Page 84 of The King of Frost and Shadows

I hated how he managed to make me smile even when I didn’t want to. There was just something about him, and he knew it, which made him incorrigible yet charismatic.

“Love, you’re about to go into a tournament where youcould die. I’d be disappointed if you weren’t trying.” He frowned, the twinkle fading from his eyes.

Whether it was right or not didn’t matter. “No one deserves this. Not even the prisoners I’m fighting.”

“We’ll agree to disagree on that.” He slowly walked to the door with his head hanging like he was the one about to fight for his life and not me. “Either way, it doesn’t change what has to be done.”

Nightbane kept pace at my side, and I folded my wings behind me. That was the one thing I’d learned to do without difficulty, and I didn’t want to chance anyone harming them as I passed by.

I didn’t trust the Unseelie.

When I reached the threshold, I glanced over my shoulder, feeling like I was leaving a large part of myself behind in that room.

Stupid, foolish wildling I’d become.

Torcall and Finola stood tall, their hands on their swords like they were prepared to wield them at any time as the four of us and Nightbane made our way toward the prison.

We walked instead of flying, which was for the best. I didn’t want to use my wings before the gauntlet and strain my back muscles any more than I had to. The fall from Earth had been long and fast, which meant my flight upward would take forever … or feel like it.

Our steps echoed on the smooth floor, informing everyone of our arrival.

Not that they would be afraid.

Soon, the stench of piss and feces hit my nose, and I swallowed a gag. I refused to be weak.

In the hallway, I paused, taking in Dougal, Lorne, Moira, Rona, and Bran with their wings free.

The muscles in my back relaxed. At least, in this fight, we’d have our wings. That would help with whatever obstacles came our way and in my escape.

“Ah, the sunscorchedprincesshas finally decided to join us.” Rona sneered. “I can’t wait to watch her die today.”

Today was the last chance the five of them had to kill me. They’d be out for my blood more than ever before, wanting to claim that victory. But I didn’t plan on dying.

I had something to prove to them all, including myself.

“Bring out the chains,” Struan called excitedly. “Then we’ll pass out the weapons for the show.”

The show.

My skin crawled.

One guard with hair the color of soil stepped up from the front of the room. The chains were in the shape of wings, and he passed the other five prisoners and came straight to me.

Cold fear knotted my stomach.No. This couldn’t be.

Two guards stepped around Torcall and Finola and grabbed my arms. I tried to jerk out of their grasp as the one guard with the chains placed them around my wings. The chains pressed against my wings, and my back ached while my wings fluttered, trying to break free. Locks clicked, and the walls closed in on me. I’d never been claustrophobic before, so of course it would happen before heading to war.

“Hand out the swords and shields, and we can let them inside. Eldrin’s waiting.” Struan rubbed his hands, batting his eyes at me.

My spine stiffened when I realized what was going on.

“What about the others?” Finnian asked and placed a hand on my shoulder, holding me back.

I had no plans to move forward, especially when myhead was getting dizzy. I took in deep, slow breaths to calm myself.

“Last gauntlet, she used her wings, and the others didn’t.” Struan shrugged. “Eldrin said it was only fair that the other five get to use their wings this time while she’s chained up.”

“She didn’t have wings to chain,” Finnian snarled, not sounding like the man I knew. “She got them during the trial. It’s not her fault, nor should she be punished.”

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