Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 81261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
I introduce Bastien and Heph, but before they can extend greetings, Calix pops back into the room, and he looks like he’s ready to vomit. “Your Grand Resplendence, I’ve been able to find out what happened to your… um, well, your…”
“Her name’s Nyssa,” I say blandly.
“Yes, Nyssa,” Calix says and bows. “A million apologies.”
I point to her throat. “Who did that to her?”
Calix’s bottom lip trembles. “It was Sorcha.”
My eyes shoot to Nyssa, and I’m stunned to see her slowly backing away from me, fear etched on her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude to her—”
I hold up a hand, cutting her off. Looking at Nyssa but addressing Calix, I grit out, “Get Sorcha and bring her here now.”
Calix blinks out of sight.
I move to Nyssa, vaguely aware of Thalia stepping away to give us some privacy. Once again, my hand goes to Nyssa’s chin. “I’m not mad at you. Sorcha knew not to touch you.”
I note my hand trembles, and it’s only because of the rage churning inside me. Nyssa is off-limits to everyone, and the penalty was made clear. Sorcha could have fucking killed her—permanently this time—with her strength. If Nyssa dies here, there’s no undoing it.
Potential death aside, it’s enough that Sorcha caused her pain.
Calix reappears, out of breath. “She’s gone back to Calashte, Your Majesty.”
If that witch thinks she can hide from me…
I envision Truett’s house where Sorcha resides and pull on every bit of power that Zora imbued within me. I seek Sorcha, home in on her essence, and bend distance. I pull her right to me—sitting at a table with Truett drinking ale.
I don’t step through, though, my power rippling all around as I hold the two distances together. Five feet from me as I stand in my own castle is Truett’s dining room. He and Sorcha are stunned.
With only my thoughts, I jerk Sorcha from her chair and she flies toward me. My hand wraps around the front of her throat, exactly how I envision she had hers around Nyssa’s.
I squeeze hard, and she tears at my hands with her nails. Truett crosses the divide, and I release the distance, letting it snap back into place.
He says nothing, but a quick glance his way and I see him pleading with me not to hurt her.
My voice quakes with fury. “You knew she was not to be touched.”
Sorcha’s face screws up and hatred blazes from her eyes. “She’s a filthy human. Our kind hates humans, and yet you care for her like a little puppy. It’s disgusting.”
I could rip off Sorcha’s head right now and end her life, but that’s too good for her. She’d just be unmade.
“You knew the penalty was the Crimson River,” I snarl. “You deserve no less.”
I’m prepared to bend distance right to the bridge and hurl her over, but it’s Nyssa who lunges at me, her small hands wrapping around my biceps. “Don’t. Please don’t throw her in.”
My eyes drop down to her as I easily hold Sorcha one-handed. “My rule is absolute.”
“I’m begging you, Amell. Please don’t do it. Give her a pass.”
I frown. “She would have killed you.”
“Probably, but Truett stopped her.” Nyssa looks at my best friend, then back at me. “I’m asking you not to kill her for his sake, not hers.”
I’m so stunned, you could knock me over with a feather. She’s requesting I show Sorcha mercy? My gaze moves to Truett, and I see the torture on his face. He loves his sister. He loves me. He’s loyal to me and my throne, and he knows there are no exceptions to my rules.
He’d never ask me to spare her life.
“Fuck,” I mutter, throwing Sorcha away from me. She flies across the room, the only thing stopping her trajectory a wall that shudders upon impact.
Sorcha falls to the ground but immediately gets to her feet, hissing at me in anger.
“Return to Calashte, Sorcha, and do not leave it. You are permanently banished to live the rest of your immortal life there and are not welcome in any other part of the Underworld.”
She glares hatefully and bends distance, blinking out of sight. Truett shoots me a wary look of gratitude and follows his sister.
I release a heavy sigh as Nyssa’s hands fall away from me. She’s pale and shaking, and I want to take her in my arms and comfort her.
But I don’t, because that’s not something the king of the Underworld should even care about. This, despite the fact I almost killed a Dark Fae brethren because she bruised my little human.
“Return to my suite,” I say to Nyssa. “Stay there until I join you.”
Nyssa nods, eyes downcast. She pivots to leave, but it’s Thalia who scurries past me to take Nyssa by the arm. “If you need anything while you’re here, you have Calix send word to me, and I’ll come.”