Page 88 of Amidst the Insidious Courts
My heart snags. Then tears.
“Stop this,” I whisper.
Jaro’s wolf genuinely believes I’m dying. And I can do nothing but watch as slowly the beast gives up, curls into a ball, and just whines. I reach for the bond in my chest, determined to reassure him that I’m still here, but it flinches from my touch.
It’s too much. I can’t bear it. War or no war, this stops now.
“End this.” My voice is deadly. “Now.”
Aiyana glances at the sand. “Would you look at that? Time is up.” She pops the last word as the final grain of glittering powder falls. “Thank you, boys. Your family will live another day and be compensated as we agreed.”
The children blink like they’re coming out of a trance, releasing each other. They glance at the wolf, who’s panting and bloody on the sand with wide eyes, and swallow before bowing stiffly in the rough direction of the royal box and hurrying away.
Leaving my wolf alone.
This time, no amount of force will keep me in my seat. I stand, pushing Wraith and Bree away and pace towards the edge of the box.
Jaro doesn’t move.
It’s over. Why isn’t he moving?
Please, Jaro, get up. Please get up.
The barghest leaps down from the box, circling the curled-up wolf and growling at any fae who tries to approach.
“Drystan, get him out of there.” There’s no humanity in my voice.
The Winter Court fae frowns but doesn’t argue with me. I can tell he dislikes leaving my safety to Bree alone, but I don’t care. Fear has given way to rage, which bubbles in my blood like magma, and I settle the full force of it on the queen.
“Announce the trial complete,” I say, my voice deceptively calm.
My guides flicker in the corner of my vision. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen them in Aiyana’s presence, and I smile in savage satisfaction.
The spring queen makes a final attempt to save face. “Technically, the trial is only…”
My eyes lock with her honey ones, and her words trail off.
Finally, Aiyana realises she’s crossed a line.
“The trial is over.” Is that a quiver in her voice? “Goddess…”
I can feel Aiyana’s power desperately clawing at my own, trying to smother my magic. She can’t. Though the spring queen is a descendant of Mab, and powerful in her own right, the Goddess’s strength is infinite.
She was arrogant enough to believe she had a chance.
All she can do as I approach her is fall to her knees and begin furiously uttering the vow of allegiance. Does she honestly think that will save her after everything she’s done?
“I swear my fealty to Nicnevin Rhoswyn. Never will my deeds bring harm to her, nor shall I hear of harm to her, unless it is to obstruct it. I accept her as my Nicnevin, on the condition that she rules my subjects with the Goddess’s fairness, and that she will perform all duties as they are written in the Treaty of Marlen. May Danu witness my vow and strike me down if I recant.”
“Too late.” It’s not me speaking now, though I wholeheartedly agree.
No amount of breathing is going to control the Goddess this time, and I don’t want to. Aiyana tortured my mate. Blackmailedchildrento do it.
“Nicnevin.” Kitarni hovers by my side, her normally unflappable voice edged with tension. “Elfhame needs her alive. We don’t have time for the Spring Court to choose a successor, and she has no heir. Think of Florian.”
I want to listen, but my blood is roaring in my ears. Two halves of me are at war with each other, and the side that demands retribution is the only one I care about right now.
“Torturing two of my Guard,” I hiss. “Keeping us waiting when you knew the fate of the realm—of my brother—hinges on the speed of my pilgrimage. Give me one good reason why you deserve to live.”
