Page 97 of A Court So Dark
At first, there was no opposition from the Unseelie King. In fact, he felt like some sort of vessel for the magic I was pouring into him. But then something changed. Mythorne shoved back, the same way Varamede had. Even though I was blinded, I somehow understood exactly what was happening.
Mythorne was like me. He was not immune to magic. He had consumed every attack that had struck him, the way I consumed people’s life force. And when I’d jumped on him and tried to draw his life force, it hadn’t worked because his ability allowed him to hold on to energy until he was willing to let it go.
And now, he was.
He was full to the brim, and he’d decided it was time to return the favor.
Today, he had drunk a lot of power, and I had too, but was it enough?
I had no way of knowing. All I could do was meet his power with mine, letting it spill out to the last drop if that was what it took to kill him.
You can’t do that,the voice of reason shouted in my head.The last time you barely survived. This time you might not.
But I couldn’t back down now. I had to keep going.
Mythorne pushed, and I felt the connected streams of our energy reaching a balance, his force reaching the apex, then getting closer to me, inch by inch.
I leaned forward, teeth gritted, every last bit of power I’d stolen spewing out of me along with my hatred. For an instant, my magic shoved his back, but then he also redoubled his efforts, and he came closer still.
No. Not today.
Digging deep, deep, deep, I gathered more of myself and let the surge out.
CHAPTER 38
KALYLL
Panicanddeterminationcombinedin an explosion of energy inside my chest as a burst of bright energy swept through the trees. I felt it like a gust of wind, the brightness piercing my eyes sharp enough to hurt.
Blinded, I kept running forward, with only the memory of the trees to guide me forward. On that memory alone, I veered left. My side scraped against ruffed bark, tearing at my fur, but I didn’t slow down. I barreled through, dodging sightlessly.
Soon that map inside my mind came to an end. I opened my eyes a sliver. A large dark shape loomed in front of me. In the last instant, I leaped to one side, avoiding a thick tree by mere inches. Squinting, I did little more than perceive shapes, but it was enough.
Dani, I’m coming!
As long as that light shone, I knew she lived. I had seen a similar display from her when she fought Varamede. Now, I had no idea who she was fighting or why such a violent release of power was necessary, but I would not lose her again—not to the deep slumber that had taken her before, not to anything at all.
My pawsthuddedagainst the ground as I galloped at a dizzying speed. Finally, I reached a clearing. My limited eyesight and my other senses alerted me to the presence of others. I smelled blood and fear. I heard moans and grunts, as well as a familiar voice.
“We need to do something,” Jeondar was saying.
In the middle, the brilliance of a small sun dominated the scene. It was like the fight with Varamede all over again, except this time, the tableau displayed light fighting against light.
I skidded to a stop, unsure of what to do. I had no idea who she was fighting. It was impossible to tell, but whoever it was, their energy was starting to overpower hers.
NO!
She had already given so much for me, and for a realm that wasn’t her own. I would not allow anyone to hurt her.
The stream of light stretched before me, its source masked by the brilliance. I tried to catch Dani’s scent to determine her exact location, but there was no hint of it. What in all the realms?!
“I can get through.” Kryn’s voice came from the other side of the luminance.
I didn’t know if he was in trouble, but I wouldn’t be distracted by him or anyone. Instead, I focused on the light, opening my eyes a little wider than a mere sliver. Tears filled them. I shook my head and cleared my sight.
Then I knew: the exact shade of my mate’s magic. She was to my left, and her opponent to my right.
Roaring, I pushed on my hind legs and took a mighty leap.
