Page 51 of Claws of Death

“Clio—”My head whips to the female, meeting her gaze of solid jade.

If no one took her magic away, she should be able to site-hop out of there.

The princess of Askarea stares me down, clear warning in her eyes.

“Where is Royad?”Snapping my attention back to Kaira, I scan the clearing.

No sign of the Crow male. Not even a feather.

“He managed to get away before they got us.”

Good, at least one of us is safe. And Myron…

I can’t even begin to fight the terror of what will happen when he realizes we’ve been betrayed—again.

“Did Clio?—”

“Shhhh. Focus.”Kaira shoots me a sharp look just in time for me to hear Erina’s next sentence.

“I have to admit, my court was in upheaval for a day or two when they figured out the Milevishja princess had disappeared.”

“So, you sent your bloodhounds after me?”

Herinor’s grumble of warning is too late. The words are out.

“My bloodhounds?” Erina laughs while the Flames all stand at attention, awaiting his order to fire those growing balls of flame at us. “Come on, Wolayna. I don’t need bloodhounds.You,better than anyone, must know I’ll always find you.” He leans forward as if sharing a secret, and the hairs at the back of my neck stand erect at the thought that he just used the exact same words Myron once used.I’ll always find you.“I found you on the ocean. I found you at Fort Perenis. I found you after your time at the Crow court was over. And I found youhere.”

Beside me, Herinor stands so still I am not sure he’s even breathing, his muscles taut and his features tight. I don’t know what to do. Don’t know if I should negotiate for the others’ freedom or draw upon that restless well of magic in my veins.

“Shall we fight?”Asking Kaira’s opinion is the only thing I can think of. “Forty against five of us… The odds aren’t in our favor.”

“Plus Silas got a hit to his head,”Kaira adds, “I’m not certain he could fight if he wanted to.”

Behind us, something crashes inside the estate, screams following with a blood-stilling shrillness that allows me to believe it’s not Myron who’s fighting for his life but the Flames who confronted us. As long as he’s safe, I can play Erina’s game.

“What do you want?” It’s time to lay out the cards, learn why he’s hunted us down.Ifhe’s even huntedusspecifically.

Tilting his head, Erina glances from Clio to Silas, then back to me, stepping through the front row of Flames, careful not to touch them. “You didn’t think you could escape my hand, did you?”

So, hehasbeen looking forme.

“It’s time to return to Meer and take your place at my side.”

“Over my dead body.” My voice trembles as pure rage wells up inside of me.

Eyes on the swaying treetops closest to the estate, Erina takes another step toward me. Fifteen paces lie between us. That’s the same distance as Herinor and I had to cross to escape the Flames inside the entrance hall. We made it there.

Out here, we won’t make it anywhere. Erina doesn’t need to voice the threat to know Kaira, Clio, and Silas will pay if I refuse.

“Don’t even think about it,” Herinor growls. He’s not supposed to help me, but it wouldn’t prevent him from considering saving my family and friends. “Myron will kill me if you?—”

“That’s not your choice to make.” I cut him off before he can makeme feel guilty.

The shield he’s still projecting swallows our words, but it doesn’t keep out Erina’s as he continues. “Yourdeadbody won’t be very useful for making a few heirs, dove.” He is halfway between the Flames and Herinor’s shield now, fingers not even close to the blade at his hip. At his feet, a gust of wind stirs dry leaves and blades of grass, carrying it toward the waiting Flames. They settle on the boots and leather armor of the soldiers while Erina’s clothes remain impeccably clean like he has a shield of his own.

“What do you say, dove. Will you come willingly?” A glance over his shoulder is enough for the closest Flame to direct their fireball at Kaira’s chest. My sister locks eyes with me, imperceptibly shaking her head.

“You’re the rightful queen of Tavras. You won’t yield.”

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