Page 99 of The Shadowbound King

Staggering back, confusion swirled through me at the sight of a dagger hilt poking from my bodice. My mind slowed, my thoughts plodding and disjointed. Red poured down the front of my gown, and the taste of copper flooded my mouth.

Rane roared, grabbing Othor by the throat. “Youfuckingtraitor!”

Othor’s sneer was vicious as he gripped Rane’s wrist. “And you’re nothing but a slave.”

“A slave who’s going to end you,” Rane snarled, slamming him into the wall.

My vision swam. Light exploded from my chest. Pain and confusion gripped me as my knees buckled, and I fell to the ground. The light swelled, brilliant and golden. Sparkling motes danced in the air. I reached for them with numb fingers, wonder spreading even as pain sank its claws into my chest.

Footsteps pounded, followed by muffled shouts.

Heat spread under my skin. My blood turned golden, flowing from me in a shimmering river. But it was spilling everywhere. The light grew brighter, its glow stinging my eyes.

“Mirella!” Rane cried, abandoning Othor and reaching for me.

Othor came off the wall with a growl, clawing at Rane’s shoulder. “It’s mine!”

The men grappled, Rane delivering an uppercut that snapped Othor’s head back.

“You won’t touch her, you asshole!” Rane shoved Othor away and came for me, only to grunt and stumble as Othor struck him from behind.

“She’s the Kree,” Othor hissed through bloodied teeth.

Rane’s eyes went wide.

The door burst open, knights spilling inside. My father’s voice boomed from somewhere behind them.

“Seize them! Don’t let them leave!”

Rane grabbed Othor and dragged him toward me. His purple eyes flashed as his hand found mine. “I’ve got you,” he gasped, pulling me up. “I won’t let go.”

Knights rushed us.

Spinning, Rane plunged us into the shadows.

Chapter

Twenty-Six

ANDRIN

Something was wrong.

Panic clawed at my chest as I paced in front of the Edeloak. Othor’s staff lay abandoned on the ground. The ancient tree loomed above me, its leaves stirring in a soft, warm breeze. But the rustling lullaby offered no comfort. Something was wrong. It had to be.

I stopped abruptly, my gaze locked on the spot where Othor had vanished. He’d said nothing, given no sign of intent. He just dropped his staff and left, stepping into the shadows at the base of the Edeloak seconds after Rane and Mirella winked out of sight.

Why would he risk it? The Edelfen’s shadows waited, ready to pounce. They would tear him apart if he faltered. Where thefuckhad he gone? And why? The questions churned in my mind, feeding the gnawing panic that rose like bile in my throat. Helplessness followed, bitter and suffocating. I couldn’t follow. Couldn’t go after Rane and Mirella to make sure they were safe.

If I left Autumn, the Edeloak would die.

The thought rooted me to the spot, its weight as heavy as the ancient tree above me. I clenched my fists, willing myself tothink, to act, but there was nothing I could do. I was bound here, trapped by duty and necessity.

The staff nestled among the grass and dead leaves. I started toward it?—

Othor tumbled into the King’s Grove, landing hard on his shoulder with a pained grunt. Before I could fully absorb his sudden appearance, Rane staggered from the shadows with Mirella in his arms.

Light erupted around them, flooding the grove with brilliance like a dozen suns shimmering at once.

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