Page 87 of Essence of the Throne

“There won’t be any. The king wants everyone to watch me die, remember?” I grin, my lips curling when even that hurts. “He’s always been a dramatic bastard.”

Jessenia’s throat bobs, the movement soft. “And after we get them out?”

“Take them to Marek at the guild. Tell him—” I pause, considering my words. “Tell him I sent you and to wait for my return; he’ll take it from there.”

“Ifyou return,” Elowen mutters. My eyes snap to hers, and she lifts her chin. “At least let me heal you before you go.”

I shake my head, allowing darkness to seep through my gaze. “No time. And I need you both focused on the children.” I turn to leave but halt. “One more thing—if you see anything that resembles notes on his experiments, take those too, and bring them to Caspian’s room.” They do not need to find out that my doors are warded, and my prince cannot even be bothered to lock his. Foolish.

“Wait,” Jessenia calls in that sweet voice as I start walking. “What if you don’t come back?”

I peer over my shoulder. “Then tell Marek to get the children far away from here. The kingwilllook for them.” I meet their worried gazes. “But it’s a waste of breath—I’m not dying today.”

I don’t wait for their response before continuing down the hall, that persistent tug growing stronger with each step.

Cool night air covers my face as I step outside, making me groan. The imposing arena looms just ahead, hair standing along my skin. My instincts scream at me to turn back—this is wrong,all wrong—but that pull in my chest only grows stronger. It’s the reason I break into a run toward the unknown.

Why in the Aether would Caspian be in the arena? The bi-annual Frostwell competition is almost complete, but that has to be the last thing on mind after what happened in the tunnels. I cannot think of a valid reason for his presence there.

The tunnel entrance is unguarded and pitch black. More warning bells ring in my head. But I need to find him, so there is no hesitation in my steps as I rush into it, my breaths coming harder the closer I get to where I know he is.

Lights boom from every direction as I emerge into the arena proper. My feet halt when I spot him. Caspian stands alone—in the center—perfectly still, staring directly at me. Something about his posture sets my teeth on edge. His eyes, even from this distance, are void of any and all emotion. I’m used to seeing such an image in the mirror, but not from him…never him.

“Here she is!” Thalion’s voice thunders through the arena. I jerk, cursing myself for becoming so focused on Caspian that I failed to notice the crowded audience. “The Silver Wraith, traitor to the crown. She has been sentenced to death for harboring forbidden essence. A treason that cannot be forgiven.” So the bastard expected me to escape. "I bring this to you, my citizens, as an entertaining treat before we continue with the next phase of Frostwell events!"

The crowd erupts in a deafening roar, their cheers blending into a cacophony that embeds into my skull. The sound presses against my ears as if it’s trying to burrow there for safety, making it nearlyimpossible to focus. My fingers twitch at my sides, the weight of so many eyes clawing at my resolve. Why are they here? Were they not just calling for his death?

I must still have a head injury, because it's only now that I realize this is a trap—he fucking knew I’d come for the prince.

I showed him my one weakness, solely because I didn’t believe he’d be so heinous as to do anything that would harm his son.

I was wrong.

I’m unsure of what he’s done with Caspian, but the prince is not himself and I need to save us both before Thalion continues with whatever he’s planned.

I spin toward the tunnel, but the entrance has vanished, leaving behind smooth stone. The walls are extended past the threshold that would allow me to get us over them before Thalion could intervene. The king’s laughter echoes off the walls as panic claws up my throat. I keep my expression void of any emotion.

Think. There has to be a way out.

But I do not see one.

And for once, I’ve no fucking clue what to do.

I whirl back to Caspian, reaching for my blade. The king wouldn’t risk the death of his heir—I can use that. But as I approach, there’s a shift in Caspian’s eyes that stops me cold.

They’re so empty. They lack all the warmth and intelligence I’ve come to know. His face is a mere husk, with features that are unnaturally still. This isn’t my prince.

“Caspian?” I keep my voice low, searching his face for any sign of recognition. Nothing. “Caspian, look at me. Whatever he’sdone to you, fight it.” Not even a flicker of a reaction appears, my heart sinking so low I could vomit.

“I’m afraid he can’t hear you,” Thalion calls down from his pretend throne, sick amusement clear in his voice. “My son has had a change of heart. He’s decided he’d like to be the one to kill you himself.”

I try to stop the trembling of my hands from his words, but I can’t as pieces click into place.Once I fill you with enough essence…The king’s earlier words, though sadistic, may be exactly what I need. He’s controlling Caspian with essence.

But the only strand with that ability is psionic—why is there no one speaking about how Thalion is using the same fucking forbidden essence he’s trying to kill me over? Pathetic. All of them.

“Kill her.”

I’ve no time to register the king’s command before I need to defend myself. Caspian moves faster than I’ve ever seen him move before, as his blade whistles through the air just a heartbeat after his father’s words. My years of training save me as I jerk back. Even then, the edge catches my throat, opening a shallow cut that burns as blood drips from it.

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