I swallowed, then reached for my power only to come up empty. Darkly, I prayed poison still coursed through my veins. I’d hated Artton for calling me out that day, but as I stood there with heavy breaths and trembling knees, I finally understood what he had—that one day my fear would get me killed.
I refused to prove him right.
“You found her,” a familiar voice said, shifting my fear to anger.
Wymond glanced over his shoulder, and I followed his gaze to see King Thaddeus descending a massive, ornately carved wooden staircase that curved inward as it cascaded downward us.
I took in the room then, drinking it in like it would be that last I’d ever see—despite my promise to Endymion.
There was no questioning why it was called the Great Hall. The ceiling’s expansive dome was crafted by countless geometric panes of glass in burnished autumnal colors, the sight utterly mesmerizing. Had it been sunny, I instinctively knew their colors would litter the rustic redwood beneath my feet in a way that continued the tapestry of leaves blanketing the ground on the other side of the glass walls as if there was no divide. If I hadn’t found myself living my own personal nightmare, I would’ve reveled in its warm beauty—the kind that called for a hearth and a warm blanket.
Thaddeus’ gaze lingered on me for a moment before flicking past me, and I shuddered at the poorly veiled menace in his eyes. “Ah, the traitor returns,” he purred.
Slowly, I turned and regretted it instantly. Sidrick, Kaelun, Tarrin, and Artton were heavily bound on their knees. “No,” I gasped and made for him.
Their eyes flashed with fear. “Spark!” Artton called, but he was too late.
A harsh crack sounded before cool leather coiled around my neck without mercy. I gasped for air as my fingers tore at the leathery noose. The other end was tugged, pulling me hard enough that my feet left the ground as I was whipped backward.
A harsh gush of air pressed out of my lungs as I collided with the ground.
“Move again, Nyleeria,” Wymond said with lethal calm, “and I won’t be as gentle.” Adrenaline quickly stole my daze when he knelt and leaned over until his face hovered just beside mine from behind. I didn’t dare move as he tucked my hair behind my ear and hesitated for a moment when its pointed tip was exposed to the cool air as ifhe hadn’t believed I’d been turned. It was a testament to just how little he trusted Thaddeus not doubt, and I wondered if I could somehow leverage that knowledge.
“Understood?” he finally said with a low voice next to my ear.
Every tiny hair on my body stood on end.
My focus darted to my companions.Alive, I silently reminded myself in a weak attempt to bolster my waning hope. Though, as I took in Kaelun and Tarrin it was hard to feel grateful for that small mercy, given their bloodied state.
I fought back the guilt and fear that prickled behind my eyes, and as I did, the grip around my neck tightened, forcing my thoughts back to Wymond with a strangled cry.
“Is that understood?”
“Y-e-s,” I croaked through the noose.
“Very good,” he crooned, then released me.
I heaved over to my hands and knees, gasping for air through a fit of coughing. My palms on the warm, ancient wood calmed me—that is until I noted its rustic markings were eerily similar to Thaddeus’ escritoire.
“We’re going to do it here?” the king asked from my side, pulling Wymond’s attention from me as he stood to face his ally.
“Yes.” The word was cold, challenging even.
As I continued to catch my breath, a glint of light—barely noticeable—caught my eye.
“The cell would shield us from the spark,” Thaddeus argued. We should…"
I stopped listening and focused on where I’d seen the ember. It flashed again and my eyes bulged as I realized Artton was signaling me with a small flame.
Your powers are back?I mouthed.
He winked.
I glanced to Sidrick and Kaelun, who shook their heads almost imperceptibly, indicating they weren’t so lucky.
You?Artton mouthed back, asking after my powers.
I searched again, but the embers were barely there. Reading my distress, he offered me a solemn look of understanding before covertly glancing to the side, then mouthing,Courtyard.
