Instead of the rot making the billowing shield deteriorate, the corroded capillaries seem to do nothing at all. Slade growls out, pushing even more power, so thickly that it seems to tingle against my skin.
But it does nothing to the shield of blowing fabric.
The power suddenly cuts off, my riveted gaze blurring as Slade starts to pant, sweat dripping from his hair, anger grinding through his jaw.
“King Ravinger, as I said before, you cannot get through. My son’s veil is impenetrable. But let us speak,” King Merewen says, holding out his arms like he’s some benevolent, enlightened man. “We are not your enemies.”
Slade bares his teeth at him, giving a look that even chills my blood. “Anyone who hurts Auren is my enemy.”
“But that’s just it, King Ravinger.Sheis the enemy,” Queen Isolte says.
Queen Kaila nods and steps past her brother. “Exactly. We’ve just proven it here at the Conflux, which is why it was so imperative we got her away from you. She’s dangerous. Tricking kings and taking their power. We didn’t want to stand by and let it happen to you too.”
Fury makes the gold still pouring from my hands go molten. It lands in steaming drops that hiss as they fall.
“Her claws needed to be ripped from your mind. See for yourself,” King Merewen says, gesturing toward me. “She has stolen gold-touch, but now, she hasalsostolen your rot. You should’ve turned her in sooner.”
Slade’s eyes jump to me, falling down to the gold now lapping at my thighs, at the rooting lines that swim in their depths. All while gold pours from my hands with an unnatural pull. My eyes feel heavy. My heart lagging.
“She stolenothing,” he says on a growl. “Release her. Now.”
“I’m afraid we can’t do that,” Merewen says. “You know the law. Once the accused has been found culpable, the judgment must be carried out.”
The force of his furor makes Slade practically shake. “If youtouchher, I will rot every single one of you right here, right now.”
King Thold shifts on his feet, his snakes hissing with agitation. “Merewen, perhaps we should discuss this...”
“No,” he snaps, the blotches on his cheeks growing redder. “The judgment has been made. Do you want her to stealyourpower too?” he demands before his eyes whip toward the new Fifth King. “What about you? Would you like her to seduce you and then steal yours?”
Both men say nothing to that.
“She killed a king. We can’t stand by and do nothing,” Queen Isolte puts in. “She’s a tainted woman who needs to face her fate.”
Slade looks at them, body so still that it’s eerie. As if he even so much as blinks, he’s going to tear them apart. “Drop this barrier and let her out.Now. Or what I did today in this square will benothingcompared to what I do next.”
He grounds out the threat between bitten words so quiet that I have to strain to hear him.
“You can hide behind this shield for as long as your son can hold it, but I assure you, I will wait longer. The moment it drops, I will curdle your skin and wither your bones. I will decay you slowly, from the inside out, until you’re nothing but an agonized corpse left to fester in the sun. Then, I will destroy every last person in your kingdoms, and I will not rest until all of Orea crumbles out of existence.”
The other monarchs blanch.
Queen Isolte shakes her head in disbelief. “King Ravinger, we’re trying tohelp—”
“Drop the shieldnow. I’m not going to ask again.”
“But—”
“Drop it,” King Merewen says, cutting off his wife.
She looks shocked. “The ruling of the Conflux isholy.”
“Shut your mouth, woman,” he seethes before he turns to his son. “Drop the barrier, boy.”
But the boy doesn’t open his eyes. Doesn’t make a noise.
His father rounds on him with irritation. “Did you hear me? I said drop it!” The king goes to shake him, but as soon as his hand touches his shoulder, the boy crumples to the ground and starts to convulse.
“Hamus!” Queen Isolte scrambles to her son, falling to her knees beside him. She holds his cheeks, trying to stop his violent shaking, but it doesn’t help. She rounds on her husband. “This is your fault for pushing him to use so much magic!”
