We plummet as Solano yells for me down the bond.
I try to claw Eraldon, but he holds me fast, his eyes locked with mine as the wind roars in my ears.
“I’ve missed you.” He smiles, his fangs deadly.
Right before we reach the treeline below, he fans out his wings and slows our descent. We land in a grove of trees thick with seekers, all of them hungry for blood.
I step back as Eraldon circles me.
“Nice armor. The day realm looks good on you, Emma. We can rule from there, if you like.” He runs his claws along my shoulder, and I whirl, keeping him in my sight.
“What have you done? Stolen every life in this realm to make your army?”
He tsks. “They are mine to take. I’m their rightful king, and they must be of service to me.”
“You’re a monster.” I splay my claws.
“Going to attack me? Is that the plan?” He stops right in front of me.
“Attack you? No. I’m going to end you.”
“I like your spirit, always have.”
“Will you like this blade in your heart?” I ask and pull a silver dagger from my belt.
“You know just how to excite me.” He darts his tongue out to wet his lips. “Do you really think we have time for that?”
I feint toward him, then spin as he tries to grip my braids.
“Faster now, aren’t you?” He circles me. “Good. I need my queen to be a fighter.” He lunges for me and almost catches me by the throat, but I drop low and slice out with my blade.
He dances back, his strong body untouched. “Close. So close. We could do this forever, but I’m afraid I have other business.”
And just like that, his army begins to march into day, all of them moving like a great serpent through the town of Nightsbane. There are too many. Even with Solano’s power, he will be overwhelmed and have to retreat. And I can’t think about what will happen if he’s caught.
“Retreat!” I call to him again.
“Come back here now!” His voice is desperate, worried.
But I can’t return. Not until I deal with the evil right in front of me. The moon is high overhead, lighting Eraldon’s dark eyes as his minions flow past us.
“Stop this. You could end this war, release the seekers from your thrall, and rule the night realm. Why isn’t that enough?”
“That willneverbe enough,” he snarls. “Arin is mine. I will bring order and a new breed of seeker. My bloodline will sustain the realms, and my lineage will rule forever.”
Bright flashes of day erupt across the barrier, and I can feel Solano burning through his magic, fighting for his people.
“Scared for your day king?” He smirks. “Want to make a deal?”
“What deal?” I still have my blade in my hand, the metal warm against my skin.
“Give yourself to me and forsake Solano, and I will stop the assault. The day realm will still be mine, but I will let him live.” He steps toward me, his dark eyes devouring me. “I will grant him mercy in exchange for your mate vow.”
“Never!” Solano’s roar reaches our ears, and Eraldon’s mouth opens in a cruel grin.
There are too many seekers. Even with Malnaloch and Solano’s army, we can’t beat them. He and his warriors will be slaughtered.
“Be reasonable.” Eraldon moves closer, his cold gaze never wavering. “Your beating heart is still soft, and you don’t want to have so much blood on your hands. I can stop all of it. You only have to give me your word.”
