“I don’t want your forgiveness,” she spits. Mayah pulls free from my grasp, taking an unsteady step forward. Her wounds weep blood, ice shards still embedded in her flesh. “You should be begging for mine.”
“For what exactly?” Tormik’s expression doesn’t change, but his energy signature pulses violently with rage. I step in front of Mayah, blocking her with my body before he can attack.
But Mayah’s small hands push at my back.
“No. I do this alone.” Tears trace wet paths down her cheeks, but her face is steely with cold resolve.
My jaw clenches tight. It goes against every instinct roaring in my body, but I step aside. This is her battle. She’s a fucking force. She can do this.
And if it seems like she can’t—she can hate me for interfering when I’m gone.
Tormik doesn’t waste a moment. As soon as I move, he launches a thick stream of water at his daughter.
A wave of her hand, and it splashes to the ground.
I loose half a breath, nails digging half-crescents into my palms.
“Tell me, my ungrateful daughter,” Tormik spits. “What are your grievances?”
“You murdered my mother!” An ice spear aimed at his head, easily avoided. “You lied about it for years! Manipulated me into becoming your weapon!” Water snakes over his legs and freezes, another ice shard hurtling for his throat.
All melted away.
My heart pounds in my throat, sword drawn and ready. An unforgiving terror seeps into my bones and claws at my ribs. Tormik appears to be at full strength, but Mayah isdrained. Only two hours ago, she was beneath the crumbling remains of a skiesdamned building.
“You tortured me with countless fucking storms, left me alone to suffer through them!” The utter anguish in her voice tears a gaping hole in my chest. Guilt and regret flood the hollow it leaves behind.
She doesn’t cease her attacks, but it’s taking a toll on her—her movements are slower. An ice shard scrapes against Tormik’s cheek, leaving a line of blood that sends a wave of satisfaction through me.
“You’re weak,” Tormik snarls. “You’ve always been weak. A tidescursed disappointment. Always wanting more. Embarrassing me in council meetings with your pathetic pleas for commons. So much like your mother. I gave youeverything.”
My breath cleaves through my lungs as an ice spear barrels towards Mayah’s head, barely avoided.
“You gave meNOTHING!” Her pained, outraged scream has me stepping forward, my storm rattling the sky.
“I gave you Daak,” Tormik purrs, the smirk on his face telling me he knows he’s twisting the knife.
No prickles. Fuck.
Mayah’s pale face grows ashen, mouth parting in disbelief.
“You think I wasn’t aware of what was happening in my own palace? I only allowed it because Daak swore to keep your virtue intact.”
Disgust wells hot on my tongue.
“You’re lying,” Mayah hisses, swaying slightly. I take another step forward, sword ready.
Tormik shrugs. “Believe what you will. I’ve grown bored, Daughter. The warriors advised me not to come. That it was too dangerous—but I wanted to see for myself. See my sniveling traitor of an heir one last time. Goodbye, Mayah.”
Lightning cracks through the air—not mine, this time. A large bolt, then another.
Mayah’s eyes widen, then clench shut, chest heaving with shallow breaths.
The skiesdamned spinelessbastard.
Searing fury crackles down my back. Enough. Thunder rumbles as I step forward, hand raised and—
Mayah’s eyes snap open. A brief, gut-wrenching beat.
