Page 29 of A Court So Dark
“So you are Kalyll Adanorin? ” a serene voice asked. “The great Dragon Soul.”
I struggled to focus. At first, the shape was blurry, then it sharpened into a tall, thin male with a bony face and hook nose. I had never met him, but I immediately knew this was Kellam Mythorne, the Unseelie King.
“You’re not much to look at.” He paced in front of the sphere, looking me up and down. “Though you’re not as insignificant as your brother. He’s notlegendarylike you, after all.”
I forced myself to stand up, even though every muscle in my body protested, and the cold bit at my skin. I watched him, wondering why he’d come. To taunt me? He would not succeed in that.
“Let me out of here,” I said, my voice a raw rasp.
“And then what? You will fight me? Perhaps another day. You’re not in any shape to do much at all. And after Runik has another go at you, even less.”
Runik?That was the sorcerer’s name?
Runik Begallard was a name almost everyone in the realm knew. He had served Queen Rothala, Mythorne’s mother. He was the one who, during The Slaughter at Stone Peak, summoned a massive storm that raged across the battlefield, raining down lightning and hailstones upon the Seelie army. The storm was so fierce and destructive that it nearly turned the tide of the battle in their favor. He was a legend all by himself.
“I was only mildly curious to see you. You killed my son, after all,” Mythorne said, “but I find that I’ve already lost interest. So… I leave you with Runik.”
Mythorne left, the sorcerer took his place, and I braced myself for more pain.
CHAPTER 11
DANIELLA
“JustwhoIwaslooking for,” Cardian said, wearing a thin smile.
How was he here? And with so many guards? My stomach tumbled, and I felt sick.
I took several steps back and tried to run the way I’d come, but Cardian flicked a hand at one of the guards, and he jumped to block my path.
I flexed my fingertips. Cardian was about six feet away from me. That wasn’t much—not when death dwelled in my hands. I lunged in his direction. Cardian’s eyes grew wide with panic, but the guard was faster than me. He wrapped an arm around my waist and held me back, while I kicked and wriggled, trying to get free.
“I’m going to kill you,” I cried out.
The commotion was enough to draw the remaining Sub Rosa out of Cylea’s chamber. Kryn and Silver came running down the corridor, their swords raised, battle cries issuing from their throats.
“Kill them,” Cardian ordered his guards, then pointed at the one holding me. “You, let’s go. You, too.” He pointed at a second guard.
They marched in the opposite direction of my friends.
“Stop!” Kryn shouted as the sound of steel against steel filled the air.
“Kryn! Silver!” I kept fighting, kicking and jabbing my elbows backward, doing my best to hit the guard. But he was tall and strong, and my efforts were in vain. “Let me go, you bastard.” I tried clamping my hands around his forearms, but he was wearing leather gauntlets, and I couldn’t make contact with his skin.
If only I’d had some of the light magic I’d used against Varamede, I would’ve blasted Cardian to the confines of hell. But I needed to kill someone in order to harness that kind of power.
As we turned the corner, I caught a glimpse of Larina. She was coming around the bend in a hurry. I shook my head, warning her to stay away. Cardian marched in front of me—not in the least worried about the scuffle taking place behind him.
Down the hall, we ran into a second group of guards.
“Go help the others,” he ordered.
They ran past us, drawing their weapons. There were at least ten of them. The Sub Rosa would be utterly outnumbered.
“Let. Me. Go.” I pounded on the guard’s arm.
“Quit it, you whore.” He shook me violently.
My brain rattled. I blinked, trying to clear my vision. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something, then felt a slight touch on my shoulder. I glanced over and found Larina scampering along my collarbone, and sliding into the breast pocket of my tunic, unnoticed by anyone but me.
