Page 166 of The Fae Girl 1

“Ask him where he got the passes from.” Uther growled, his voice sounding distant through the weave of magic that separated us.

I glanced across at him. He was stood, fists clenched, face full of fury. I nodded to him then turned back and repeated the question.

The prisoner grinned more.

“From the groom of the Crown Prince himself.” He spat.

“For what purpose?” I asked. I didn’t even know if that was the right question, if that was even a valid question.

“How will Uther weep when his precious heir is taken from him? When the boy is strung up like a pig and left for the crows to pick over.”

I gulped at the image.

He cast his eyes looking through the magic around us at the High King and then back at me.

“When she gets hold of you she’ll rip you to pieces.” He said. “She’ll tear you apart piece by piece.”

“Who?” I asked.

He cocked his head from side to side, his eyes wide like was manic.

“Niseri.” He spat.

I felt everyone else react. From the corner of my eye I saw Fain get to his feet, springing from the bench he’d been sat on. I didn’t look at him. I didn’t trust myself to in that moment not to lose the pattern and be unable to summon it again.

The prisoner cackled and it rang out against the stone. “You think you’re safe here in this city but Niseri is taking everything from you. Who do you think attacks your walls and sends the spectrals to your door?” He snarled.

“And who do you think destroyed them?” I retorted.

He laughed again. “Niseri will send more.”

I shrugged. “Then I’ll destroy them too.”

“Liar.” He spat. “No Magi can match her. Not even Jelric wields that much power.”

I don’t know what made me do it, maybe it was my pride, maybe it was stupidity, but I let my magic out. Just a little. Just enough to show this man who he was dealing with.

His eyes widened. But only for a moment. And then he started jerking, fighting the shackles like he truly was insane.

“Niseri will take your future.” He shouted. “Niseri will steal it right from underneath you. Uther will be left with nothing but an empty throne and a hollow crown.”

“I’ve heard enough.” The High King’s voice rung out.

My magic dropped at his words and the residual cobwebs disintegrated into nothing.

“Take him away.” Uther barked.

I held my breath as the man was dragged off the same two guards who’d brought him in.

“We need to get the Crown Prince here.” Fain said.

Uther turned looking at his brother. “Go.” He replied.

He met my eyes as he crossed the room. Held my gaze like he was trying to convey something. I gave him a small smile. The only thing I dared to do.

And then he was gone.

“You can go.” Uther said over his should to me. “And keep your mouth shut about this. I want no one outside this room knowing what was said.”

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