As good an excuse as any.
The Nullen king was as power hungry as Ivenrail, and Brenna wasn’t his true heir. Now that he had a new queen, he must plan to replace Brenna with a new heir.
Brenna’s gown dropped to the floor, and, with our help, she stepped out of her undergarments. Taking my hand to steady herself, she climbed into the tub, sinking down into the water.
Delaine lifted the gown with magic, snatching it from the air with her finger and thumb as it dangled in front of her. Shetossed it toward me and followed the gesture by stepping close to me. “I know you killed Selitta,” she hissed.
“Oh, really?” I asked, making sure my voice only held humor. “With what? I’m Nullen. I don’t possess the magic needed to sever even one hair on Selitta’s head.”
“You did it, and you’ll pay,” she said.
“With what blade?”
None of us were allowed to wear them around royalty, not even the high advisor’s daughter.
“I won’t need one.” A flick of her finger, and my skin felt scalded, as if I’d plunged into a vat of bubbling oil.
Brenna, oblivious to the interaction, extended a dripping hand. “Hand me the soap. Better yet, wash my back for me. My feet too.”
While I gulped and sputtered and tried to summon enough power to soothe the magical burns, Delaine nonchalantly took the soap and stooped down behind Brenna. “Yes, my queen. I’ll be happy to massage your back after I wash it.”
“You’re so kind, Delaine. Thank you.”
Delaine sent me a slick smile. “I’m toying with you,” she whispered.
“That’s enough, Delaine,” Brenna snapped. “You’re rubbing my back too hard. I’ve changed my mind. I’ll wash my own feet. Leave me. I want to soak a bit. I’ll call out when I’m ready for you to return to dry me.”
Like when I met up with Selitta in the forest, I couldn’t move. At least I could breathe.
Drask squawked and flew up from the edge of the tub,landing on my shoulder. He fluttered his body, his wing smacking my ear.
Delaine grabbed my arm as she passed, dragging me from the bathing area.
My heart pounded in my throat, and only my ragged breathing told me that I still lived.
Delaine neatly tugged on the bathing area door, leaving it open only a crack so we could hear Brenna when she called out. Then she leaned close to me. “I’m a chall, and you’re a fluffy little marscapole. I’m going to play with you until I’m ready to make the kill.”
19
TEMPEST
Iscooped a bunch of power from my well and blasted it out of me, flinging it at Delaine.
She shuddered. Eyes wide, she reeled back from me, her arms lifting.
The scalded feeling went away, and I could move.
Before she could find a way to retaliate, the outer door opened, and Reyla drifted into the room. She moved over to stand beside me, though I doubted Delaine would care if a drained Nullen witnessed her revenge.
“What’s going on out there?” Brenna called out. “I do hope you’re all getting along. I’ll be very displeased if you’re not.”
“Everything’s fine,” I said in a breezy voice. “Delaine and I were merely having a discussion.”
“Remember, I’m toying with you,” Delaine said with a smirk. “When I’m ready to act, beware.” She ripped Brenna’s gown from my hands and took it to the closet.
I limped over to the sofa, more shaken from the encounter than I wanted to admit. Delaine was not as powerful as Ivenrail or Vexxion. She couldn’t be.
But if I couldn’t best Delaine, there was no way I’d be able to kill Ivenrail. I needed to train harder and push myself every single moment I had to make sure I was prepared, because I didn’t have much time left.
