Page 195 of The Eye of the Fifth
The shackles snapped shut.
‘It’s himthat will be sorry.’ Kyra’s voice was lower than Gedeon had ever heard it. Her vengeful gaze pierced Hossean as Rosary moved back to his side. ‘Do you hear me, cunt? I won’t forget this. I’ll carve those veins on your face into scars.’
It was not a threat. It was a promise.
Hossean did not have the intelligence to know that. He smiled again. ‘I imagined the Earth Warden to possess a delicate, floral tongue, though it appears yours is forked. Your venom will not settle here, Kyraena Daeiros, no matter how far you attempt to spit it.’ He snapped his fingers and two High Wielders flanked Gedeon and Kyra. ‘Her Eminence has been most anxious to see you both. Let us not keep her waiting any longer.’
Kyra,Gedeon desperately tried into her mind.
But whether she’d meant to or not, those walls had snapped back into place. An impermeable barricade to match the thundering hardness plastered on every inch of her beautiful, fierce face.
- Chapter Fifty Two -
A Fate Of Love And Blood
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The Throne Room, The Black Castle.
Kyra.
From a fiery, blackened throne, a being of unfathomable beauty glowed.
Her skin was porcelain, as smooth and flawless as a crystal from Phaenon’s Summit. The mantle around her shoulders dripped to the ground like molten gold as she beheld her guests in the cruel abyss of turquoise eyes. A blue stark enough they might poison with a single look.
Such evil should never appear so breathtakingly exquisite.
Teeth threatened to break through the skin on Kyra’s wrists. The magic nulling effects of the potion was finally beginning to wean, but bound by those shackles, her power was useless.
Herforked tonguewas all she had left.
And she wasn’t even sure she could trust that right now. Fear had frozen her where she stood.
Those black uniformed, horned-helmet monsters lined the Throne Room. A less menacing sentry squad in blood-red stood between them, seemingly uncomfortable in the former’s presence. Human and fae. An age-old contest.
No one spoke.
Rosary was tethered to the side of the High Wielder who had her mind, but Kyra forced her eyes not to wander. Forced herself to keep the Empress’ smouldering gaze.
At last, she spoke with the assured voice of a female who was scarcely challenged. ‘Welcome, Kyraena Daeiros. I have waited a long time for this meeting.’
Everything within Kyra wanted to recoil with terror. She took one singular breath through her nose and upon the exhale, found her heartbeat fractionally settling. Just enough for her to will some strength into her own voice to say, ‘I do hope I’m not a disappointment to you,Your Grace.’
The Empress gave a small smile. ‘You have your grandmother’s wit, I see. How does the infamous Winvara Daeiros fare nowadays?’ She gave a light, chiming chuckle. ‘I hear she grows more bitter as the years pass her by. Did she not rejoice when her granddaughter was chosen by Roheia?’
Kyra’s skin prickled. ‘She lives in bitterness because ofyou.You initiated the Earthling War. You are the reason Vrethian is divided.’
She’d expected the Empress to deny it. But she merely said proudly, ‘Indeed, I am. Was it Winvara who told you the truth of it, or her estranged mate?’
‘Naal told me enough.’
Empress Azar inclined her head. ‘Of course. I assume the Air Warden also attempted to stop you coming here once you received my gift?’
Her voice was so lovely. Too lovely, to be talking of things so awful.
Kyra couldn't help but look at Rosary then. And though her friend’s bloodied head was held high with as much defiance and pride she could manage, Kyra trembled at the sight of her.
‘I thought as much,’ Azar said quietly. ‘Naal’s movements are as predictable as the stars are immovable. So it seems, are yours, Kyraena.’
