“Don’t touch them again,” the king said pleasantly. A flick of his finger, and the high advisor was lifted and tossed toward the door. He hit hard and smacked onto the floor again, rising even slower this time. He didn’t flit from the room. Whatever power he’d taken from me would not serve him well now.
He staggered as he opened the door and limped from the room.
The king turned back to me and Reyla. “It’s hard to find decent advisors, don’t you think?”
“What did you do to Vexxion?” I asked with a lift of my chin.
“I don’t answer Nullen questions.” He stepped toward me. “However, since I’m feeling jovial tonight, I’ll entertain you with a story. My son has reconsidered his impertinent behavior, though he’ll spend some time repenting.”
“Where is he?” I bellowed.
Ivenrail tsked. “You really are persistent, aren’t you? I’ll need to slice that from your hide. As for my son, he’s contemplating what he’s done and thinking of ways he can make amends.”
Where are you?
Vexxion did not reply. I couldn’t even tell if he heard me. Panic dragged its talons across my soul.
“What did you do to him?”
“I’m hungry. It’s time to feed.” He smacked his thumb against Reyla’s forehead, and she shuddered, her head jerking back to hit the chair with a snap. “Luscious,” he crooned, his body undulating as he tugged from the core of her energy. “This one’s quite tasty. I can see why Zayde still hesitates to share.” He closed his eyes as he drank, his throat quivering with the movement as if he actually sucked her power down into his belly, gorging himself to the point of explosion.
Finally, he drew in a breath and released it. He tugged away his thumb and opened his eyes. “There’s not much left in this one, I’m afraid.” His gaze snapped to meet mine. “Should I take it all?”
“What happens to her if you do?” Did I truly need to ask when I already knew? Tears trickled down my face. I was losing another friend, adding one more reason to gut this man, twist the knife, then slash it across his throat. Death was too good for him.
Rage boiled inside me, but I had no way to let it free.
“I doubt you truly want to know.” He stroked Reyla’s face. “This one was barely useful before I drained whatever she had left just now. I doubt I’ll get much more from her in the future.”
“You’re a bastard.”
“My father would disagree.”
“Can she be brought back?” There must be a way. He might know how. “Is there a spell?”
He frowned, his hand on his chin, his finger tapping his cheek. “I believe I heard about this at one time.”
“Tell me.”
His gaze flicked to the door leading to a room behind the throne no one had entered or exited from during any of my visits. His infamous bedroom?
“There must be a book with this information,” I said. “Someone wrote it all down.”
“There are many books about many topics. I’m a collector. Did you know that?”
Why would I?
“I’m always searching for new treasures, new books as well.”
“Have you found one that discusses collars?”
“Of course. Iamthe king.” Frowning, he looked from my face to my bound hands and legs. “You’re a lowly Nullen. Information such as that is only available to certain fae.”
Himself, he meant.
“Through the years, I’ve collected many books. Some reveal more than you could ever imagine. Others withhold information on purpose, nasty things that they are.”
I scanned this room, but found no bookcase, no ancienttomes lying around. I hadn’t found a library inside the castle, but it could be hidden.
