Page 146 of Emylia

“Broke what?” I ignored Sebastian, not daring to take my eyes off the succubus. “Is that your bracelet?”

He approached me with caution, knowing what I was capable of. The tone in his voice reflected the pain that consumed my heart. He knew exactly how much this was affecting me and how hard it was to be keeping it together.

Not reading the tension at all, Josephine kept talking, “If I’m honest, I was just doing your father a favor. It’s obvious for anyone to see what a disappointment you’ve always been. Apart from your own family, no one even likes you. You should just do everyone a favor, leave, and never come back. You’re a fucking disgrace.”

“That’s enough.” Josephine ignored Sebastian, she was on a roll now and not even his presence could subdue the hatred that was seething from her.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if your father took his own life, so he didn’t have to tolerate you for one second longer. Maybe you should do us all a favor and follow in his footsteps. Better yet, if we ever get attacked, why don’t you just let them kill you?”

Something snapped inside me. Wrath so raw and atavistic broke forth, claiming me. Windows shook then splintered, glass showering us in an avalanche of crystals. Lightning littered the ground around us. I hardly felt it, but Josephine started screaming, looking around in horror. All I knew was incapacitating malevolence.

But I had a certain control over it. Sort of. I didn’t kill her.

That was something.

One second my hand was at my side, the next it was impacting her cheek. My nails ripped through her flesh, slicing open her perfect, pink-blushed cheek, her head flying back with the force.

Everything visibly froze. No one dared to even breathe. As if in slow motion, she cradled the soft curve of her face, tears already flowing.

Rage still consumed me, claiming my body and controlling my actions. I dived at her, knocking Josephine flat on her back, my thighs straddling her stomach. My hands were tight around her throat, squeezing her airway and watching the color drain from her face.

Well, maybe I did plan to kill her.

“Emylia.” Evie’s voice was a horrified scream.

Weight encircled my stomach, the warmth of a robust arm snaking around me and tugging me firmly against a muscled chest. I dug my fingers in, clawing at Josephine’s throat, but I couldn’t fight against the arm trying to pull me away.

My hands slipped from Josephine’s neck. A strangled breath rasped into her lungs as I eyed the necklace of bruises she now wore around her throat.

“Oh, my Gods, Josephine, are you okay?” Evie sprinted to her side, guiding her to her feet before helping Josephine out of the stables before anyone else even moved. I watched her every move as she left.

Once she was gone, Sebastian moved to my side, his hand gently coming to rest on my shoulder. “Em...”

Before he finished saying my name, I was in his arms, my face buried in his chest. “She said my dad killed himself because of me…” My voice broke.

“I know; I’m so sorry. I’ll fix the bracelet, okay? I’ll fix it.”

Tears splashed over my cheeks, my shoulders visibly shaking from sobbing. The air uncharged and sorrow wrapped its arms around me. All I knew was that I was a mess.

Understanding slowly dawned on me. This was probably Josephine’s plan all along; get me so mad I would snap and lash out. If she wanted Sebastian and Maalikai all to herself, then she was about to get it. I was in so much damn trouble.

“I fucked up. There’s nothing you or Uncle Thrainn can do to help me now. They’re going to banish me. They’re going to brand me. I’m never going to see you or Mom or anyone again.” My voice broke with the realization of what I’d just done.

Sebastian’s grip grew tighter, protecting me from the world. “No, they won’t. I won’t let them. I will never let them.”

Hyperventilating, I struggled to get enough oxygen.

“What happened?” Maalikai was breathless like he’d just sprinted here. “Josephine just came storming inside in tears. She said it was Emylia’s fault.”

“Bitch.” Sebastian rose to his full height, his eyes livid with reprisal.

“What’s wrong with her?” Maalikai stepped forward, toward me, as if he couldn’t help himself.

My head began to grow light, my gasps erratic.

“I need you to watch her.” It wasn’t a request; Sebastian was ordering him, their rift momentarily forgotten. “I need to fix this,” he shot out through barred teeth. His eyes stole mine, his hand cupping my cheek. “Are you okay?”

Somehow I nodded. But I wasn’t entirely sure I was.

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