Page 92 of The King of Frost and Shadows

“How much longer?” I rasped, struggling to keep myself still. I needed to scoop her up and hold her while tending to her wounds. Nothing would come between us anymore, notthe Unseelie, the Seelie, and, most definitely, not somedragon. She belonged to me and no one else. Forever.

“It’s almost over. She’s about to die. Don’t fret.” Eldrin rolled his shoulders and smirked as he watched Moira spin away from Lorne and focus on my mate. “Moira is one of the best swordsfae in our land, and Lorne won’t harm her … not really.”

I swallowed, knowing it was true. I was surprised that Lorne had fought Moira. If he hadn’t, both he and Moira could’ve killed Lira by now since they were the strongest fighters the Unseelie had, one reason I’d had to imprison them when they’d tried to take the crown before it had ever lain on my head to give to Eldrin. Losing my people would be a travesty. I’d guessed when I created the gauntlet that those two would survive, and I’d have them folded in my wing if I ever needed them to fight against the Seelie again.

Then his words sank in, and I rasped, “Is this not a timed event?”

“Of coursenot.” Eldrin’s nose wrinkled. “The sunscorched wildling must die.”

Moira moved away from Lorne and stalked toward Lira, who still kneeled beside Rona. Bran tried to sit up, but he couldn’t. Blood poured from his wound. I’d watched Lira and noticed she’d purposely missed his heart. Still, he was too wounded to move fast enough to get her.

Moira’s face twisted with rage, and her nose wrinkled with disgust. She ignored Lorne. He would never hurt her, which meant I would have to intervene. Her eyes glowed, telling me she was tugging at her magic, which was stronger than that of most other Unseelies. She could influence the way someone felt beyond just fear; the strength of her illusions was so great that people couldn’t control what they experienced because she could changetheir emotions before they realized she was manipulating them.

I couldn’t hear what was being said with half of the stadium yelling loudly, but I watched as Lira tried to stand.

There was no way she could continue to fight, and I made a decision right then and there.

This ended now. Blast the games and rules, especially when it would last untilshewas dead. I was their king, and I ruled asIsaw fit. If anyone disagreed with my decisions, I would throw them in the dungeon.

Before I realized what I was doing, I was soaring through the air.

“Tavish!” Caelan yelled, but there was no one holding me back. I flapped my wings harder, and it still didn’t seem fast enough.

Lira stood hunched over, unable to lift the sword. I suspected her weakness was partly due to her injuries and blood loss, but that wasn’t all. Moira would want her to feel weak and pathetic when she killed her.

Removing my sword from my side, I vowed to end this, no matter what. I swooped down and kicked Moira in the side. She fell to the ground and lost hold of her sword as Lira gasped behind me.

My chest yanked, and I wanted to scoop her into my arms to carry her back to my bedchamber, but not until I’d dealt with the threat. I kicked Moira’s sword out of her reach.

“King Tavish,” she rasped, raising her hands. “What are you doing?”

“Protecting what’s left of my heart.” My chest heaved, and my vision turned red. “I won’t let anyone hurt Lira again.” With that, I stabbed Moira in the chest, digging in slowly. I wanted her and everyone else to understand that Iwould do whatever it took to protect what belonged to me—Lira. I wouldn’t stand aside anymore. Anyone who wanted to harm her had to go through me and my blade.

I lifted my head as I eased it in deeper. She flinched, trying to get away, but I kicked her side, forcing her back completely on the ground. She gripped the blade to remove it, but all that did was cut and bloody her hands.

My eyes connected with the guard who held the horn, and I nodded at him. He’d be a fool if he didn’t understand what I meant.

He jerked the horn to his lips and blew, ending the game.

As soon as the last bit of the echo vanished, I removed the sword from Moira’s chest, the urge to finish killing her surging through me. However, it wasn’tentirelyher fault. I had declared the gauntlet, knowing Lira would be a target. All three of them would receive grace this time, but one mistake, and I wouldn’t hesitate to end them.

“Princess Lira is under my protection,” I said loudly, wantingeveryoneto hear it, though my eyes were locked on Moira alone. “Anyone who stands against her stands against the crown and the throne from this point forward.”

A collective gasp came from across the stadium, and I stood tall. If they believed they smelled any hesitation or weakness, they would attack, and I’d already put Lira through enough. That ended this instant, and I would grovel for forgiveness for the rest of eternity as long as she allowed me to be part of her life.

Moira shook her head and flapped her wings, getting upright. Her face twisted with rage as she screamed, “Never!” She tried to dart past me, but I stepped in front of her, and she hit my armor. She flew back a few feet, her face turning gray. “I would ratherdiethan—”

I raised the sword and stabbed her in the heart, killing her. I lifted my chin and bared my teeth, “As you wish, Moira.”

Her eyes widened, and her wings slowed as she dropped, dying.

Silence descended, and I stalked past her, not bothering to give her a second glance. She’d acted against me, and I needed my people to see how serious I was about this command.

I strolled toward Bran, knowing I had one more target to deal with until I felt somewhat satiated. When I reached him, his face turned gray from anger, pain, or heartbreak. I didn’t give a blast which, as long as he was miserable.

“That Seelie killed my sister,” Bran gritted out. “And you just put her under yourprotection.”

No, he didn’t get to question me. The urge to kill pumped through me and I took in a shaky breath to calm the hatred pulsing through me.

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