Page 55 of Shadows of Ruin

A tendril reached for her, wrapping around her waist, panic clawing at me in a way it hadn’t since I saw her incapacitated with a blade lodged in her side while fighting in Brookmere. “You don’t know what my father is like,” I shouted.

Lana stormed closer, standing so close her chest touched my body.

“I will not be treated like some useless pet,” she seethed. “You never treated me like I couldn’t handle myself inBrookmere. I’ll be damned if you start this overprotective Fae male bullshit now.”

My shadows flowed heavier, rising around her. I felt the tension of the others, still not used to the fact that my shadows refused to harm her. I stared directly into her eyes. “This has nothing to do with your abilities and everything to do with how tyrannical my father is. You will do as I ask.”

“Tits and freaking daggers! You are insufferable!”

“Is it always like this?” Jax asked Storm. I saw him nod, even in my periphery, to which Jax snorted. “I get it now.”

“Illiana, you will stay with Raya. You will absolutely avoid the kingat all costs,” I stated with conviction. “And Raya, you will not leave her side. You will protect her, and you will keep her safe.”

Raya threw her hands up in the air again, opening her mouth to argue yet again.

“That is my final word.”

I walked off, wrapping myself in my shadows to keep me from hearing Lana’s protests and steeling myself to face the king. I needed to calm myself and my magic, because if he had any suspicion, any idea of what Illiana Dresden meant to me, she’d be taken.Used.

And I’d burn the entire kingdom in retribution.

Chapter 16

Lana

Today was my birthday.

I’d been alive for twenty-three years, and instead of a day of merriment and celebration, I was trapped in Mysthaven.

Not only stuck in Mysthaven with none of my friends, but also waiting alone, in hiding, to hear if a deadly festival and a Blood Oath would kill my only allies here.

Then, after all that, I’d attend a ball.

The prospect of attending the ball sounded dreadful as it was, but it would also be a ball without Ian. The first ever. Plus, I wouldn’t have my conspiratory partner in crime, Hale Bardot, either. The thought made my stomach roll, thinking of yet another person I wanted safe back home.

And Ian.

I doubled over, my heart unable to spend time thinking about what terrors he might be facing in the dungeons.

My chest constricted, lungs collapsing to where I couldn’t get a breath in. I closed my eyes, desperate to stop my panic from controlling me right now.

I inhaled slowly, tapping my foot nervously on the ground.

What can you see? What can you feel?I let myself hear my friend’s words in my mind.

I stared at myself in the mirror, running my hands over the training outfit Raya had procured for me. It matched my Hidden Henchman persona more than the princess side. Thankfully.

The clothing hugged me tightly, and I forced myself to feel the soft fabric touching my skin. I breathed again.

The black-as-night outfit reminded me of Kade’s shadows around me. The thought calmed me further. I almost sobbed as the tightness in my chest loosened.

My thoughts about Kade persisted, unable to stop thinking about what he’d revealed yesterday in the pit. He’d spoken of his own prophecy. Another damned prophecy that very obviously dictated things in his life. Same as mine.

Internally, the second he’d said it, I balked, not understanding why he would keep it a secret. Until I realized I, too, had kept my own prophecy a secret.

I’d have quite a lot to say to Cassandra once I gained an introduction. But as soon as we met with her, I’d also have to reveal my own prophecy. Which I should probably fill Kade in on as well, seeing as he was not the only one keeping secrets. Maybe.Fates, Kade.

I breathed deeply again.

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