Page 53 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

Kill him,Lira connected.We can’t risk him getting free and trying to take over once again. I can’t relive the torture he already put us both through.Her worry constricted our connection, adding to mine.

And I can’t kill him, knowing that Pyralis could very well get his talons on you.The two of us were at odds, wanting the same for each other. I needed her safe and free while she wanted to ensure that my cousin didn’t take me captive and beat me.I’d rather be a prisoner, knowing that you’re safe in Aetherglen. That’s what’s important to me. Blast Eldrin and the Unseelie people. They can all burn as long as you’re safe.

Her eyes narrowed, and I could tell that she disagreed with everything I’d just said.

“It’s best if you’re forthcoming, nightfiend,” King Erdan said loudly from his spot behind us. “This isn’t a chess match between you and us. This impacts my daughter’s life, and I refuse to barter with criminals.”

“I disagree. Any sort of political maneuvering is exactly that—a game of strategy.” Eldrin waved one hand toward Lira and added, “And your daughter is rather good at it, seeing as shemanaged to manipulate Tavish and Lorne and survive the deadly gauntlet. She never should’ve lived.”

I removed my sword from its sheath and stabbed Eldrin in the leg, pushing so that it pierced through muscle to the other side, ensuring the wound would heal slowly, especially without the help of his fae magic.

He grunted, hunching over, as black blood seeped through his pants and onto the ground.

“What is he talking about?” the queen asked, her voice rising.

At the question, Eldrin looked up, beaming.

Lira took in a ragged breath and shook her head. “It’s not going to work, Eldrin. I know what you’re trying to do, and the past is the past. That’s where it’s going to stay. I survived the horrors, and I know you were behind each one of them. But your game’s not going to work this time. You’ll see.”

She strolled past me, and I wanted to reach out and pull her back. I didn’t trust him, nor did I want her anywhere around him, but Nightbane remained at her side, giving me reassurance.

Gripping his chin in her hand, she cut into his skin. Blood oozed under her fingernails, but she didn’t flinch.

Eldrin’s forehead wrinkled just enough for me to register his shock before he forced his expression back into that smug smile.

“We’re going to break you,” she whispered, her normally bright cobalt eyes darkening to navy.

My dick twitched, causing my pants to feel too tight. I rarely saw this side of Lira. Watching her threaten the man who’d terrorized her had me ready to slam her against the wall and claim her.

“And when we do, I’ll be the one to slowly slide a blade into your heart and watch the life leave your body. Not because of what you did to me but for everything you’ve done to Tavish.”

A vein bulged in his neck, but Eldrin chuckled darkly. “We’ll see about that. I told you my terms. If you want to know how tofree yourself from your binding agreement with the ashbreaths, then I need a vow from every royal in this room that they will ensure no harm ever comes to me. That includes you,Princess.”

She released him, dropping her hand to her side. His blood dripped from her fingers to the floor, and she turned her back to him. In fairness, he wasn’t a threat, not with his injured leg and chained wings. But I also didn’t want to underestimate him.

“I’ve grown bored with him.” Lira yawned. “I say we head into the castle and get some rest. It has been a long day of travel.”

If I didn’t feel her anxiety through the bond, I’d believe that she could go to sleep.

We’re not going to get anything out of him,she linked, her gaze locked on me.We need to come off like we aren’t desperate until we can find a way to hurt him.

I hated that she was right, but I sheathed my sword.

Eldrin straightened, seeming to become more confident. Maybe because he knew we’d given up?

When Lira and Nightbane left the cell, I spun around to find the king, the queen, Brenin, and Hestia scowling. The way their attention flickered between Lira and Eldrin turned my stomach leaden with dread. “Lock him back up. Don’t feed him or allow anyone to check on his wounds. I want him miserable and uncomfortable.”

Lorne shut the door, locking it once again. “Of course, Your Majesty. It will be my honor.”

Hestia and Brenin led the way back outside, followed by the king and the queen, with Lira, Nightbane, and me at the rear.

Each step away from Eldrin felt harder than the last. I hated that my life continued to be influenced by him when I was ready to cut him out of it forever.

We’ll figure something out,Lira connected as she looped her arm through mine.

The jolt of her touch eased some of my anxiety, but frozen tendrils of terror clawed deeper into my heart. I hadn’t felt this feral since the gauntlet. Watching her come so close to death all those times had been unbearable, making me borderline insane, but nothing compared tothis. The thought of her leaving in three days to be with another man… an ashbreath, determined to marry her and force her to carry his babies….

We have three days. A lot can change in that time,she continued, trying to offer me comfort.

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