Page 17 of House of Mages and Raven

I was tempted to rip off their magic and turn off their projections just for fun, just because I could, but I restrained myself from showing my cards and being an impulsive fool.

Everyone was here for my trial. Sy preened and smiled, soaking in all the attention.

I was still an unknown outside Shades Academy, but the chaos in my wake must’ve brought all the authorities here. I drew in a cold breath. It wouldn’t end well for me if I was labeled a security risk to the whole realm.

While the herald was still going on and on, using court jargon and throwing big names around, I watched Cade, Rowan, Louis, and Silas swagger into an empty auditorium box. They sat down, accepted offers of drinks, and stared down at me. I didn’t wave at any of them. I was a criminal on trial now.

My heart skipped a beat as my gaze snagged on who was getting into the last empty box. Killian entered with Queen Lilith, her elegant fingers resting in the crook of his muscled forearm. That gesture showed her claim on him in front of everyone.

The duo’s power overshadowed the king and queen of Kingdom of Chaos and commanded the room. Everyone gasped, and I sucked in a shaky breath. The demon queen wasn’t supposed to be attending, as my trial had nothing to do with her or the Underworld. She was here as Killian’s fiancée. Hadn’t she told him to present a united front? The inclusion of her in this proceeding shouted out her new status in the realm.

The chaos heir had not only ditched me since the day he’d left me in his bed, but he’d also brought her here, parading her in front of everyone. And that spoke volumes of his commitmentto her. He’d promised to tell me if he was mine. There, I had my answer.

I’d expected it, though a silly part of me had held an unrealistic hope. Yet seeing them together like this with my own eyes, it still felt like being run over by a bus. By sheer will, I locked my gaze on Killian, and he glanced at me with cold boredom, which sent an ice spike through my flesh and bones.

Suddenly, I found myself struggling to breathe, and my legs wobbled. I was afraid that I’d sink into hyperventilation right where I stood in the center of the hall.

Someone was saying something. The crowd whispered, but their words all passed through me like a rush of frigid wind. The world fell away, my gaze still fixed on Kilian and his betrothed getting cozy in their private box. Two attendants bowed to them and offered drinks and refreshment to the royal couple. Queen Lilith ignored them and trained her predatory gaze on me where I was caged in the warded circle, a mocking smile on her sensual lips.

Pull your shit together!Sy growled.Don’t let that bitch queen get under your skin. We’re not weak, and I’m here with you, like always.

I forced myself to breathe in and out through my nose and nodded in thanks to Sy. Even if I lost everything and everyone, I still had her. I wasn’t alone. I’d never be alone. Sy and I would always have each other. Once again, it was us against the world.

I straightened my spine, pushing steel along it.

A prolonged silence hit me in the face, and I snapped back to here and now as I realized that the herald had come close to me and had been yelling.

“Chill, dude,” I said without heat while tossing my head back to maintain some personal distance, trying to look as cool as a cucumber. “Your spit nearly got into my face.”

The nobles gasped. I bet the royal herald wasn’t used to being scolded. A few snickers rose from the heirs of the rival houses.

The herald shot daggers at me, his knuckles white on the serpent bone as he restrained himself from hitting me with it. If no one had been looking, he would’ve smacked my skull open to punish me for my slight.

“You’ll show respect,” he barked, anger in his gray eyes.

Queen Odette rose to stand on her nine-inch heels. “The trial needs to go no further,” she said in cold rage, pointing a finger at me. “Everyone knows this creature murdered my daughter, princess to Kingdom of Chaos. Princess Medea would’ve been the chosen bride to one of the heirs and birthed the One to bring back the old magic. But now all is lost because thisthingrobbed my daughter of her great destiny. It must be put down like a rabid animal. I won’t grant it a quick death. Only after it suffers my wrath will I erase its soul for good.”

“But if I am anit, I can’t have a soul,” I pointed out.

The queen lifted her hands, her magic twirling around her fingers, snakes rising from her hair and hissing at me.

Earlier, I’d tested the ward around me. It was inverted—cleverly designed to cage me yet allow outside forces to harm me or strike me down when they decided to punish me or sentence me to death on the spot.

Kilian shot to his feet, ready to intervene, but Queen Lilith clamped her fingers around his wrist and halted him. Of course, they were a couple now, so he’d listen to her. He’d chosen her over me. Then a moment later, as I paid more attention to the couple’s dynamics, I noticed that his starlight tried to push through but her touch snuffed it out. She could neutralize his power due to the bond between them, the one that had prevented any woman from touching him, except me.

Bile rose to the back of my throat.

With my strength, you can leap high enough and drag down that queen bitch!Sy urged.Lay her on the marble, dig my claws into her chest, and eat her heart! She should not touch him. No woman should touch him except us, except you.

I might have done as Sy urged me if not for Queen Odette shooting jets of shadowy water toward me. I widened my eyes as I spotted dozens of snakes streaming along with the water. If the elemental water landed on me, the snakes would be all over me, biting me and pumping venom to paralyze me.

“Shit, shit!” I shouted, and threw up a hand in a hurry.

The attack made a U-turn and shot back toward Queen Odette, faster than when it came at me. Before anyone could react, before any shield could be erected, before any royal guards could spring into action to prevent a disaster, the sheet of water fell on Queen Odette, drenching her.

11

Barbie

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