Page 113 of Crownless King

“It took him a long time to act out on it,” I said.

Alcon rubbed his neck. He looked exhausted, but I doubted he could sleep now, even if he tried. I couldn’t think about sleeping myself, either. Every fiber of my being vibrated with anxious energy that wouldn’t let me stand still.

“Vautour is one of the minor lords,” Alcon explained. “He has no power to go against the king on his own. But he’s found an ally in High Lord Bussard, who is apparently back from the Below.”

“Is Bussard the one who is attacking us now?”

Alcon nodded. “He’d collected an army, enough to take the palace. And without the king…” He sighed. “The warriors of the royal army love and respect Voron deeply. They would fight and die for him. But if he is dead already, whom do we ask them to fight for?”

“He isn’t dead.” I shook my head. “Voron is alive.”

Alcon placed a hand on my shoulder. “Lady Sparrow, as the king’s bonded mate, if there is anything you can think of to bring him back, tell me how I can help. Elaros needs its king now more than ever.”

He didn’t have to beg me. I needed Voron more than anyone.

“Can you wake up people most loyal to Voron, please? Those who want him back as much as you do.”

He gave me a penetrating look. “What are you planning to do?”

“Whatever it takes, Alcon. Everything possible and beyond.”

* * *

The courtiers gathered in the Throne Room. Yawning and in various stages of undress, they blinked at me and rubbed their eyes. I spotted Libelle in the crowd. She was next to her bonded mate, holding his hand. Dove was there too, beaming at me while combing her fingers through her curls messy from sleep. Every one of Voron’s men was there, too, including the High General Farion.

Alcon leaned toward me. “What do you want us to do, Lady Sparrow?”

I heaved a long breath and addressed the court, “Thank you, everyone, for coming here. I want you to help me bring our king back.”

A murmur rolled through the crowd, confused but hopeful, as I ascended the dais.

“Please, work,” I quietly prayed to the capricious sky fae magic that seemed to have a mind of its own.

Placing both hands on the vines, I leaned my forehead against them. Voron was trapped inside, and this was the closest I could get to him. But it wasn’t right. His place was with me. For better or for worse, with all his faults and mine, we belonged together.

He was mine. I owned him. And I wanted him back.

“Give him back to me,” I whispered, reaching deep into the magic of Elaros that held Voron prisoner.

It let me touch it, but I had no strength to do anything more.

“Help me.” I reached a hand to Alcon.

He took it without hesitation, and I felt a rush of his magic connecting to that of Voron’s through me.

“More,” I demanded.

He stretched his other hand out toward the crowd gathered in the room. “Anyone else?”

Dove ran up the stairs and took his hand, stretching hers out to Libelle.

The power grew inside me, making my head spin. I pressed my side to the pillar, hugging it with one arm. The chain of people holding my other hand got longer, as the entire court was now linking hands, lending me their magic.

I might be just a vessel, but I was a limitless one. Ravenously gathering every tendril of their powers, I channeled them through to the man I wished to free so desperately.

“More,” I kept saying again and again as more fae joined us.

The wondrous torrent grew stronger inside me. The vines trembled, resisting my push. But the deadly power of the crossbow bolt poisoned the light of sky magic. Even if I freed Voron, what parts of him would I get? Was his mindless body all that was left of him?

---