Page 46 of The Court of Thorns and Wings

He snarled, sounding more animal than man, and ripped me away from his body, holding me in front of him.

Blighted abyss. Are you okay?Tavish linked again.

All my years of training kicked in, and self-defense came naturally to me. I lifted both legs while flapping my wings, using the heels of my shoes to kick him hard in the chest.

The heels broke, and I flapped, ready to pull away.

But instead of his grasp relaxing, he held on tighter, refusing to let me go.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a sheath with a hilt. I needed to reach it.I’m fighting the dragon prince.

“Stop fighting me, princess,” he growled. “You’re annoying me more than anything.”

I gritted my teeth, his words pissing me off as terror filled the bond from Tavish. I didn’t need his emotions affecting me, so I used the one thing I could access.

I tapped into my magic.

14

LIRA

Itapped into the cool, refreshing spot in my chest and allowed the magic to pulse through my body and into my hands. I lifted them and sprayed water in the prince’s face with as much force as I could bear.

He stumbled back as his hold relaxed, and I flew away from him. I continued to spray water from my hands as I flew away from the garden and him.

When I got twenty feet in the air, I pulled back my magic. The clear water thinned until it completely disappeared, my magic settling back deep inside me.

Prince Pyralis stood there, face scarlet as he breathed heavily. Faint patches of scales covered his skin, and his pupils were elongated, but the smoke that should have been trickling from his nose wasn’t there.

I smirked, unable to stop myself. After manhandling me the way he had, he deserved what I’d done.

My parents had to learn what he’d done to me. There was no way they’d be all right with the way the dragon prince had handled me. We weren’t in Tìr na Dràgon—not that it would’vemattered to me anyway. I would’ve done the same thing there because no one would mishandle me ever again.

Turning my back to him, I flew off toward my bedroom. If he tried to find me there, I wouldn’t let him inside. I was tired of all these people believing they had a say over what I did and how I lived my life. In fact, they more than believed it… they felt it was theirright.

My wings moved faster, my agitation damn near taking control.

Pain pulsed through my connection with Tavish. Pain that wasn’t my own.

Now I was the one who felt helpless, not knowing what was happening on his end.Tavish, I’m coming.Fuck my parents, Pyralis, and everyone else. I didn’t give a damn if my parents and I lost our magic from not completing the agreement of my marrying the dragon prince as long as I saved Tavish from whatever they were inflicting upon him.

You are not. I’ll find a way to get out of this and kill the ashbreath for whatever he was doing to you,Tavish replied, hot anger wafting through our bond.Is he still hurting you?

No, I got away from him.I swallowed, thankful when my room’s large window appeared. I headed toward the break in the glistening white stone of the castle, feeling as if I would be somewhat safe once more.I’m flying back into my room. Alone.

When his anger didn’t lessen, I realized my mistake before he even asked the question.

Did he touch you?Even in my head, his words were low and full of anger.

He did, but Tavish, it doesn’t matter.I licked my lips, trying to help him regain control.He saw our fated-mate markings. He knows I completed the bond.

Blast.Icy tendrils of fear seeped through the bond, stabbing me.That’s not good, Lira.

How is it not?I’d expected him to be thrilled that the dragon prince knew I was taken. My heart grew heavy. Had he reconsidered wanting to be with me? Surely not.

Because he’ll be more determined than ever to make sure nothing interferes with the vow the dragons and the Seelie made with each other.

The pain from his side ebbed but didn’t dissipate completely.

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