I nearly rose from the table. Elijah caught that he’d gotten to me, and Emma’s hand wrapped around mine. She gave my fingers a squeeze, to tell me to calm down. She responded cooly, “You should be thankful I didn’t finish the job. Because I wanted to.”
Elijah’s teeth flashed as he gritted them together. His fists bunched up, and he ground out, “I suggest you watch what you say, little bitch. As you saw with Nowak’s father, kings can die fairly quickly. And it’s not uncommon for the new leader to force the previous alpha female to submit. Maybe you’ll even like it.”
The wolf inside me snapped. When Elijah made that threat against Emma, I completely lost it. Red hot rage consumed me and took away everything except a primal instinct I had to protect my mate.
The table upended as I transformed on the spot. Screams shattered the night. I flew over the table, and my paws landed on Elijah’s shoulders. I pinned him to the ground, bearing my canines. Elijah was so shocked that he froze beneath me, and with my weight pressed against him, he couldn’t move. My breath was hot on his face as I dove in to end his life for good.
“Ethan, stop!” Lord Lucien was there at an instant. He threw his arms around my shoulders in an attempt to hold me back. Several other men came forward, to drag me off of Elijah. I was distinctly aware of Stefan and Theo.
It took multiple people to drag me away. I finally changed back as the all-consuming fury began to die out, and Elijah scampered to his feet, the blood drained from his cheeks.
Fear. I could smell it on him. Even now, I still wanted to end him. I’d asked Emma to spare his life during the Contest because he was my cousin, nothing more. That appeared to be a mistake.
“Stop the feast!”
Gabby’s voice broke through the commotion. My eyes flashed upward; Emma rose from her seat. Gabby came blazing in through the entrance of the tent, officials behind her. Their old faces seemed stern and condemning. Steward Soloman was with them. He, too, seemed solemn and strict. Lady Magdalina met them in the middle of the room.
“What is the meaning of this?” she burst. “How dare you interrupt the feast of the king!”
“He doesn’t deserve a feast, and neither does she!” Gabby pointed at Emma. “She cheated!”
Astonished gasps scattered throughout the tent. My stomach bottomed out.Oh, no. This couldn’t be happening.
Steward Soloman came forward. “I’m afraid there’s been a mistake,” Steward Soloman announced. “We must alter the results of the Contest.”
“For what reason?” Magdalina snapped.
Steward Soloman fished in his robes. “Because of this.”
He opened his palm to show the dark necklace. Whispers ran throughout the room. “This item was found in Prince Ethan and Miss Sosna’s tent, after being searched. Miss Ciar brought it to our attention that the two of them were influencing the competition unfairly. This evidence has sealed the charges against them.”
Lady Korva immediately stepped forward. “She used dark magic to win!” Lady Korva gestured her hand wildly at Emma. “Is the Circle going to allow this blatant insult against them?”
“Prove it,” Lady Magdalina snapped. “Prove that this wasn’t planted in their tent!”
Heads turned in Emma’s direction. No one spoke a word, or dared to breathe. Emma appeared like a terrified girl before a pack of wolves.
“Go on,” Lady Magdalina said confidently. “Unseelie magic leaves traces. Remove your cloak. Prove them wrong.”
With a trembling hand, Emma was forced to withdraw her cloak. Sounds of distress and disbelief echoed around the tent as the scars around her neck from wearing the necklace were clear for all to see.
Lady Magdalina was at a cross between horror and disbelief. Lucien, I was ashamed to see, appeared wholly disappointed.
“This proves it!” Lady Korva burst. “The magic she used weren’t from the abilities of her own talent! She drew them from a dark source!”
Steward Soloman shook his head. “A terrible illusion, I see. It seems there is only one thing to do, in this case.”
He turned toward the crowd and raised his voice. “As Prince Ethan and Emmaline Sosna altered their results of the Contest through unholy means, the crown must pass to the second place winners; Elijah Zlodia and Gabriella Ciar.”
“No!” Emma and I both shouted at the same time. No one listened. Scattered applause rang out like death bells within the tent. Elijah beamed proudly, with a fond look at his mate. Gabby only had eyes for Emma, and she raised her head in a gloating matter.
“Restart the Contest! Put on another tournament, to choose a different king!” Emma blurted.
Steward Soloman frowned. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. Although what you and Prince Ethan did is a crime, it’s not a significant enough charge to hold an entirely new competition. You merely cheated. And although it costs you your placing, it does not throw out the results of the other contestants. We cannot wait another year to perform the ceremonies and ask for the blessing of the gods once more. The crown must go to the runner-up.”
“Don’t be so upset. You cheated,” Elijah taunted. “Don’t break the rules of the Contest and maybe you would’ve been able to keep your placing.”
Emma made a sarcastic noise. “Looks like being offended can even win you a throne these days,” Emma spat back.
