Page 94 of Trial of Thorns
That was when the goblins invaded and took what was left of their crumbling society.
Their divided people were never able to kill the shadow monster, so it still lives in those mountain ranges, driving out any dwarves who remain underground overnight. The fae, instead of helping the dwarves, scavenged through the remains of their city and took the most precious items for themselves while denying the dwarves any right to their own handiwork. Some were given jobs, helping to build the fae’s own architecture—which they then took credit for.
The rest were scattered. Some lived as nomads near the mountains of their now-abandoned homelands. Many assimilated into the fae courts—the most welcoming being the Crumbling Court.
Time is lost as I listen to Ty’s story. I’d heard pieces of this story but never from a dwarf’s point of view. The sadness in his voice as he speaks of his lost heritage, of the missing people, of how they were treated in the aftermath of their tragedy, sends a pang of pain through my gut.
I am so caught up in his emotion that I almost don’t notice the rumbling sound of pounding footsteps approaching us from behind. I only have a moment to realize what’s happening when a solid wall of rock blocks our path, and I spin to find three very angry fae rushing us.
Caelynn
Iturn to face ourenemies bearing down on us.
Both of my swords are unsheathed in an instant as a calm settles over my body, magic bubbling beneath the surface. Hungry.
A blast of fire roars toward us, and I dive out of the way, rolling to my feet off the path as leaves fly.
“Run,” I tell Rev and Tyadin. Rev is injured, he can fight if he must, but I can hold them back for a short time.
My magic is mostly restored, and a squirming in my stomach tells me my darkness is eager to escape. Eager to destroy.
Kari flies past me and through a hole in her stone wall, following Rev and Tyadin as they flee.
The other three have their sights set on me. They aren’t taking any chances this time. I’m the wildcard. They don’t know what I’m capable of, and they’re planning to take me out quickly.
My lips curl into a smile.
They forget that I am of the Shadow Court—secrets are my biggest advantage.
Shadows curl around my fists, the swirls extending to the blades of my twin swords.
Above us, the sky grows dark, the sun covered by a dim film. Drake is the only one to notice it. The only one whose expression shifts, fear settling over his features.
The only one who knows what it means.
My swords fly, blocking Rook’s first slice in my direction. Rook and Drake engage first, I twist and turn, avoiding their swords. Brielle sends a wall of flame up behind, blocking any retreat.
