She looked up at him with tears streaming down her cheeks. “Ivenrail. What’s going on? Please, help me.”
His low chuckle rang out, and his hand thrust forward, his thumb almost delicately touching her forehead. The vine in his hand left his wrist, seeking Brenna, undulating in the air until itmade impact with her head as well. It coiled around and wavered toward Ivenrail, gently touching his face before plunging back to smack against her throat and encircle her neck.
Her breathing jerked in and out as the collar sunk deep, binding her to the gruesome fae king.
The low murmur from those watching was punctuated with spurts of glee. They were enjoying this. But most of them had collared their own Nullen. They’d seen this before. They delighted in viewing the pageantry of this moment all over again. It was a welcome part of their lives, not only a chance to gain a servant from those who’d fled their kingdom long ago, but a way to gain access to a Nullen’s bittersweet magic.
The vines sunk deeply, fusing with her skin. Blood trickled down her throat, plopping onto her pretty gown and splattering on her lap.
Her fingers twitched where they lay bound to the arms of her throne.
This was going too fast. I’d lost what little control I had over our plan, such as it was.
Vexxion!
Ivenrail leaned close to Brenna, whispering something I couldn’t hear above the jerking of her pretty shoes on the floor and the rising joy of the crowd.
A flick of Ivenrail’s finger, and Madrood stalked closer.
Brenna started screaming.
56
VEXXION
The king released me from the wall, exposing me to view.
Only a few fae ladies yelped to see me slump to the floor in their midst. The rest gazed raptly at Brenna while the king started to drain her.
I rose to my feet and staggered down the aisle, teetering when I reached the open area between the crowd and the dais.
Madrood stalked toward me but turned, his attention falling on Brenna, who continued to scream.
Ivenrail paused, and his head tilted, before he pivoted to glare at me, his thumb still locked to Brenna’s forehead. “What did you do?” He flitted and landed right in front of me, latching onto my arms. Hauling me to my feet, he shook me.
I drew power and sent it at him, but other than a flinch, he didn’t respond. I wanted to keep blasting him, but it would be a waste. Collared, I couldn’t cause him significant harm.
I’d lied. So many lies. It was all I could do to keep track of them myself.
Ivenrail used magic to cut me in the back of the legs, and I plunged to my knees.
“Vexxion,” my fury cried. She left Brenna and leaped off the platform. She raced over to me, wedging her body between me and the king.
With a flick of his finger, he flung her to the side. She hit hard, and a groan ripped up my throat. I channeled all my power into a barrage, whipping wind through the room, sending lightning and rain down on the guests. I did all I could to keep the king’s attention away from where Tempest was slowly rising to her feet. To keep him from noticing the flick of my hand that sent the final collar at Brenna. It wrapped around her throat and killed the other.
Still pinned in the chair by the vines, she gasped, crying as she stared around the room with wide eyes.
A snarl tore up Tempest’s throat as she stalked toward us.
Don’t,I said to her. Please.Don’t. Not yet. Soon.
Would she listen?
With a snap of my power, I blocked her from my mind before she could reply.
“Where is my brother, Camus?” Ivenrail snarled. “What did you do with him?”
“I’m afraid . . . he has been detained.”
