“Are you trying to impress the Nullen king?” Vexxion asked, his head tilting slightly. He studied Ivenrail; did he see something I didn’t? “He’s gifted you with his daughter. Soon, you’ll have it all. Lydel Court will be yours. Riftflame will give in after that; they’ll have no choice if they hope to survive. All you’ve craved is within your grasp.”
“His new queen is with child,” Ivenrail said softly.
“Does Brenna know?” Vexxion asked, his voice still as bland as if he discussed dragon claw oil. How long had it taken him to perfect this neutral tone of voice and perfect mask?
I suspected he’d learned how to do it before he turned six.
My heart ached for the child he’d been, for the man he would’ve become if none of this had happened. I loved him for who he was now, but if I could, I’d take away the horrors of his past, even if that meant he was no longer mine.
Ivenrail slammed his fist on the table, making the silverware rattle and Reyla jump. “I don’t care what Brenna thinks.”
“Then what’s your point?” Oh, Vexxion’s voice was so deadly. It even made chills claw upmyspine. How could Ivenrail remain immune?
He thought the spells he’d cast on Vexxion kept him safe. That was why.
One day soon, those spells would snap, and then it would be over. Perhaps I could find a way to break them, and then—
“Once the child is born, she won’t be the heir to his throne.”
“What do you plan to do about that?”
“Nothing so far.” Ivenrail stood. “But at this point . . .”
“You’re being careful,” Vexxion said.
Ivenrail huffed. “Bring the two Nullens to my room.”
Vexxion’s severed pinky finger twitched where it rested on the table. “Very well.”
A sly smile curled one corner of Ivenrail’s lips. “Don’t come with them.”
“I never do.”
“Not even when you’re masked by your puny silver threads?”
25
TEMPEST
Itried to swallow, but my throat had clogged off with terror. Everything I’d dumped into my belly kept trying to come up. If I hurled all over Ivenrail, would he let us go?
The thought of going to Ivenrail’s suite gouged dread through me like a spear, but knowing that he’d drain Vexxion of his precious power instead of us made it even worse. How long could Vexxion keep feeding this evil fiend’s thirst before he had nothing left to give? It took time to refill a well. I worried one day soon Ivenrail would take it all, leaving nothing left of the man I loved.
Vexxion glanced toward me and Reyla. The desperation in his gaze was enough to make my heart come to a shuddering halt. He would not allow the king to harm me like he had his mother. He’d sacrifice himself rather than stand by and let it happen. “Tempest ismine. I claimed her.”
I love you,he rasped. Take Reyla and run.
I tried to move but something kept me pinned in the chair. Not Ivenrail’s magic.
It was me. I refused to leave Vexxion here to deal with this alone.
Ivenrail’s gaze landed on Reyla. “You didn’t claim the other one.”
“Zayde did.”
“We’re family, which means they’re mine,” Ivenrail snarled, his hands forming fists on the table. “Do not defy me in this. I want power, and they don’t need it. As for your threads, you’re a fool to think something like that would slip past me.”
“What threads do you speak of?” Vexxion asked.
