I wasn’t sure about that. My gaze sought Faelith, who stood nearby. “Could you take Farris out to play? I know it’s raining, but he needs to run.”
“I don’t mind one bit, my queen.” Faelith shot a bright smile at her fiancé, Surren’s way.
“Take Surren with you to make sure Farris and Faelith remain safe.” They’d be safe no matter what, but this would give her and Surren some time alone.
“Of course, my queen.”
She hurried across the room to collect the nyxin’s collar and leash.
“I’m going to the training room with Merrick,” I announced to those in the hall.
“I’ll help you change.” Calista eased past me into the sitting room with her daughter, Moira, right behind.
“I can change my clothing myself,” I pointed out.
“I’m happy to help her,” Merrick added, the ass.
No, the ass was supposed to be Lorant. Who wasalsoMerrick.
My mind was spinning from this already.
While Faelith left with Farris and Surren, I let Calista andMoira help me change. That kept Merrick from following me into the bedroom.
After, we strode down the hall, guards clustering around us in a protective formation. Rain lashed against the high windows, the sound distant and throbbing. The air felt charged, not unlike the moment before a lightning strike—tingling, close, and heavy with unspoken tension. My boots thudded against the floor in rhythm with Merrick’s steps.
He glanced down at me, his expression an unreadable mask. At any other time, I might have admired his restraint, his ability to hold steady even in uncertainty, but now it grated on my nerves.
The thought was cut short as a blast of heat swept through the hall, so hot it made it hard to suck in a breath. I paused mid-step, hairs prickling on the back of my neck.
Merrick’s gaze darted around. “Reyla?—”
Another burst of air rippled through the hallway, a pulse of overpowering wrongness that stole what was left of my calm. Magic crackled at the edges of my senses, coiling like a serpent ready to strike. My stomach lurched as if the floor was tilting, though my feet remained steady on the stone.
“What’s going on?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the whip of thunder outside. A crack and boom was followed by a blaze of lightning.
I sensed Merrick's power rippling around us, warding us—but from what?
Ahead of us, a blade ripped free from one of the guard’s scabbards, slicing through the leather. As scraps tumbled down his leg, the guard yelped.
Freed, the dagger jerked up and whipped around in the air, the pointy end aiming my way.
Fuck, not again.
With a hiss, the blade shot toward me in a streak of silver, aimed directly for my heart.
“Reyla!” Merrick’s bellow jerked through the hall. He latched onto me and swept me behind him. A rush of energy roared out from him and a wall of shimmering air rose between us, deflecting the dagger. It clanged as it ricocheted off the wall and clattered to the floor.
“By the fates,” the guard stuttered, his voice tight with fear and shame. He rushed over and collected the fallen blade, staring down at it. “I—I didn’t. It?—”
“It wasn’t you,” Merrick snapped. His emerald eyes scanned the hall, rage smoldering in their depths. When his face smoothed, he nodded curtly at the guard. “We’ll continue.”
“But—”
“We’re continuing to the training room,” he bit out.
“Very well, Sire.” The guard cast a wary glance at the others, then spun.
We kept going. I knew better than to ask questions where anyone—or anything—could hear. But this was all adding up in both a bad and a good way.
