I had imagined what it would be like to get married, seeingher walk down the aisle towards me.
This was surely not what I had in mind.
The priest pressed down on my shoulders, forcing me to kneel.
I struggled to suppress my need to smile at the sheer ridiculousness of this whole situation and put the mask of indifference back on my face.
The priest led Maelis up to the circle and addressed the guests with some flourished words, obviously enjoying being the center of attention for once.
It seemed like he had decided that this was his big moment and he’d make the most of it. Mae stood to his right so she couldn’t see me kneeling to the left of the priest.
Her dagger was strapped to the priest’s belt.
So they didn’t trust her entirely either, interesting.
And probably smart.
Smarter than I had been at least.
But they needed the dagger to finish the harnessing, so it made sense to keep it close by.
The priest was yapping on and on about the importance of the occasion when I suddenly heard a whizzing sound.
Towards the back of the crowd stood one of the Heralds, his eyes suddenly widening in shock. He toppled over without making a sound.
There was an arrow in his back.
The court of Wisdom had come to free me.
Chapter 38
Chaos erupted, as the guards of Somnaris came rushing into the courtyard, screaming commands and shielding the guests.
The Faeries blanched and hid under their chairs or started to run away as arrows rained from the sky.
Somnaris cast a protective shield over me, Maelis, and the priest.
“Finish the ritual!” he shouted and unsheathed his sword.
It only took another moment for the Gods to appear in the courtyard.
Lythandra was the first to rush towards Ignara, their swords meeting midair, releasing a boom of energy.
I saw Caelan fighting two Heralds to the left of me and Lydia was wrestling with a noble Faerie.
Malek’s men were there too, attacking from the shadows and effectively trapping Somnaris’ men and guests in the courtyard.
Maelis only stood and watched for a second before stepping into the circle.
She turned towards the priest. “Do it and don’t stop until the harnessing is complete!”
He nodded, but nervously lookedaround him.
He began the incantation and the crystals around us started glowing faintly.
I had to try one last time.
“Maelis, listen to me. This isn’t the only path. It’s not too late. Release me, and we’ll find another way, together. We can still fulfill the prophecy. We can still get you home,” I said softly.
