Page 39 of A War of Three Kings

I circle around him, forcing him to turn so his back is never to me.

“See that tree?” I point to the mess that became of the pretty pot plant Drake used for demonstrations. Limp roots spill across the ground and long, thick branches tumble through the space like a thicket of brambles.

“I see it.”

“Destroy it,” I order. “Funnel your power into it. Turn the wood to ash. Break it into splinters.”

Edmund raises an eyebrow at me. “And how am I supposed to do that?”

I take a step closer to him. “Do you have any idea of the blocks you have put on your magic? This glamour and instinct to fit in comes at a cost.” I grab his hand and force it onto the tree. “Feed your awareness into the tree until you canfeelits life force, then grab it with your power and obliterate it. Wield your earth magic into the branches. You are born of Autumn. Death and destruction for the renewal of life is your power.”

A heartbeat passes, followed by another. A flush creeps up Edmund’s neck and engulfs his face.

I sense the moment he takes hold of the tree’s essence and I throw up thick air shields around each of us. The branch under his grip is whole one moment, then it bursts into fine dust particles that hold their shape for a heartbeat before dissipating on the wind.

“Good,” I say. “But you can do better. Put all of your power into it. Create splinters. Your daughter did it within minutes of meeting me.”

“That is because she is a smart girl. Did she impale you with those splinters?” He shoots me a sinister look that turns into awolfish grin as I rub one of the places on my chest where her stakes pierced me.

“Yeah. Turned me into a pincushion.”

“Like I said. She is a smart girl.” Edmund wraps his fingers around the tree’s trunk as though he is strangling a man. The dark looks he sends my way tells me enough about who he envisions. I take a few steps back, glancing up at the balcony to throw a protective shield around Keira, but she is gone.

A low, guttural sound leaves Edmund’s lips and tendons stand out along his forearms. The tree bursts into thousands of wooden daggers that shoot out in every direction, many embedding into the grout of the brickwork enclosing the courtyard. I lazily weave my shield into a wedge, directing the barbs away from me.

If I hadn’t anticipated this, I could have been gravely injured.

“Do you see how this could be useful in a battle?” I say, and Edmund grunts in reply, doubled over and heaving as he recoups himself. “Not just as a weapon. How many human fortifications are made of wood?”

Those brutal emerald eyes flick up at me. “I can do that to wood that is not alive?”

I shrug. “It is much, much harder, and many do not have enough power or skill for it, but you could. If you break that block.”

“And how do I break this block?” Edmund extends to his full height, taking a quick step closer to me.

“Honestly? I have no fucking clue.”

“You are an infuriating man. Do you know that?”

I smirk at him. “I aim to please.”

The murmuring of voices and thumping of boots on stone draws my attention. I glance up to a small crowd of guards that has gathered above us. Edmund only has eyes for me, a fire raging in them. This man will never see me as an ally. Notwillingly. I am the fae who almost stole his daughter. I will always be his enemy, unless I force his hand.

Edmund holds his arms out to either side, and a sword of fire materializes in each hand. They burn red hot, the flames flickering, their centers made of cooled, rock-hard magma. He twirls the swords in his hands as he stalks to me. “Now we play on my terms.”

I smile, drawing my own sword from my back. It may not be infused withmyspring magic, but it is the most powerful relic from my court.

With incredible speed, Edmund is upon me, each sword cracking in rapid succession as he strikes high. My blade repels both assaults, then he swings each sword low. I have just enough time to fend him off, then he darts back. Sweat already drips down my face from the heat of those twin fires.

“What is your endgame here, Aldrin?” Edmund growls. “To seduce my daughter and convince her to return to the Otherworld with you?”

I stalk around him, looking for my opening to attack. “Don’t think you know me or my intentions. I told Keira I would give up my crown for her. I would live in this realm if it meant we could be together—in the remotest parts of this world, or constantly on the move.”

Edmund laughs, and the sound is bitter. “That is not much of a life that you offer my daughter. Keira has always been the practical one.”

I leap toward him, taking advantage of his distraction. Our swords meet again. We bare our teeth in each other’s faces as the attack brings us close.

“We could make it a good life together,” I spit at him. “If you would take my earlier proposition seriously. Open trade and migration between realms. Open the eyes of your people, so it is at least acceptable for fae to exist in this land.”

---