“The door!” I yell just as her mate dissolves into smoke.
“I’ll go find him, Mádhi. Be right back.”
“No! Fallon!” With a growl, I bang my fists against the wood. Another tremor shoots through the earth. It’s so strong it almost buckles my knees. “FALLON!” My throat burns from how shrilly I call out her name.ENZO!
“Do not rage against her. She is only trying to protect you.”
I whirl because the voice that has filled my mind for weeks is now filling the air. “Meriam?” I gasp.
“Hello, my beautiful daughter.”
Chapter 45
Cathal
The Faerie broke her out.
Heactuallybroke Meriam out. And I fucking helped. I should never have carried Justus’s duplicitous ass to Shabbe for a glimpse of a woman. I should’ve let Imogen carry him. Yes, the end result would’ve been the same, but at least, I wouldn’t feel like I’d participated in their little scheme, which is bound to leave the Cauldron in a pissy mood for Mórrígan knows how long this time.
I swerve over the palace where chaos rages as guards and sorceresses run amok. Where most dash toward their queen’s chamber, some run toward the wreckage that is Behati’s wing. Are they expecting to find Meriam in the rubble? Knowing the sorceress, she’s long gone.
Dádhi? What are you doing here?
I could ask you the same thing, ínon.
How about we discuss it later? Have you seen Enzo?
Enzo?
The green Serpent. Mother’s—she stops talking, swallows—friend.
I know who he is, Fallon.What I don’t understand is why you think I’d be looking for him.
I just thought you might’ve seen him.
Fine. I did,I grumble.He went to visit the queen earlier. Probably still inside with her. Where’s your mother?
I locked her in her bathing chamber. She’s safe.
From what?
From herself. From whatever’s happening out here. What ishappening?
You mean, why are all the sorceresses of Priya’s coven racing around like headless chickens? Because Rossi broke his blushing bride out of her underground cell.
I’m going to find Enzo and get him out of here. Go find Mádhi and fly her out. The spell will allow a Crow to unlock the door.
We’ve got a situation.Lore’s voice bangs between my temples.
What situation?I ask as I burst into smoke and swoop beneath Daya’s bedchamber door.It’s Priya. She’s been drained.
The shock that bursts through my chest is so violent that I weave back into skin. Is Lorcan saying…? Is he saying…?
The Queen is dead.
For a long heartbeat, I just stand there, because there exists no one in this world stronger than the Shabbin Queen. But I’m wrong.Meriam is equally powerful.
Meriam, who’s on the loose.
