Page 56 of A Petal in the Crown

A stab of pain exploded behind her sternum, and she whimpered, pulling harder as she clenched her fist and jaw and scrunched her eyes. Gray’s magic went taught as she tore at it, and agony exploded behind her eyes, spreading outward until it seared into her temples and down her throat.

"Lea," Gray growled, a warning. But she pulled harder. Shehadto. What was her other option? If she couldn't take Gray’s magic, even a tiny sliver, she certainly wouldn't be able to take Alaric’s. Gray wasn't even resisting.

She clenched her jaw and pulled harder, the roots of her magic twisting and ripping at Gray’s with all their strength. She honed them into a blade, attempting to sever them from their master.

His magic screamed in response, vibrating along the thread of her magic and roaring until her teeth rattled.

Or maybe it wasn’t her teeth rattling. She was thrown sideways as the earth trembled beneath them, rocks tumbling from the hill down into the stream.

"Stop, Lea!" Gray snapped, trying to pull away, but she wrapped him in her shadows, refusing to give even an inch. She had to do this. Had no other choice. They were running out of time.

She cried out as she pulled more magic from her chest—her primary magic, pushing deeper and harder and wrapping tighter, tangling her magic with Grays more firmly—and yanked backwards.

"Stop!" Gray yelled, but she couldn't. Wouldn't.

"Lea!"

Stars dotted her vision as her lungs twisted closed. She couldn't breathe, her heart pounding so rapidly she could feel her pulse in her throat and her temples. But still, she hung on, pulling with everything she had.

Something wet dripped from her nose, and her vision faded, but the last thing she saw as she fell into black, quiet unconsciousness was a river of blood floating from her face and down the stream. A crimson reminder that she would never be strong enough. That the universe hated her, and that if she couldn't find a way to take Alaric’s magic, they were all doomed.

Chapter 34

Janelle

For the first time in two days, the harsh light of the sun dimmed, though only a fraction. It hadn't set, but the furious storm clouds and lightning in the distance blocked enough of it out to allow the temperature to drop a few degrees.

"Here we go," Erik said with a sigh, dropping his plate on the ground and standing. He brushed off the knees of his trousers, then turned to face the oncoming storm and crossed his arms.

"What do you think’s happening?" Janelle asked, identifying the telltale gray lightning that meant their fearless king and her best friend's husband was furious about something.

"Who knows these days? There's no clear way forward anymore. All Gray wants to do is protect this kingdom, and especially, Lea. I worry his temper will only rise the longer this takes."

"And the closer the last petal is to falling," Janelle added softly.

Erik faced back toward the storm, and sure enough, within moments, the clouds rolled over their heads, following behind Gray as he stormed back into Howen. The storm was even more furious as it neared, lightning crashing dangerously close and Gray’s shadows billowing in all directions. In his arms was a visibly frustrated Lea, her face red and her eyes narrowed as she hissed something at Gray under her breath. Theywere both soaking wet, and Janelle gave her best friend a mental high five for what she imagined had happened—a fight that led to Lea shoving Gray in the water, then jumping in after him to dunk his head under for good measure.

Fae men were so intense in their emotions.Toointense. Even Erik, sometimes. She loved him more than she’d ever loved anyone or anything. She could admit that now, even though it made her feel a confusing mix of being vulnerable and sappy. But the things that came out oftheirmouth sometimes? Way over the top.

Neither Gray nor Erik were going to burn the entire world down for any reason, no matter how many times they threatened it. It just wasn't possible.

"Where. Is. Evangeline?" Gray snapped, placing Lea down on the ground to lean up against what used to be the town bakery.

"Over by the church, going through everything again with the survivors. She's worried we're missing something," Erik said.

"So am I," Gray growled, storming toward the burned-out building. Lea attempted to rise to her feet, but Gray spun around, pointing at her and pinning her with a look. "Sit. Eat. Hydrate. For the love of the gods, hydrate. This can't happen again, Lea. You can't weaken yourself like that. Especially if wedofind Alaric in the next town we come to."

Lea rolled her eyes, but sat down, and Gray’s shoulders relaxed. "Thank you," he said, his eyes softening for just a moment before narrowing again as he stomped off toward the church.

"Wanna tell me why there's blood coming out of your nose?" Janelle asked, settling next to Lea against the wall. She knew better than to actually be worried about her. Her face still had color, and Gray would never have left her if she was actually injured or at risk of injury.

Lea wiped at her bloody nose with the back of her hand. "I still haven't found a way to take Alaric’s magic. Only Genevieve’s, and I don’t know whyit worked that time. Maybe because I was in a vision?" She rubbed at her forehead. "I don’t know. I tried again just now…"

"And got a headache and bloody nose and fainted?" Janelle finished for her.

"Explains the clouds," Erik said, shaking his head as he turned to watch Gray in a heated discussion with the blind witch.

"Evangeline said it's the only way. What else am I supposed to do? We know it's possible. The goddess said I could defeat him. I just need to practice more."

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