Nostrils flared. Eyes began to glow. The power in my veins filled the hall, until every single terrestrial was staring at me.
My power tugged at its restraints. A tingling started at the tips of my fingers. Once, that sensation had sent terrorroaring through me. Now, the void was a comfort, an escape, beckoning…
A sharp movement across the hall caught my gaze—demanded it.
Barkke.
He’d dumped the lusty female somewhere, now stood against the stone wall. Towering over everyone, his mace resting on his shoulder. That was the movement I’d seen—him pulling it from his belt and swinging upward in one swift, brutally efficient motion.
Challenge.
My hands moved for my daggers. I’d slip into the void and slit his throat before—
His startlingly green eyes flashed, but not with desire this time.
A warning, not a challenge. A reminder not to give in to the power. To be the queen I was playing so hard at being—irreverent, powerful, superior.
I curled my bloodied fingers into a fist. Then quickly, just as suddenly as I’d shattered the wine glass, I flung my fingers wide, my blood flying in droplets around me. I smirked at the terrestrials, the ones with my blood now dappling their clothing and skin.
“Go ahead, have a taste of true power,” I purred.
The music began again at a signal from Elayne. Conversations began anew. When my eyes again found Barkke, his mace was back in its place on his belt. He lifted his hands and silently applauded.
I held that smirk in place on my face, even as every drop of wine I’d consumed threatened to reappear.
I couldn’t remain at the feast much longer. Elayne had mentioned gifts. They would be presented to her and Pant, as Lord and Lady of Eilean Gayl. She’d warned me that some of themore powerful terrestrials in the area might present some to me as well. Power acknowledging power. The true currency of the terrestrial kingdom.
But she’d have to accept them on my behalf. The pressure in my chest was nearly unbearable. Perhaps something I’d eaten—
The entire hall went dark, every flame doused. Blades sang as they emerged from their sheaths. Screams. Snarls and flapping wings and even a hiss as terrestrials all around shifted. The gush and scent of blood.
It was just like when Arthur was murdered. The sudden darkness, the confusion, the blood.So much blood…
My daggers were already in my hands, but I didn’t raise them. I couldn’t.
I wasn’t in control of my body or the snarl, the rolling growl that built until I was howling.
The massive doors of the hall flew open, icy winter cold sweeping in off of the lake.
Another howl. Menace, command, threat—and not mine.
Lyrena’s fire flickered, a single plume of it cast straight up toward the arched stone ceiling, illuminating the great hall of Eilean Gayl.
And the massive white wolf framed in the doorway.
A half dozen terrestrials were dead.
Some stood proudly over their kills, daring those nearby to challenge them, give them another opportunity to prove their strength. Others were content to let the dead lie unclaimed. I did not care what scores had been settled in those moments of all-encompassing dark.
My heart was beating so hard I thought it might explode out of my chest. The golden thread, so frayed and stretched these weeks… now strong. And pulling hard.
I stumbled forward. One step, two. My body struggled to catch up with my heart. I felt the sob pushing up through me, as unstoppable as the snarl and howl had been.
“Arran.” A whisper—raw and full of aching need that not even my elemental blood could disguise.
A blink and he shifted.
My mate stood before me, seven feet tall, dark hair pulled loose from the knot at the back of his head, deep bronze skin glowing. Whole. Black eyes blazing with fury that I wanted to taste.
