Rune had heard threats from gods, kings, and monsters alike.
But Vorak’s message had not been a threat.
It was a prophecy.
“The future…”he whispered.
His eyes found Alora’s again. She was looking at him differently now. Not with fear. But withrealization.Like she’d peeled back the edge of the curtain and seen the bones behind the throne.
And if Alora was born of such dark power…
Then she wasn’t merely part of the Netherworld.
She was the key.
And the lock.
And the end of them all.
The air shifted and Rune immediately caught the movement in the trees. Armored fae emerged, swords drawn, bearing the crest of Calveron.
Alora froze and the air rippled as Nexus grew to full size with a snarl.
“They found me,” she said shakily.
Rune smiled as the last of the sunlight descended past the trees.
Good.
He was itching to unleash the wrath burning in his veins. “They are the least of your worries.”
As they advanced, Rune strode to meet them.
Shadows erupted from the earth like black roots, splitting the ground, snarling through the air. They coiled around the soldier’s legs, arms and throats, lifting them off their feet like puppets.
Rune stepped forward, darkness and blood coating the air as they screamed.
One by one, the soldiers wereslammedinto the ground. Bone cracked. Necks twisted. Swords clattered, useless.
Fast.
Flawless.
Viciously clean.
Alora watched beside Nexus, stiff as stone, the color flushing her cheeks.
“What is it, little bird?” Rune grinned at her over his shoulder. “You look nervous.”
But when he held out a hand to her, she slowly walked to him and took it. Her gaze flitted to the dragon scales dusting the back of his knuckles and on his cheekbones. Surprisingly, she didn’t flinch. He gauged her reaction to him, and he distantly scented her arousal.
His power curled around her like silk as he pulled her close. “Did that display impress you?”
Alora shivered but didn’t move away. “I am mildly intrigued. You killed them without sparing a second.”
“There is no amount of blood I wouldn’t spill for you.”
She shivered but didn’t appear frightened by that but worry knotted between her brows. “Theyfoundme here, Rune. I think … Eldrik has my godmother.”
