More than anything, we love.
I almost think I can smell her sweet scent. My mind must be playing tricks on me, because my veins buzz as if she’s near, and I swear I can feel her strength flowing into my body.
What I wouldn’t give to kiss her one more time.
My eyes zero in on the sharp tip of the spike.
And then it comes down.
Quinn
I’m winded from sprinting through the castle. I got lost a couple times, but the arrow traps led the way.
Nausea from fear—not my fear, Kirian’s—makes my stomach flip. My muscles burn as I pump my legs faster down a familiar corridor. I’ve only come through here once before, but I recognize the portraits of all the royals as I get closer to the great hall.
Splintered wood is hanging where the doors once were, and the howling wind inside is unnerving. When I run through to the balcony, I see Gia standing over Kirian on the first floor below.
She’s about to stab him.
“Stop!” I scream, and Gia pauses mid-crouch, the tip of the spike just a couple inches from Kirian’s chest.
Her lavender eyes are angry slits when she looks over her shoulder at me.
“She isn’t supposed to be here!” She aims her rage-filled voice at Farrel. “You didn’t snap her neck before you pushed her through the portal? You defied me.”
He stays silent, smoldering at her with a hateful look. Yikes. I’d say there’s trouble in paradise.
At least now I know who was manhandling me in the Shadowlands, and I’m thankful my spinal cord is still intact. But I don’t have time to contemplate Farrel’s reasoning for letting me live.
My hands splay on the smooth railing as I lean forward and try to figure out how badly Kirian’s hurt. He’s bleeding in several places and his clothes are ripped. The vines restraining him have long thorns, and one is buried deep in his right shoulder.
My hand goes to my upper arm in the same spot. I ache there. His pain affects me.
Our eyes lock, and I almost expect him to scold me for coming here or tell me to run.
Instead, a grin spreads over his face. It’s not the kind of smile where he’s happy to see me. It’s mischievous, like he has a secret.
I feel a strange tingling in my veins, and the pain I’d been experiencing gets replaced with an essence of power.
Before I can ask Kirian if he’s okay, Damon is suddenly dragging me back and trying to push me behind him.
I struggle, because I’m losing sight of what’s happening.
I don’t know if it’ll help, but I toss Garryn’s dagger over the balcony, hoping my aim is good enough for it to land where Kirian can reach it.
A second later, I hear some loud snapping sounds and then a high-pitched scream of agony.
Managing to break away from Damon’s hold, I crane my neck to see what’s going on down there.
Kirian’s upper half is free from his restraints, and Gia’s on the floor with the dagger sticking out of her kneecap. Her silky gown is pinned to her leg and a red stain spreads over the white fabric.
In a quick move, Kirian grabs his axe and swings it down on her foot, slicing the metatarsals longways.
Revolted by the gruesome sight, I cover my mouth.
Gia lets out a guttural howl as she drops her weapon and blood pools around her. Kirian rips the rest of the vines off, sending dirt and debris flying as he stands.
He spins his axe around in a practiced motion and kicks the spike across the floor, away from Gia. “By the way, my fated mate is alive. The curse is broken. I can see, and I’ll rule this kingdom until the day I die—which will be a long time from now.”
Taking advantage of Gia’s momentary distraction, he calls on his powers. Vines spill through the open window, crawling over to her. They wrap around her arms and legs, binding her hands behind her back.
Now that she’s restrained, I think it’s over.
But I’m wrong.
All the windows fly open, and a lightning bolt dances into the room. It’s moving sluggishly, as if Gia’s weakened. At first, I’m worried she’s going to use it on Kirian, but it’s not headed toward him.
It’s going straight for me.
As I back up, Damon puts himself in front of me, and I hear the flap of Kirian’s wings before he lands on the stairs. He’s blocking us, planning to take the strike.
Both of these men are willing to endure a lightning bolt for me.
But Kirian and self-preservation are one in the same. If he gets hurt, so do I.
I’m about to shout to him to get out of the way when, suddenly, the electricity begins slowly draining away, leaving the room the same way it came in.
Everything gets quiet when the wind dies down. The rain stops, clouds recede, and I see a few stars twinkling in the night sky outside.
“What happened?” My adrenaline is at an all-time high, and I’m panting like I just ran a marathon.
Peeking around Damon, I glance down at Gia. Her eyes are closed, and her breathing is slow. She’s unconscious.
“Asleep,” Damon explains. Walking down the stairs, he claps Kirian on the back. “Did I ever mention I can lull people into slumber?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Kirian says flatly, following him. “Why didn’t you tell me that earlier, say, I dunno, two thousand years ago?”
Damon shrugs. “We’ve all got secrets.”
Pissed, Kirian narrows his eyes. “A shit ton of conflict could’ve been avoided if you’d used your power earlier.”
“I was waiting to reveal it at the right time.”
“The right time would’ve been before Gia kicked my ass.” Kirian spits some blood onto the floor at the bottom of the stairs, and I’m concerned about all his injuries.
My tongue hurts, which means he must’ve bit his at some point. He’s got
