting blood, I get to my feet and heal myself. The others slow and dismount as I walk to Irlirin. She’s badly injured, lying on her side, her legs still moving despite one of them being broken. Pressing my hand to her, I heal her wounds as best I can. Her eyes clear, the pained haze gone, and she climbs to her feet, then shakes out her mane.
“What is this?” Brock presses his hand to the barrier that expands like a cocoon over Varan’s estate. “Varan has no magic. He may have your father’s blood, but he gained none of the bloodline’s abilities.”
“Spell maybe?” Charen throws a spiky ball of black magic at it, but it can’t penetrate the milky white wall. “Some sort of ward, but it’s not—” He looks more closely. “Not an actual spell. This is part of Varan, a specific sort of control talent, it would seem. He’s marshaling the air, creating a wall with it.”
“Can we break it?” I have to get to her.
“I can’t.” Charen presses more black magic to the barrier, but it fizzles away, disintegrating and dispersing. “I’m good at destroying things, but this talent is something different. Almost an illusion.” He draws his sword and strikes it, but the blade bounces off.
“Ah!” Varan strides out from the dour house, a smile on his face. “Guests. How wonderful.” He spreads his arms and saunters over. “What? Can’t get in?” He peers at the barrier. “That’s unfortunate.”
“Varan, give her to me now, and I will grant you a lesser punishment, but if you refuse—”
“What?” He stops just across the barrier from me. “You’ll what? Take my head? Kill your own brother? How long before the nobles rise up against you for such an act? Kill me, and you kill your kingdom.” He motions behind him, and his countenance changes back to faux friendly. “But I’m glad you’re here to share this momentous occasion. I’ve finally found the one.”
“Varan, let her go.” My magic rises inside me like an unrelenting tide. It’s on the verge of unleashing, and I don’t care what sort of talent Varan has, I will rip this wall down in a fury of ash and ruin.
Charen glances at me, whistles, then takes my horse’s reins and leads her back. “This is about to get good, but let’s watch from over there.”
“My lord?” Brock remains at my elbow.
“Go.” I can barely keep myself under control.
“I’ll be here, and when this wall falls, we will get her back.” He bows and backs away.
The other soldiers retreat, too, until it’s just Varan and me at the wall.
I hear her cry before I see her. “Emma!”
Varan’s servants drag her from the house, her dress in tatters and tears on her cheeks. Even through the barrier, I catch the scent of her terror and pain.
Fire covers me, the sun burning through my skin as I shift my gaze to Varan. “Either you release her, or I will end you and leave nothing but a smoking pit here.”
Varan tsks as Emma is dragged to him. “Why would you say such a thing on my mating day?”
“You aren’t mating her.”
“I am.” He grins. “I intended to do it in the privacy of my home, but now I have an audience. It’s better when there are witnesses.” His fangs lengthen as Emma is shoved into his waiting arms.
“Solano.” Her voice is weak, and I can tell she’s hurt.
“Release her.” My voice shakes the barrier, but it doesn’t crack. Not yet.
