“You have a similar flavor to the others,” the king told me in a lighthearted voice. “Rich, though. Only a touch sweeter than most. I can see why the commander brought you to my attention. Your power is more vibrant than other Nullens.”
Did every fortress commander report powerful Nullens to the fae king? If they wanted their own personal carafe of energy to sip from, they must be eagerly handing over Nullens like me. My commander got greedy, or he’d still be sitting inside hisoffice, savoring a taste of Nullen energy each evening while sending the rest of us after dregs during the day.
I hadn’t followed up on any of the Nullens returned to villages after raids. What happened to them? We left them, but did someone—a commander’s staff member—come behind us and scoop them back up? Dazed, they wouldn’t fight. They’d allow themselves to be completely drained by whoever took them.
Vexxion’s jaw twitched.
“Yes, lovely. Just a touch more,” Ivenrail crooned. “Then I promise I’ll leave the rest for my son.” Tipping his head back, he cackled. “I love how the spell takes hold and Nullens know nothing. Hear nothing. They allow us to do whatever we please.”
That wasn’t true. I was completely aware of everything, and I still felt no drain on my brimming well of power.
Because . . .
The king wasn’t drinking from me.
Each time he thought he was draining someone; he was instead devouring Vexxion.
10
VEXXION
Iheld myself still. Even surrounded by my threads no one could see through except Tempest, I had to take care. If the king knew I was here and what I was doing, he’d make sure I paid the price.
No one survived his rage.
I saw when Tempest understood what was happening. She remained still in the chair, but her eyes shimmered with tears. However, she didn’t try to speak, not even in our minds. She took care not to give me away.
Love for her scorched like flames through my veins. I adored this woman with such depths that even death itself could not take me from her. Each heartbeat was an echo of her name, each breath was drawn to match her rhythm. I loved her more than the night cherished the stars.
Her eyes . . . I sunk into the depths and for a heartbeat, I found comfort there. She surrounded me with somethingundefined yet pure. A balm unlike any other. It coursed across me, soothing me.
I doubted she realized it, but she was feedingmeher power.
No.
I wrenched my gaze from hers at the same moment the king removed his thumb from her forehead.
“Such a waste,” he sneered at her. “You have more than my son will ever need.” He leaned close to her, lowering his voice. “Know this. I obey no one’s rules but my own.” Leaning back, he stroked her cheek and tangled his fingertips down her neck, tracing them to the top of her leather tunic. He wasn’t speaking directly to Tempest; he’d assume she was drained enough she wouldn’t care what happened around her or what anyone did to her body.
But I heard. He only confirmed what I already knew.
Pivoting, he strode past the gameboard, around the furniture, and over to his throne, where he sat. A lift of his finger, and High Advisor Adwarin glided back into the room, stopping beside the throne, leaning close enough to catch whatever words the king might mutter.
The vines pinning Tempest to the chair released, slinking back into the floor by her feet. She remained in place, staring into nothing. One tear trickled down her cheek.
“High Advisor Adwarin,” Ivenrail said.
The advisor bowed. “I am at your command at all hours, my highness.”
“Yes, yes, whatever. Remove the rider from the room. Take her to the suite she’s sharing with Vexxion. I’ll relax a bit before I visit with the new Nullens for my next course.” His lowchuckle rang out as the high advisor crossed the room to Tempest’s side. “Deliver her only. No sampling.”
“I’d never do such a thing.” Affront blazed in his voice.
“Don’t lie to me,” the king bit out. “If I ever catch you taking power from one ofmyNullens, I’ll kill you. I won’t do it quickly.” His gaze scanned the room, not pausing on any specific location.
He didn’t know I was here. I’d worked with my threads to disguise myself for so long, they were seamless.
No one but Tempest saw me.
