Page 88 of Queen of Wrath

His lips pressed into a hard line as he gave me a stern nod, seeming to come to a decision without consulting anyone else.

He stepped forward, closer to the crowd, and held out his hands. “Good people of Theskin, this treason will not go unanswered. I want you to know that you are correct in assuming that all of this is my uncle's doing.”

He paused, analyzing the crowd's reaction.

I didn't know if he was more cocky or stupid, but as I looked around, I began to see their expressions change.

I guess I woefully underestimated his popularity. He can bullshit his way out of anything.

“I, like you, have been a victim of his treachery and lies. No more! We will hunt him down and bring him to justice! For the city of Theskin!” Jax raised his arms and the people slowly began to chant his name.

Lunaira, save me. This must be a nightmare. How is Jax the hero here?

I balled my fists up tightly as my heart began to palpitate in my chest.

I bit my tongue to keep the bile and rage from welling up past my throat.

How can they not see what you truly are? A coward. A fraud.

Jax walked up to the crowd as they began shaking his hand and thanking him.

I turned my attention away from Jax for fear that I would shift into my wolf form and rip his head off right in front of everyone.

Instead, I focused on Emory. I grumbled begrudgingly, “What happens now?”

“We rebuild…and prepare, because he'll be back.” He let out a heavy sigh.

My eyes shifted around me, finding endless destruction and billows of black smoke darkening the sky.

“Emma.” Emory could barely utter my name before he fell forward.

I reached out for him, only catching his head in time to soften his fall as I collapsed to my knees. “Emory!”

Shit! I was so distracted I forgot about his wound!

His body went frightfully limp in my lap, even as his eyes remained focused on me.

“Emory! Can you hear me?” I smacked his face but there was no reaction.

My stomach churned upside down.

I wrestled with the fact that I still wanted to rip his throat out for stopping me from doing what I needed to do to take down Diesel, but, on the other hand, if anyone could help me find and destroy him now, it was Emory and his rebels. I still needed him…

Even if my heart ached with something deeper, I refused to give it another thought.

I yanked my potion pouch free from my side, and spilled out the contents in front of me. I quickly grabbed a coagulating potion and poured it over his chest.

I watched as the wound sealed itself, but he had already lost so much blood. It wasn’t going to be enough.

I had nothing here with me that would be helpful to him…not for blood loss.

“Emory,” I whispered, leaning down and kissing his forehead.

“Allow me?” a familiar voice said from behind me.

I looked over my shoulder to see Kiyan standing there. I was taken aback by the sight of him. I thought for sure he and Ravana would have fled the city by now. I didn't have time to argue. I gently set him down on the floor and moved away so Kiyan could kneel next to him.

Kiyan shut his eyes and held out his hands over Emory’s body. He began to hum something from the depths of his chest.

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