Rhay blocked the attack of another masked fae, keeping close to Lora. She noticed his attacker wavering. Was Rhay using his power to lower his aggression? She wished she had a power like him, one that didn’t burn the life out of someone.
Another fae headed towards Lora. Rhay tripped him as the fae ran past. Lora, compelled by what must be insanity, ran forward and stepped on the fae’s hand before he could stand up. Kicking his sword out of reach, she had to stop putting pressure on his arm, and the fae grabbed her foot, tripping her. She fell hard, knocking the wind out of her as pain radiated down her back.
The fae scrambled forward, leaning over her, trying to make her drop her dagger. She slashed out widely, catching his hand. Blood streamed from his wound as he let out a yell, but it didn’t stop him from grabbing her wrist that was holding the dagger and twisting hard enough to make her drop it. With all her strength, she kicked at him, but his hand circled her throat.
A new wave of fear washed over, drowning her. She was having trouble breathing, clinging to consciousness as she desperately tried to catch air. Bloody fingernails dug into her skin. Lora could only see the fae’s eyes through the black mask covering his face. As the pressure on her throat increased, the black mask turned into a different face.
First Kelvion.
Then Karwyn.
Both hateful, unrelenting, their eyes promising pain and suffering. Why did they keep taking andtakingfrom her?
There was no end, only this moment. The water drowning her turned into determination, into scorching fire, evaporating her sea of fear.
She couldn’t die now.
She couldn’t hold back.
She wouldn’tcease.
Lora’s hand grabbed her attacker’s arm. The fire in her woke up with a start, taking over like it had always been there to fall back on. As the fae squeezed her throat tighter, darkness made her eyes blurry and her body weakened, but she didn’t give up. Letting her eyes fall shut, Lora focused on the heat flowing under her skin, on the power coursing through her. It was right there, and it washers.
Snarling, Lora’s eyes snapped open as she set the fae’s arm on fire. Flames stretched up inches from her face, but sheknewthey wouldn’t hurt her. Onlyhim.
Her attacker yelled in panic as he drew back, his other hand smacking at his arm, at her unstoppable fire. Apparently realising her fire wouldn’t cease, he inched his non-burning arm towards her throat as his hateful gaze met hers.
On instinct, Lora grabbed her fallen dagger and stabbed the fae’s neck. His efforts stopped, and Lora pushed him off, pulling the dagger towards her again before he could fall forward. Something wet marked her cheek. Wiping at it, Lora was momentarily shocked by the blood on her hands. Not hers. She’d done it again. Shouldn’t she regret it?
Lora couldn’t fall down that rabbit hole now, so she got up unsteadily, her eyes landing on Rhay, who was fighting two fae. Her gaze darted to the windows where more masked fae were storming into the room.
Reaching within her, this time with little effort, Lora set the curtains on fire then the window bank. Fae screamed as they drew back. The fire took on its own life, but Lora saw Kaylanthea use her water to extinguish any flames drawing too close to their people. The queen gave Lora a grateful smile.
“Lora, watch out!” Rhay yelled as he ran towards her. She turned just in time to blow fire into the face of her new attacker. “Anyone ever told you that’s a neat trick you got there?” Rhay asked as he joined her. His satin turquoise blouse was ripped and bloodied. The many silver rings he wore were stained red. He looked worse for wear but more alive than she’d ever seen him. Purpose looked good on him.
More fae circled Rhay and Lora as they stood back to back. “This is your time to shine, little Adelway. Blast the fuckers.”
Yet she could feel her power dwindling, and she remembered what happened last time. Determined, she stared into the eyes of the closest fae as she said to Rhay, “I have a better idea.” She lit her dagger on fire. This move, she knew by heart.
Rhay laughed despite everything. “Whatever does it for you, love.”
They charged. Lora could only hear swords clashing behind her; her focus was on the fae in front of her. He charged at her with his own dagger, his movements faster than anticipated. The dagger grazed her side when she tried to block it with her own. It wasn’t a deep wound, but it was enough to fill her veins with a newfound fire.
The flames enveloping her dagger grew, much like her determination. The next time he struck, Lora blocked him. Their daggers met, both almandine, both deadly. But hers was unstoppable.
As the fire of her dagger met his cold one, his dagger broke in half. The fae stared at the handle of his broken weapon, and for the first time, Lora saw fear in his deadly eyes. But he wouldn’t see it in hers. All she wanted him to see wasfire.
He tried to pull back, but she kicked at his shin as she struck at him. Twisting just in time, he escaped a deadly cut as Lora’s dagger grazed his shoulder instead. The fae clutched his wound as blood poured down his arm.
Holding up his free hand, he backed away slowly. “Please…”
The word stopped Lora in her tracks. She dropped her arm, but didn’t drop her fiery dagger. Suddenly, the fae didn’t look like a deadly attacker. In his place stood a frightened fae, a regretful one. Lora didn’t move.Why were they doing this? Why was he putting his life in danger?
When Lora didn’t attack, the assailant turned and dashed away.
The fire by the windows had slowly decreased. Some of the attackers seemed to sense the end of the fight and climbed out the windows to escape punishment. How had they gotten into the palace? The garden was surrounded by palace walls. This had to be a well-planned attack.
Feeling a presence by her side, Lora immediately raised her dagger, swinging towards the fae. Adrenaline was keeping her upright, fuelled.
