Page 186 of Crowned In Venom

"You are mine."

She raises her hand—and I know this is it.

Then—the door slams open.

A pulse of magic ripples through the room.

My heart stutters.

"Anya—"

She stands in the doorway, breathing hard, eyes burning.

She looks untamed. Beautiful. Magic swirls around her like a storm.

Their bond—it thrums. That ancient ritual and poison is brutal.

I can even feel it.

The Matriarch turns, amusement flickering in her gaze.

"Ah. The little fox."

Anya doesn’t hesitate.

She strikes.

A shockwave of magic erupts from her hands, slamming into the Matriarch. The shadows around the throne shatter, the walls crack, the torches flicker and die.

The Matriarch staggers.

For the first time, she falters.

I see it.

Fear.

Anya moves toward me, reaching.

"Stay back!" I choke out. I don’t want her near this monster.

The Matriarch snarls, recovering, her gaze snapping toward Anya.

"You—"

The air warps.

The Matriarch lunges.

I don’t have time to think.

I throw myself in front of her.

The pain is instant.

Something sharp sinks into my side.

Anya screams.

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