“I look forward to that time.”
“As you should.”
So regal. So conceited. But if I was as magnificent as him, I might act that way too.
“The last,” he said. “Remain sharp, fury who will soon be unleashed.” He swallowed. “When nature bends and true love speaks with all its might, only then will justice end this bitter blight.”
He scrambled around me and up onto the bridge railing, adding cracks to the ones created by Iasar. Taking flight, he burst into flight.
The world parted, and he flew into the crack, disappearing.
I could picture the two dragons flying side-by-side before soaring into the sky as high as they dared.
They’d spiral toward the ground, their necks entwined.
49
VEXXION
Isensed when she freed Amronth, the only other surviving Eratis dragon in both faerie and the worlds beyond.
Standing near the wall inside the red parlor, I tried not to appear bored while voices droned around me.
I wouldn’t chide my fury for giving in to her heart. She had to do it. I’d known that even before I saw Iasar protect her yesterday and heard the words he hissed by her ear.
Things were rushing too fast, and while a part of me ached to hold everything back, to slow this, I would not intervene.
May she forgive me.
May she still love me when this was over.
I cast a spell on the front door, placing an image of Amronth writhing there in the gap. No one would realize the dragons weren’t still trapped within the magical fold—except the king,and him only if he purposefully sought them, something he hadn’t done for ages. After he placed them there, he’d chortled and grinned, his face heavy with gloat. He’d called for a chair and sat, gazing at them raptly, savoring their pain while announcing to anyone who passed thathe’ddone this. That onlyhewas powerful enough to bind such magnificent creatures.
Over time, the king appeared to have forgotten they were there, and may he continue to do so until it no longer mattered.
After dinner and holding court in the throne room, Ivenrail retired to this sitting area, insisting I join in on the festivities. Even now, as he sat in a formal chair near the fire, rocking the glass holding his drink on the table beside him, his face remained pleasant. He spoke with Brenna in a low voice, leaning close enough to whisper in her ear. Reaching out, he took her hand, squeezing it while giving her a smile that only made his face appear craven.
I sensed the tension within her, displayed only by the slight sheen on her face and the heightened color that did not come from the fae wine she’d sipped. Plus in the way she kept shooting glances through her lashes at Zayde, who sat on a sofa nearby, studiously avoiding looking her way.
Tempest flitted to our suite. I wanted to join her, but I was stuck here for some time yet.
What have you been up to?I purred.
Nothing much.
You’ve been naughty.
Her breath caught.I have.
What do you think I should do about this, Fury?
What would youliketo do about it?
So many things.
Remove your clothing,I said, the upward twitch of my lips the only reaction I gave away, and then for only a fraction of time before I smoothed my mouth.
Will you join me soon, my wicked high lord?she drawled. I sensed her lifting her tunic up over her head. Tossing it aside. Her trembling fingers reaching for the fastening at the top of her pants.
