Page 151 of Her Ivory Flame

She walked behind Kaden still, Boone and Xander on her heels and when they turned into the throne room, she let the surprise show on her face.

Mavros sat splayed across the throne, his black wings folded behind him and was picking at something under his fingernails. His black attire familiar to her and she tried hard to push all the bad memories into the back of her mind.

His greasy hair hung down his face, deep dark circles under his even darker eyes and when he gazed her direction, she had to make sure she didn’t falter.

‘1, 2, 3,’she found herself counting for the first time in weeks to try and calm herself.

“Well, well, well.” Mavros’s voice echoed through the room. “I’ve finally found you.”

The Veiled King's eyes met hers and she swallowed hard to keep her anxiety down. She needed to do this, and she was stronger now that she had friends and her mate with her.

“Mavros.” she snarled.

Her eyes glanced around the room, pausing on the wall to her left and she saw Emris pinned against the wall. It was just like Xander said, his wings pinned with iron nails and chains across him to keep him elevated.

Emris’s head hung, no sign of consciousness, but his nostrils barely flaring showed signs of life.

“I didn’t realize you were still looking for me,” she added, her voice growling from her chest.

“I have intel saying you have most of your power back,” Mavros spoke again, sitting himself square on the throne.

“You mean your spy has told you things that may not be true,” she barked back.

“Oh I trust my spy and I would think you would too.” Mavros gestured and she saw one of the cloaked males step forward, her eyes glaring towards the figure.

When the male lowered his cloak, she unintentionally gasped and covered her hands over her mouth. Kaden snarled and both males behind her stepped closer to her.

“Declan?” she said against her hands.

“Let me explain.” Declan said calmly, his hands reaching out to her. He was still across the room but she felt everything inside her start to shatter again. If he was the spy, that meant he was the reason she lost everything in the last war.

“Not who I was expecting.” Kaden scoffed.

“Oh you were expecting him.” Mavros smirked and she saw him point to another male walking closer, Silas removing his hood seconds later.

“Yeah, that seems correct.” Kaden snarled.

Mavros gave a sinister grin and then stood, taking a couple of steps closer to them.

Her hand gripped her sword tighter and it took everything she had not to throw her power out in anger. It was roaring inside her, the pressure pushing on her skin almost unbearable but she held it back for the sake of everyone around her.

“Let’s get to the point of our little meeting as I figured you would return for this worthless king of yours.” Mavros sighed and walked closer to Emris. “I know more soldiers are on their way and I’m not stupid enough to stick around, however you have something I want.”

“I’m sure you are aware I have nothing to give you.” she glared towards him,

“You’re right, I’m really bored trying to take your power.” his eyes glazing towards Kaden suddenly. “However, my son’s power seems tobe more my style.”

Without any warning, iron arrows suddenly shot towards them from the dark corners of the room, Xander pulling her backwards as multiple pierced through Kaden’s body, luckily none hitting a lethal target.

“NO!” She screamed, her power almost exploding around her but she kept it at bay, she had to.

Kaden roared in pain, anger mixed with it and before she could do anything, Mavros’s men dragged him away from her.

“I’ll fucking kill you!” she yelled again, Xander pulling her against his chest further away from the chaos ensuing.

“You can try.” Mavros grinned. “Once I hold the Ebony Fire, I’ll be unstoppable.”

“If you have read any history, you would know my power has beaten yours before.” she barked.