He’d only recently started taking power from the uncollared? That must be about the time when Vexxion discovered he could feed his own power to the king through the Nullen.
“I need all the power, not just that puny bit.”
A scoff erupted from beneath the Liege’s long, dingy cloak. As always, I couldn’t see his face or form, but I’d viewed this one already. Ripped his bone coin away from his wrist.
Ivenrail wore a simple green tunic and nondescript black pants and boots. No crown on his head. No jewelry I could see from here. Had he flitted here or . . .
Why dress to avoid drawing attention if he could flit fromhis throne room to this cave, then back when his conversation was finished?
A sound from the opposite side of the hall snagged on my consciousness, the flutter of wings. Madrood waited.
Ivenrail had flown all the way across Nullen territory to speak with a Liege either by choice or because he couldn’t flit for whatever reason.
I leaned against the wall that I could surprisingly feel. The hardness. The coldness of it sinking through my clothing and flesh, its tendrils of dread seeking my bones.
“You crave it when you should find a way to resist,” the Liege said. “I told you from the start. Small sips only, enough to give you a bit of extra and make you feel giddy. Never more than that. This is how it has always been and the way it should always be.”
“With this power, I can conquer the world.”
“A paltry wish. You’re one of many. When you’re gone, others will try to do the same. None will succeed. If you don’t rein in your craving, I will do it for you.”
“Do not threaten me.” A glare like that directed at me would’ve shocked me to my core. “No one is untouchable.”
“Some used to be. Like with your father, you underestimate all of us. At least there’s a chance that others . . .”
Ivenrail’s gaze narrowed on the Liege. “Do you know where she is?”
“Who do you speak of?” The conniving twist of the Liege’s voice cut through me like a blade.
“Tell me.”
“I share nothing without purpose.”
Ivenrail growled. “It doesn’t matter. You’ll see. It’s different this time. You haven’t seen how I plan to accomplish my plan.” Ivenrail swept his arm out and a vision appeared in the room with them. Dregs marched along the ground, stomping toward villages where Nullens cringed and screamed. Some valiantly took up arms and rushed toward the dregs, determination dripping from their pores and fear blazing on their faces. They’d fight hard and while some would survive, many would be taken or killed.
Soon, riders would appear in the skies, drilling toward the dregs, swiping through them with swords, their dragons shooting fire.
“I’ve been experimenting,” the king said, his nose twisting in a snit. “Not sucking down all that power just for myself. I’ve fed it to others.”
What did he mean by that?
The Liege grunted, clearly unconvinced.
“Soon, I’ll perfect this, and then you too shall benefit from my magic.”
“This remains to be seen.” The Liege sounded bored, ready to dismiss Ivenrail. How did he dare? Oh, yes. He felt he was in control of this, as ifhe’dcollared the king and would soon be granted access.
The scene continued to unfold, and I silently cheered on the riders and dragons who decimated the dregs. The Lieges who’d come with the dregs were already on the run.
This Liege snarled and turned from the scene in disgust.
Ivenrail’s hand snapped within the folds of the Liege’s hood, latching onto the creature’s chin and forcing his head around tomake him watch what might come next. “You’ll miss the best part.”
I’d seen this so many times, I’d lost count. Why was this particular battle important to Ivenrail?
And then I knew why I was called here, why I was watching this unfold before my eyes. Why he was forcing the Liege to observethisbattle that must be from my future, a future where this Liege was already dead by my hand. When I killed him, the Liege knew what Ivenrail would do.
So many paths. Which would lead in this direction?
