Page 162 of Faeling
“You are both more and less than I expected,” mused the queen. She lifted a lock of Ravenna’s hair to rub between finger and thumb. “You have the look of your fae kin, it’s true, but you reek of human.”
Ravenna said nothing, letting her glare be what spoke for her. Amaranthe was a predator who liked to play with their food, and that was all right. She needed to give Allarion’s forces time to spread around the citadel and secure the entrance.
Coming around to stand before her again, Amaranthe’s red lips curved with satisfaction. “I must say, I never imagined it would be as easy as having you walk through my door.”
“I’ve come to take his place, as promised,” was all Ravenna said.
“Don’t.” The voice, weary with exhaustion, echoed across the citadel. “Don’t, sprite.”
Amaranthe turned to regard Vallek, her smile growing, but Ravenna couldn’t bear to look at him. Something fundamental inside her was already cracking; seeing him beseech her not to do this would break her.
Let me,she begged him.Forgive me.
Watching the Fae Queen gloat and smile over her chainedazaistoked the fire in Ravenna higher. Vallek was a strong,proud man—he didn’t deserve to be brought so low.
“Killing me won’t change what I’ve seen,” she said, drawing Amaranthe’s attention back to her.
The Fae Queen’s fair brows rose in surprise. “Kill you? My dear girl, I’ve no intention of killing you. To waste a power such as yours—no, no. You will serve me, predict my future.”
“I already have,” Ravenna growled through bared teeth.
“You will see a new vision. A new future.”
“I can’t—”
“Youwill,” Amaranthe insisted, raising her arm to gesture at where Vallek sat chained. “Or the consequences will be carved into his flesh.”
“You swore to free him, to take me instead.”
A patronizing smile spread across those ruby red lips. “My dear, I don’t treat with halfling mongrels. Your offer means nothing to me. Besides, you’re here now.”
Ravenna bit down on her hatred and rage, feeding them to the flames. Behind her, the berserkers stirred. They might not have understood all of what was said, but the gesturing at Vallek raised their hackles.
The air grew thick, and Ravenna swore a gentle weight pressed on her shoulder. The hand of destiny guided her now—it was time to take it.
Finally, she allowed her own wicked smile to overtake her face. Amaranthe’s dark gaze snagged on it, the space between her brows twitching.
“What would you say if I told you I’d come to kill you?”
Amaranthe affected a sigh. “I hardly need foresight to know you won’t come quietly. You willful mortals are sadlypredictable.”
“What if I said that I hadn’t come alone?”
The Fae Queen maintained her look of boredom, but a flicker of suspicion darkened her gaze. Those fine brows lowered over her eyes, which strayed past Ravenna’.
From somewhere behind her, Allarion shouted, “NOW!”
The call went up—Ravenna charged for Amaranthe, Leita right behind her—the berserkers broke for Vallek—and Allarion’s troops fell into formation to bar the citadel door.
From one moment to the next, the end began.
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Ravenna slipped the dirk from her sleeve, palming the hilt just in time to take an upward swipe. Amaranthe bent backwards to avoid the slashing blade, a furious hiss on her lips.
“Protect the queen!” cried her fae.
“Secure the king!” called the orc berserkers.
