Page 150 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

“Did you say Veyl’shara?” Riven asks as we step out. He’s been waiting at the door, most likely for Carys. I’m still not sure what his role here is, but he’s been an ally so far.

Raea’s distress picks up.

I nod to Riven, and his face drains of color as he mutters a curse. “It’s the chamber of pleasure. It’s a room deep within the palace where the court does less…desirable things. If she’s there…” He shakes his head. “Drugs and orgies. We need to get her out of there.”

Riven leads the way, Kamden mutters something about finding Tate and searching for Ciara and Aolyn when I tell Riven they’re also missing.

We take a dark hall, bursting into a sprint when Raea panics. “Ryker, their hands…” She gasps.

“Please,” she sobs.

I feel so godsdamn helpless, and this is taking way too long. She’s right, though. Her magic is untested, and she could kill everyone. Last time we were on the launchpad. The damage within the palace could be catastrophic.

I remember something about being able to share magic as mates. I don’t remember what exactly, but I can feel Raea’s power like a golden waterfall. If I wanted to, I could call upon some of it. I would be an extension of her. If she were to call upon it, she could share it. The same could be said in reverse.

“Soraea, I need you to listen to me. I’m going to summon wind and rain. I need you to grab some of that power and use it, okay? Use it to get yourself free.”

I hear her agreement as I open a window in the hall, telling Kellan to go with Riven. Trysten waits with me as I call upon my magic.

Since waking up Fae, I haven’t practiced containment. I can feel how wild it is and knew I’d need a safe place. But there’s no time for safety. I can only hope it’s enough. I throw the windows open, letting the gale scream into the hallway. I call the storm, pushing it toward the tether in my mind.

“Take it!” I roar silently.

I feel her grasp the edge of my power, a frantic, scorching pull that drains the breath from my lungs. Outside, the sky breaks open, but inside, I feel my own magic being molded by her hands, turned into a shield I can't see.

Below in the city, waves are lapping at the side of the river, and there’s a frantic noise as the Fae rush to their homes, terrified at the storm that appeared out of nowhere. Beside me, Trysten stands guard, his eyes searching the halls and ignoring the rain that is pelting us and soaking through the finery.

A flash of heat burns from my right wrist to elbow like a brand. I grunt in pain, ignoring it so I can focus on maintaining. “Raea, I have to let go. I’m flooding the streets.”

“Let go. I'm okay.”

In an instant, I release both strands, amazed when my energy that Raea had pulled comes hurdling back to me. It’s only then that I realize how much power she had pulled. I step away from the window, turning back down the hall.

I hear the window behind me latch before Trysten catches up. “Is she okay?”

I nod, looking both directions when I come to a cross section. I take a moment to use my senses, smelling the air. I catch a hint of Kellan going left.

Needing her in my arms, I take off running. Trysten’s steps stay close behind, but he’s struggling to keep up. With my Fae abilities, I’m able to run faster. I’m about to tell him I will come back for him when I hear Riven.

“I’ve got her,” he says, coming around the corner with Raea in his arms. Her dress is torn across the chest, and the slit up her thigh is ripped as well. They’re both soaked. Riven passes her off to me as Kellan moves around the corner, gasping for air.

Raea’s makeup is smeared down her face from her tears and the rain. “I’m okay,” she says softly, wrapping her arms around my neck. Her body shudders against me. From the cold or from shock, I’m not sure.

Guilt like I’ve never known settles on my chest. I should have told the king to fuck off. If it had started a war, then a war I would have gladly fought. They will all pay for this. The males who took her down there, the guards who failed to keep her safe, even the king.

“I’ve got you,” I whisper. “I’m so sorry, love. I should have left sooner. I⁠—”

“No—” she says, shaking her head as she trembles against me. “Not your fault. Please just take me home, Ry.”

When I look up at Riven, he looks pissed. “I’m assuming you’d like to have a word with the five males?” he asks me.

My jaw ticks as I hold Raea closer. I nod, and I assume he knows exactly how I plan for the conversation to go because he says he’ll come find me in the morning. Before he disappears back to deal with the Fae, he tells us to find Carys. She’s the only one, aside from the king, who can summon a gateway in the courtyard. Others can only be opened beyond the city gates.

I set Raea down for a moment as Riven leaves. Trysten and Kellan both turn around to give her some privacy. I remove my coat, offering it to her.

“My back,” she whispers. “It burns.”

I turn her around, but don’t see anything. I peel back the ruined fabric, and the air leaves my lungs. It isn’t a bruise or a brand. It is a rune, etched in shimmering, ethereal light into the small of her back. It pulses with the same rhythm as her heart. The first trial, I realize with a sinking dread. We haven't been tested by a priestess or the council. We’ve been tested by the darkness of this court.