Page 113 of The Musician and the Monster

“Fool boy,” the king mocked. “I should have known you hadtoo much of your mother in you.”

A heavy wave of air knocked into Drystan, barely letting him keep his feet. The dark cloud rushed across the open space, snuffing out several lanterns in its wake. Red sparks of magic floated down to the stage. The protective barrier was gone—destroyed by the king. Nothing would keep the people or the woman he loved safe from that monster of a man now.

A surge of dark magic floated over him, blurring his vision and tingling across his skin. The beast he faced off against roared, and his own answered. His beast lunged against him from within, sending him to one knee.

Not yet.

He shoved to his feet, facing off against his opponent, just as he heard Ceridwen scream.

Chapter 51

Ceridwen

Ceridwen screeched as King Rhion’s long claws pierced his son’s shoulder.

“No!” She reached for Malik, though he was impossibly far away, almost at the center of the stage, where she was far to one side. Malik had ordered her to run, to flee, but how could she just leave him and Drystan in this disaster?

Malik howled in pain as the claws were ripped free in a spray of blood. A few inches to the left and Malik would be dead.

He stumbled and raised his sword to block the incoming blow. Claws screeched against steel before retreating. With each move, the king glided through the air with inhuman speed and grace.

She needed to run. To hide, but Ceridwen couldn’t move. Her body refused to obey. The crowd was in turmoil. Some cried. One vomited on the ground. Many more stood frozen in shock or pushed at the gates, trying to flee. “Let them out!” Ceridwen yelled, hoping Adair and his comrades could hear her above the noise. “Get them out of here!”

They’d seen enough. Who could deny the truth of the king now? Unless no one survived to tell of it. Metal groaned as a door near the back gave way under the press of fleeing nobles.

A whimpered wail echoed through the yard as Drystan’s sword bit heavily into the side of the monster. It stumbled back as Drystan pulled the blade free. Below them, blood painted the wood in a gruesome pattern of crimson as bright as her dress.

He should have advanced to land the killing blow. Instead, his back hunched. Drystan’s head twisted to the side. Ceridwen gasped, catching sight of bright-red eyes.

Goddess, no, not now.Whether from the blood, the fighting, or the nearby use of dark magic, his monster rose to the surface.

“Drystan!” Her voice quaked. “Fight this!” Fear for the man she loved released her frozen limbs. She scrambled to the edge of the stage, cursing her heavy dress and awkward shoes.

He shook his head from side to side as the monster he faced regained its footing, keeping all weight off an injured limb. Drystan adjusted his grip on the blade and advanced.

Nearby, Malik yelped as his father’s claws raked his middle. Sweat beaded on the prince’s brow. Despite his youthful advantage, he didn’t hold the upper hand in this duel.

Ceridwen searched for anything she could use as a weapon, a distraction. Nothing lay close, but if she could get to the dead guard near the edge of the stage…

Growls and wails rang out behind her as Drystan dueled the beast.

Almost there. Almost.

Steel clattered to wood, and she twisted toward the sound. Malik stumbled back, holding his gut, unarmed. She wouldn’t make it to him in time. Her whole body shook as she watched the inevitable.

Bloody, raised claws glinted in firelight, prepared to end a life.

A scream that might have been her own split the air.

King Rhion froze with a grunt. The end of a dagger protruded from his side. Thin strips of leather wrapped the hilt of the dull blade.

Not any blade. She recognized it now. TheGray Blade.

Drystan panted, arm still extended from where he’d thrown the dagger across the stage. The other beast lay still a few feet from him, head bleeding profusely.

“Idiots, all of you.” The king pulled the blade free and tossed it away, ignoring the blood that seeped from his side. “I thought you could be my right hand. My successor!” he yelled at Drystan. “Now I know you’re as weak as your father. Unworthy to lead our people.”

No… No, it can’t be.Ceridwen’s legs shook, barely holding her upright. It should have stripped his magic, nullified it. The claws didn’t recede. The red in his eyes grew and flickered.How did we fail?

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