Page 2 of Elysian

A tug in my breastbone bloomed, and my vision wavered. Heat drained even more from my body, leaving behind sharp tingling. My heartbeat stuttered. The Grand Hall tilted.

Cassiel’s sneer widened into a grimace, and blood escaped from the corner of his lips.

“Cassiel, stop. You will kill yourself!” Drusilla shrieked. Onyx liquid gathered at the corner of his eyes, collecting until the volume forced it to overflow. Streaks of black trailed down his face. “Get that whore away from him!” Drusilla’s scream remained muffled.

Cassiel shuddered, more blood dripping from his mouth and eyes. Veins stood out starkly against his temples.

Piper moved, her body twitching.

“She’s moving,” I gasped, my arms in agony from keeping them outstretched.

I had no strength to move any longer.

Piper lunged out of my hands, squeaking with frantic yelps. She was alive. She was okay. A dry sob pushed out between my lips.

Cassiel collapsed.

I stared at my empty hands, then at the ferret racing away. If she was alive, why did my chest remain an icy hole? A searing chill that pulsated right where I used to feel Piper.

“Catch that thing.” Lady Drusilla delivered the edict through her teeth. It was the last I heard as oblivion dragged me down.

CHAPTER TWO

Waking

“We cannot risk him escaping,” Vaner’s shrill order tore through my foggy mind.

Following his voice came the chill bleeding through the stone. So frigid it seeped through my skin, curling around my bones. It took everything in me not to shiver and make them aware I had woken. I slit my eyes the slightest bit, and, at this angle, could see a massive form across from me. Bars of a cell separated us.

“I do not want my son tossed about like this. That is still your king,” Drusilla retorted, ice in her tone. Her voice alone caused a visceral reaction; my eyes sprang open.

“Well, until we come to an accord, he remains here.”

“You beast.”

“You cost me the girl’s body; it’s the least you deserve.”

Drusilla’s back was to the bars caging me. Tendrils of hair escaped her coiffure and flirted with the collar of her dress. I sprang to my feet, ignoring the soreness and pinching throughout my body. There were too many to count. If I let myself falter, then I would crumple into a pile. I lunged for the back of her dress, pure, unadulterated fury driving me forth. The echoing snap of Piper’s neck rang in my memory.

Just as I plunged my arm through the bars, Vaner yanked her forward, pulling her out of my reach. Iron shoved against my breast and arm, stopping me. I pulled back and gripped the thick bars the size of my wrist. Breaths pumped from my lips, pluming into fog.

Drusilla collected herself, brushing at the bottom of her tailored black gown.

“My,” she mused, unimpressed, raking her gaze over my face. “Such anger.”

I shoved aside Branwen’s bloodied cloak to untangle it from my legs. It snagged, and I yanked it harshly.

“Where’s Piper?” I croaked, soreness radiating through my throat.

“Let us get rid of her. We can send out a newspaper discussing how she was one of the casualties,” Drusilla insisted.

Casualties of what?

“Have you not heard?” Vaner murmured, eyeing me with too much smugness. “His Highness has taken ill from the Hollow Plague. It swept through the House of Lords.” Vaner tsked, shaking his head as he tugged the sleeve of his simple ivory tunic.

“I am speaking to you, Edor! Do not jest. I know you have struck some bargain with the Alchemist to study the Elysian Pair.”

“Now, come, Drusilla,” Vaner said in response, pinching her chin and lifting her face. “We can discuss this tonight. We have many things to set in order.”