Page 75 of The Iron Fae
"Yes, but one more thing." The queen spins on her heel, flicking her skirt behind her. Her head held high, her shoulders relaxed, and a content smile on her face. This is the ending she's been waiting for. "To ensure that you play nice with the seer, I have my guards at the ready." She points back to her throne.
Stomping footfalls make the rhyme of a song, an arguing male voice the lyrics. The queen's yes-men bring Jase forward and force him to his knees on her dais. Surprisingly, he looks more annoyed than scared. Perhaps at this point, I've gotten him out of so many messes he still has some sort of confidence I can get him out of this one.
This isn't one of those times, Jase. I don't think I can pull this one off. Cordelia isn't some jerk picking on you because your mother was a drug addict, or my foster mother who caught you stealing. I can't talk us out of this one.
"Now, be a good little kitten and hold still for the seer." The edge of her nail digs into the skin of my chin as she pinches me with a small shake.
"No, I want the man first." Zeve crosses her arms.
"Lincoln? I don't need his mind looked into."
"Yes.Lincoln," she says his name as if it's a foreign language, "first. Or neither of them at all."
"Fine."
Bare skinned guards muscle Lincoln forward. Golden eyes, sparked with the zealous flame of life, stare into my soul as he speaks. "I won't let anything happen to you."
"Oh, don't feed the girl false hope." Cordelia laughs, stepping up to her seat. Once she nuzzles herself into the throne, she crosses her legs and gives Jase a slight pat on his head, pushing his blonde hair into his eyes. Jase leans as far away from her as the hovering guards allow.
"I imagine a man of your talent should know what to expect." Zeve says to Lincoln.
He gives her a tight nod, closing his eyes. Her slender hands cup his temples and an electric current sparks between them. Lincoln gasps, his mouth falling wide, his chest stretching forward, and his eyes flying open as lighting snaps within them.
"Lincoln!" His name falls from my lips and I can feel the presence of Zeve inside his mind... and then inside mine. I try to snap my mental barriers up to push away her clawing grasp, but she nudges them aside as if they are as light as a balloon bouncing through the breeze.
Be still, Briar.The seer sings.I have already seen your past and your future. You are meant for that throne.
I squeeze my eyes tightly shut.I may be meant for the throne but my time here is running out. Cordelia will have both our heads.
I'm calling in my favor.Lincoln's voice says sternly. His physical body sparks with a loud crackle of energy. He groans, making Cordelia giggle like a child.
I was hoping you'd say that.Zeve's voice is smooth and enchanting. Maybe it's how she was created or maybe it's the magic she uses but every word she speaks lightens the anxiety inside of me.
What do you mean?I demand.
Kai wasn't the only one who Zeve owed a favor.
Now when I say run... you run.Zeve says, echoing the command as she pulls herself from Lincoln's mind. His skin buzzes, glowing eerily bright from the power that just ran through him.
Zeve sighs, rubbing her hands together. "Queen Cordelia," she begins, "I'm afraid I have a slight variation to your plans for the evening." The crowd begins to murmur, glancing from one another in question as if their friends might have an answer for Zeve's insubordination. "You, my dear, are not fit for your throne."
Cordelia bolts out of her seat. "What is the meaning of this? You better hold your tongue before I have it cut off!"
"Be quiet!" Zeve yells, her deep voice booming like thunder inside the large hall. She thrusts out a hand, a blue bubble of zapping angry electricity forming around Cordelia. "It is destined that the Mortal Queen rises up and rules. Only she can bring peace to this land. We can never have peace with a crazed ruler like you. Your paranoia is rooted so deep, Cordelia Nightwaters, you can't even see how far you've fallen... how much farther you still have yet to fall."
"You will not make a mockery out of me." Cordelia's magic slams against Zeve's. "Guards, seize this traitor." She hisses, pushing against it again and again. Zeve's magic holds steady.
"Don't you move." Another song filled feminine voice rises. From the entrance of the room, Lylix storms forward, her body flickering in sync with Zeve's sparks. Lylix casts both hands in front of her, forming similar white orbs around the guards. Around us.
"Run!" Zeve whispers.
Nineteen
Lost
The backof my skull connects with the arch of a guard’s nose. My other hand already reaching for the other guard's throat before I turn and bring my knee up into his balls. It connects with a satisfying slap and dare I say... a pop.
A distant pain throbs in the back of my head. I don't stop to give them any more of my attention or cradle the annoying ache. I fling myself forward, wincing as her magic washes over me. The white of Lylix’s bubble parts around me slamming shut the moment I'm through. The guards stumble forward only to shriek as the power bites back at them, holding them in place.
