Page 142 of Of Shadows and Blood

“Promised but not married. Bonded but that, too, can be broken. If you do not accept His Majesty’s deal, he will raze Lux to the ground and spare no one. Lady Elivienne, you are smart. Rolan offers you a life of comfort. You two spent your upbringing together.”

“What does he want from me?”

Schelle crosses her legs and readjusts. “I told you. Allegiance and an heir.”

“Doesn’t he have a wife?”

“Queen Kaelie passed a year ago, rest her soul, but she was not fit for this role. Rolan desires someone with a proper upbringing and a pure bloodline.”

“A Nyxian bloodline,” I state. Pieces begin to fit together. Rolan is working with some rebel force that has yet to go public. I am their bargaining piece. “Why the Nyxians?”

“Dissent is the best port for invasion. And their connection to the ancient ways, of course.”

And I know that Cedric would hear them out, for their land and status if they came forward.

“You understand, then.” Schelle stands, brushing dust from her pants. “Though, do not be mistaken. We could take you by force.”

Calls for help and shuffling outside the townhouse remind me of where we are. Adrian is on the border of Lux and Duresden. The people here are cess and focus primarily on healing. They’re not meant for combat. These people – my people – are being killed outside the door and I am worried about who I am to marry.

Cedric is on his way. He couldn’t be that far from here, but…

Children begin screaming. Their voices, pitched high, shake my core and my stomach lurches. This can’t go on any longer. They’re going to either take me and go to war with Lux or I can go willingly.

I won’t be captured this time.

I won’t allow anyone else to lose their lives for me.

I am not a cause.

Blasts shake the ground and plaster dust falls to the ground. My fist slams on the table. “Make it stop! Stop hurting them!” I roar, moving to exit the room but the Carver stands in the doorway, crossing his arms.

“This could all go away,” he says, flicking dust from his shirt. “Though I’d much prefer to take you unwillingly.” His smile makes my body plunge into ice.

“Stop them, please!” I plead, hearing blasts of magic decimate the town. “King Rolan promises that he will leave Lux untouched if I go with you? How can I influence the Nyxians?”

“Oh, you misunderstand. War goes on, Lady Elivienne. But we will approach it far more diplomatically should you surrender yourself.”

Crumbling outside the townhouse shakes the windows, a plume of dust blocks the view of the mountains. Adrian is falling.

I drop my knife.

Chapter 39

Awaken and let the birds fly. The sky is the lid to an eye that the Gods oversee. Each day it views the lives of all within it.

My feet do not drag down the familiar gold hall. They do not falter, they do not pause. I keep myself upright and think.

Think. Think. Think.

Rolan is seated upon his throne, waiting like an asp as they shove me to the ground. The cess metal bites but I pull myself up onto my knees to meet my enemy.

In court finery, his youth screams here. Still, a line creases in his brow. “Elivienne, what did you do?”

The emphasis on his last word rattles me. “What did I do? Look at what you have done. Good luck. Lux is no doubt arming forces against this as we speak.”

Footsteps trail past my body and I recoil at the sight of Sawyer. His lips pull a tight line but he does not look at me. Rolan motions him over with a flick of his fingers, the two exchanging a silent conversation.

“Tell me, how did you escape the cairn?” Rolan muses, crossing his leg. He’s stalling. For what, I do not know. “How did she do it, Sawyer?”