The empress glared at the queen consort. Then she took a deep breath. She smiled, one of her very bright fake smiles. “You’re right.” She placed a hand on Adelina’s shoulder. “Sorry, my dear. It has been such a stressful day.”
Then the empress turned to Elias, fixing him with her icy gaze. She smiled.
But this was not a fake smile. This smile was filled with all the malevolence and hatred she held for him. It had built up over years and years. And now she wanted to release it.
Gerard shuffled closer, leaning over Elias as if trying to protect him from Empress Emmeline’s wrath.
“I have been looking forward to killing you.” Murder glinted in her grey eyes.
Two groups of sorcerers, one lightning and one wind, got into position behind her.
The muscles in Elias’s body coiled tight. His bound hands twitched. He should attack now. But heneededto know where the attack on the dragon king was taking place. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to save him.
“I know it is rather base of me to enjoy you suffering.” She tilted her head. “But one must savour life’s little pleasures, don’t you think? Beau and Anais send their regards. They wished they could be here too, of course. But they are busy. However, I promised them I’d torture you before I killed you and tell them all about how you screamed in pain.”
That meant he had more time to work out where the king was being lured. But how long could he be torturedbefore he became too incapacitated to stand a chance of fighting back? Especially against so many sorcerers and soldiers.
“The people of Voltaria and Zephyrias loved and adored you despite your obvious weaknesses, flaws, and incompetence. They cared for you more than my own children.” Empress Emmeline’s eyes narrowed.
“Why would they preferyouover my children? They are so much better than you. In every single way. They are smarter, stronger, and more responsible than you. But still the people love you more. Even the king still loves you, despite how vexing you are. But no more. You will be reduced to nothing.
“Drag Prince Gerard away from him,” she ordered. “I don’t want him to be shocked. Not yet.”
“No!” Gerard shouted and struggled as the soldiers pulled him back.
“I thought it fitting that your own sorcerers start the torture.” She gestured to the lightning sorcerers, but she did not tear her gaze from Elias, as if not wanting to miss a second of the pain he was about to experience.
The sorcerers’ fingers moved, weaving together, the exact same movements at the exact same time. Their hands flashed.
And as their fingers gestured towards Elias, the lightning came. And so did the pain.
Chapter
Sixty
Gerard struggled against his shackles. Elias writhed on the stone. His face twisted and spasmed. His mouth opened on a silent scream.
The metal bit into Gerard’s wrists. Hands on Gerard’s arms and shoulders held him back. With a yell, Gerard got a foot beneath him. He started to rise. But another soldier stepped forward. Once again, he hit Gerard in the gut with the butt of his spear. Gerard doubled over.
But Gerard would not give up. With every bit of strength he had, he fought and strained against the soldiers’ grips but to no avail.
And all the while, Elias kept writhing in pain.
“Elias!” Gerard shouted. “Elias!”
Why does he not fight back? Why does he not try?
Gerard could not comprehend it. If Elias were an archmage, than surely now was the time to fight!
His stomach sank.
I was wrong. I was wrong. And now I will watch him die.
A strangled cry choked Gerard. “Elias!” he screamed.
The lightning stopped. The sorcerers stood still, atattention, gaze on the empress, waiting for her next instruction.
Elias twitched on the stone.
