“You…killed…her,” I barely manage to snarl.
He leans away, angry yet wounded. “I did what must be done—what she asked for. I tried to rid him of the curse. But my wish wasn’t enough then. It merely sealed the evil within him. And that monster fights to escape; surely you’ve seen it.”
I strain. He’s so close, I could punch him.
“Give me this wish, and we can save him, together. You will not be queen, but you will live with him. Let me have this so I can save my son.”
“Never.” As if I could ever believe a word of this. My muscles spasm violently. The hold Cael has on me is loosening further. I’m so close to having freedom of movement again. But not close enough. I can’t even summon a card.
Naethor reaches into my pocket with a sigh, as though he can sense where I stashed the golden cards.
“Get rid of them,” Naethor commands like he wasn’t just trying to win me over with lies. I’m vindicated in my not believing him. As Naethor goes to place the Majors into their slots, Ravin starts toward me. Then—
There is a shift, a change in the very currents of nature and magic themselves.
“I will never let you take something from me again, Father.” Kaelis moves like a nightmare, swirling mists curling around his hands as he launches a card in his brother’s direction. Ravin dodges. But the power was never intended for him.
It strikes Arina and me in the chest. We’re left gasping, but we’re mobile once more. As though Kaelis’s magic burned away the Emperor’s hold upon us.
“Arina, go!” I command.
“He’s mine!” She launches herself at Ravin, eyes burning with the kind of raw and feral fury that could unravel worlds.
I can’t argue with that. I turn to Naethor. Ten of the golden cards have been placed into their slots.
“Kaelis, get Cael!” I shout back, then launch myself toward Naethor. We’ll never get the upper hand as long as there is someone here who can turn us into puppets on strings.
I’m only two steps closer to the king when my body freezes.
Don’t attack,Cael commands.
Naethor abandons putting cards in their slots long enough to turn to me.
Fine.
I dart backward from Naethor’s swing and cast the Eight of Wands and Nine of Wands, enhancing my speed and dulling any pain. If I can’t attack, I’ll defend myself and keep him busy until I can retaliate. I cast a Seven of Wands toward Arina, creating a shield just in time to block one of Ravin’s attacks.
My sister is a scrappy little thing. She’s fighting tooth and nail, with eyes so filled with bloodlust they nearly bulge from her head.
Get him! Fucking tear him apart!I silently cheer her on, wishing I wasn’t panting so hard and so focused on Naethor that I could actually shout it.
The king takes advantage of my momentary distraction, closing the gap between us. “If you won’t help me further, then you are now expendable.”
Don’t move.
My body freezes at Cael’s command as Naethor’s sword is about to come down on me. But Kaelis must be getting the upper hand with Cael, because this time, he didn’t word the command well enough. I can’t move but that doesn’t stop me from casting a card. I use a Seven of Wands on myself—my last.
By the time Naethor has hacked through all seven spears of flame guarding me, I’ve broken free of Cael’s command.
A scream jerks my head in his direction. Cael falls—shadow and violet fire consumes him just as it did Emilia and the Stellis.Good, one less thing to worry about.Judgment seems to have no interest in joining the fray.
Naethor is on me again, blade flashing.
This time, I respond in kind, the Five of Swords giving me my own weapon of choice—a lighter, faster rapier. Our fighting styles couldn’t be more different. The king wields a monstrosity of a blade. Parrying would be useless, so instead I dodge, using my speed and size to my advantage. We trade cards and blows. He’s one of the best I’ve ever gone up against, and for the first time, I worry I’ve met an opponent who I can’t beat.
Then Arina’s scream splits the air. I whip around, my blood turning to ice. Ravin has her pinned.
“Kaelis!” I shout. He’d been on his way to me, but he diverts.
