“There is no us,” I answered. “Even if I felt anything for you, which I don’t, I would never stay with a man who raises his hand to a woman.”
Philip rolled his eyes and tossed Farris’ dress down. His steps were slow, deliberate, as he walked toward me. I didn’t flinch. My pulse was pounding so hard I could hear it. As soon as he got close enough to me, I stabbed him in the stomach, not hesitating for a second.
“You fucking cunt.” He grabbed me by the neck and pulled me to him. “You are coming with me. And I will force you to complete this marriage bond. You’re mine; the heavens said so.”
He pulled the knife from his stomach and tossed it to the floor, blood spilling onto the wood. Then he squeezed my neck harder before his magic flared, wrapping around us like a noose.
Where did Nyxthra go?
When his magic disappeared, we were in a home I didn’t recognize. He shoved me hard into a wall and I cried out as I fell to the floor.
“Farris needs to be reminded that I’m the one in control, not her. I am constantly having to put her manipulative ass in its place. Don’t make me do that with you, too. I will treat you well if you treat me well. Farris was just temporary. Her power was needed but you have enough power that I won't need her anymore.”
He stared at me like he expected me to say something, but I refused.
“You are stuck with me, and you are going to help me and Gilyx take over Elloryon.”
He turned on his heel and slammed the door shut. I heard the clicking of the lock but still stood up on shaky legs and triedto open it. It didn’t budge. My gaze moved around the room. I didn’t know what to do.
“Nyxthra,” I whispered.
She appeared in front of me.
“Go find someone to help me,” I ordered her. “Anyone who can help.”
She nodded once and vanished into the dark.
Chapter 27
Abram
Ezra and I were minding our own business… kind of. We were wandering the streets of Falgon looking for Farris when all of a sudden Ezra stiffened. His entire body went still like he’d caught a scent on the wind. I stopped beside him, my heartbeat quickening at the sudden tension. He glanced around us, eyes sharp and predatory. I followed his gaze but saw nothing, just the usual hum of the crowded market. Then he smirked to himself, and that was somehow worse.
I frowned. I didn’t see anything, so I wasn’t sure what he was doing.
He suddenly darted left, moving with purpose, and I cursed before chasing after him. We weaved through the crowd, his long strides forcing me to push past confused pedestrians. He picked up speed, his cloak snapping behind him, and I was struggling to keep up. Then suddenly Ezra grabbed a hooded woman and tossed her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing.
“Package secured.” He grinned.
“Put me down, you bastard.” Farris was struggling against him, her fists pounding against his back.
A laugh slipped from me despite myself, the absurdity of it cutting through the chaos. I smiled and used my magic to take us to Ezra’s home before anyone could notice the scene he’d made. The familiar pulse of power rippled through me, and a heartbeat later, the city melted away.
As soon as we arrived, Ezra slid Farris off his shoulder slowly, deliberately, letting her body drag down the length of his. The air crackled between them.
Farris wasted no time smacking him across the face. The sharp sound echoed through the room.
“Get that stupid smirk off your face,” she hissed. “You prick, I was busy!”
Ezra’s smile only widened, his eyes lighting with a mixture of mischief and something deeper.
“I missed you too, Farris.”
For a moment, she didn’t know I was there, or maybe she didn’t care. Her body stilled, breath catching as her gaze locked on his. Ezra tilted his head and stepped closer until no space remained between them. The tension was suffocating.
“Ezra… I’m married,” she stuttered out.
“Yes, I heard.” His gaze darkened. “I was there.”
