“Okay. I guess we better go, then.” She glanced at me and gave me a reassuring smile.
“May I do you the honor of creating a portal? Just want to see that you get back safely.” Kaem circled his index finger, and a whirlpool formed at the tip.
Arielle smiled. “Thanks. See you again soon.”
“My Lady.” He dipped his head, then smiled at me.
With a swish of his hand, the whirlpool widened and stabilized to a white glow, looking less chaotic.
Arielle held my hand and guided me through into radiant light. Kaem and the harbor vanished, and magic hummed around us. For a heartbeat, there was nothing, then the world folded in on itself as if we were being drawn through a seam in reality.
Moments later, we stood inside a meeting room. I realized we were at Vyrenth Hollow.
The swirl of light faded, revealing Wolfe seated at the head of the table in a high-backed chair that amplified his imposing presence. The Bloodsworn flanked him, silent and unmoving.
My eyes locked with Wolfe’s. I took in the stony expression on his face, and an ominous sensation settled in the pit of my stomach.
I didn’t know how or why, but I had the sinking feeling that everything was about to change.
Again.
Chapter 19
Elariya
“Of Chains and Crowns”
Wolfe’s jaw was set in a hard line, his blue eyes burning with something dangerous.
Golden afternoon light streamed through the tall windows, catching the sharp angles of his face and turning his long raven hair to polished obsidian where it fell over his shoulders.
His hands were braced flat against the table, and his stare made me forget we weren’t alone in the room.
“Please, sit.” He gestured toward the end of the table, indicating to both of us.
I noticed the tension in Arielle’s shoulders as she moved ahead of me. Then my attention shifted to the others—the Bloodsworn.
Bastian didn’t look at me.
Alaric remained stoic, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that tightened something deep inside my chest. Actually, on seeing him closer, he looked like he was about to snap. Like he was holding himself together by sheer will.
Garrick sat rigidly, shoulders locked in place. Still, he offered me the barest crack of a smile as I pulled out the chair and sat.
The moment I sank into the plush cushion, my focus snapped back to Wolfe. I watched him, waiting.
Silence stretched, until it became almost painful.
At last, Wolfe lifted his chin, straightened, and cleared his throat. “I have considered the matters at hand and decided it was time we addressed them.” His voice was controlled and measured, the tone of a king reminding his court who held the power. “I have thought on the situation in Galaythia, the mortal lands, and the concerns between us.”
He paused, his gaze lingering on me. Everyone in the room seemed to lean in.
“I have decided that Elariya will stay here in Galaythia.”
For a beat, I didn’t understand what I was hearing. It felt like he was talking about somebody else.
Then it hit… He meantme.
Shock snapped me to my feet, my body trembling with a mixture of fury and terror. I glared at him. “What did you just say?”
