Page 103 of Taken By the Fae King

Magic hovers between Emryll’s palms a moment before she sends it out in the direction of our attacker. My eyes widen at the sight of the dark robed figure with pale gray skin and pitch-black eyes. A Mage.

His sharp, white fangs are bared in a feral snarl as he sends another bolt of dark magic racing toward us.

Gritting my teeth, power burns through me, scorching my veins and exploding from my palms as I concentrate my energy on the earth. The ground quakes beneath us as soil and rock ripple beneath the surface and roots expand and lengthen, heading straight for the Mage.

He cries out in shock as they explode from the ground in a burst of rock and earth, wrapping around him and slamming him to the ground.

Writhing in their grasp, his dark magic pulses through the roots, traveling back to me. A pained cry rips from my throat as it blasts into me. Blinding pain crashes over me like a giant wave, but I refuse to let go.

The ground trembles beneath us from the force of my power. Sweat beads across my brow and I brace myself, struggling to maintain my power. A sharp crack splits the earth, crumbling in on itself as the line races toward him.

His anger ripples through me, the dark magic whispering through my veins and promising a painful death if I fail. If he breaks free, we’re both dead.

An arc of green light races toward the Mage, slamming into him and freeing my magic before rendering him unconscious.

I jerk my head toward the source and Kyven’s eyes lock with mine. A dozen of his warriors stand behind him.

“Grayce!” He rushes toward me.

Breathing heavily, I lower my trembling arms. My heart pounds in my chest as raw pain and exhaustion wash over and through me, and I stumble forward, dropping to my knees before falling to the ground.

Kyven’s strong arms wrap around me, lifting me to his chest. His warm hand cups my cheek and my eyelids flutter open. A strange mixture of pain and devotion mar his features as his eyes search mine. “Grayce, you must stay awake.” He lifts his head, shouting at someone. “Get the healer! Now!”

CHAPTER56

KYVEN

Raw panic rips through me as I stare down at my beloved. Blood trails from the corners of her eyes as she blinks up at me, struggling to remain conscious.

“Kyven,” she barely manages as tears track down her cheeks. “The Mage and the Wraith… are they—”

“You are safe,” I reassure her.

The Wraith are dead, their bodies crushed in a cage of vines. Out of the corner of my eye, I observe as Aren drags the Mage back to the castle to take him to the dungeon.

Gently, I brush the blood from her face and then drop my forehead to hers. “I need you to stay awake, Grayce. Can you do that?”

Weakly, she nods.

Over my shoulder, I hear Emryll directing the healer to us. Healer Draymon comes up beside me. His eyes widen briefly as he takes in the scene around us. The displaced earth and the open fissure in the ground. I expect several questions, but instead, he instructs me. “Lay her down.”

“We should take her inside,” I argue.

He moves his hand through the air, just above her body as he assesses her. His expression turns grim. “There isn’t time.”

I lay her on the ground, and he closes his eyes as he concentrates on his healing powers. A soft white glow envelops her entire body as he works.

My heart stutters and stops as she closes her eyes. “Grayce!”

“She will live,” Healer Draymon says solemnly. “I put her in a sleeping state so her body may recover faster. She used too much of her power.”

“The Mage and the Wraith attacked without warning,” Emryll’s voice sounds over my shoulder. I turn back and her eyes are fixed on the dead Wraith with a faraway look. “We would be dead now if not for her.”

I clench my jaw and lift Grayce into my arms. “I want you to remain at her bedside until she awakens,” I command Healer Draymon as I start back toward the castle.

He and my sister follow closely behind me as I push through the doors and into the hallway. Several guards look on with shocked expressions as I pass them on the way to my chambers.

Gently, I lay her down in the bed. I doubt Grayce would appreciate waking only to find herself covered in dirt and blood. I rest my hand upon hers and close my eyes as I cast a cleansing spell. When I’m finished, I turn back to Draymon and Emryll. “I will return as soon as I can. If she awakens while I am gone, send someone to find me. I want to be notified immediately.”

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