Page 109 of Ransomed to the World
And she’d left her mates alone and vulnerable.
Darkness surged up from her bones, swirling around her dress, and she clenched her hands into fists to keep it from escaping. Her mates were safe, and she needed to remain calm if she wanted to keep them that way.
“You’re Daxion’s little guinea pig. If this works, he has his little puppet to do his bidding. If it doesn’t…” Annora shrugged. “You’ll be too dead to care.”
“I’m no one’s puppet.” Outrage sparked in his eyes, his thirst for power overriding any concern he had for his own safety. “Daxion is old and foolish. It’s past time for him to be replaced. If you’re as powerful as you claim, then we can come to a deal. We kill him and take over his seat on the council.”
Annora agreed that Daxion needed to be removed permanently, but Karl was completely fucking insane if he thought he was any match for Daxion.
“And you think you can accomplish that?” She shook her head at the moron, scorn for him leaking through her tone. “This is a test, you fucking idiot. Do you think he would just hand me over to you without precautions? He wants my power for himself, but it’s too much for him to handle alone.
“If we’re married, the dark matter will burn through you like a candle. As my powers kill you, it will leave me weakened, and that’s when he’s going to strike.”
It made a sick sort of sense.
If Daxion had her power, he’d become a bridge himself. It was doubtful that he’d kill her outright—he wouldn’t risk that her death would take away his new abilities—which meant the guys would remain prisoners to make sure she obeyed.
“Lies!” he hissed, sneering at her, but he looked shaken.
He could hear the truth.
Glasses clinked, breaking the stalemate, and she and Karl both turned to see Daxion standing on a pedestal. “I am happy to announce the joining of two houses in marriage—my daughter Annora from House Daxion and Karl from House Conway!”
Whispers erupted throughout the room. Sadie and Cedwyn looked alarmed, pushing their way through the crowd toward her.
Karl lifted his glass in the air, nodding and smiling at those who were looking at them, while his other hand lashed out and snatched at her wrist, his grip making her bones ache.
Annora could feel the noose tightening around her neck. If she didn’t stop this now, her fate would be sealed. Without an ounce of remorse, she allowed a string of darkness to rise. It lashed at Karl, peeling a strip of flesh off the back of his hand. He hissed in pain, jerking his hand back and scowling like a little boy whose toy was taken away.
“I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.” Annora didn’t flinch, even when everyone’s attention swung toward her. “You see, I’ve already found my mates.” To prove her point, she lifted her arm in the air, her tattoo proudly on display between the gap in the bracer.
The crowd looked titillated by the scandal.
Daxion looked thunderous that she’d openly defied him, a muscle ticking in his jaw, his glare promising retribution. “Unfortunately, none of your mates are approved or recognized by the council.”
Nausea churned in her stomach at the thought of them refusing to acknowledge her mates.
“That’s not exactly true.” Edgar, dressed as a warrior, stepped out of the crowd, his sword strapped to his back, striding toward her like an apex predator stalking his prey. He moved differently from humans, more ruthless—not even shifters could match his effortless self-awareness.
His skin was pale and smooth, the angles of his face sharp, weathered by life and hardship. His jaw had a strong, stubborn look to it, and she couldn’t believe that she hadn’t recognized him for what he was when they first met—her mate.
Shocked gasps echoed around the room, excited murmurs ringing throughout the room as he reached her side and took her in his arms.
“You came.” She stared up at him, basking at his possessive claim in front of everyone.
“Always.” He cupped the back of her neck and rested his forehead against hers. “I’ll always come for you, no matter what.”
Her heart melted, and she allowed herself to sink against him.
The babble of voices from the crowd rose, people desperate to find out how he could’ve survived so long on his own.
No one had ever returned from the banished lands after being gone for years.
Some gaped at Edgar with awe, more than a few glancing at her with disgust, no doubt believing she’d trapped him somehow.
But she saw nothing but Edgar.
He’d walked through the wards to reach her, faced his greatest fear…for her.
