Page 7 of The Crown of Nyx

“He’s in the air!” Vanya pointed over my shoulder at the male who had, thankfully, taken flight. “He’s okay, Ivy.”

I released a shuddering breath before turning back to her. “And what about you? Are you okay?”

Vanya trembled, shaking her head. “Oh, yeah, no, totally okay.” Her eyes left mine to take in the ballroom. The rest of the ceiling caved in around us, and we both screamed as more debris hit the shield. “Okay, no, I’m not! What the fuck!”

The shield flickered, losing power. I gritted my teeth, pushing more of my own strength into it. But my chest hurt, body burning from the effort.

Just a little longer,I begged the magic.Please, protect us for a little longer.

Warmth trickled down my bond with Orion.We’re out, little flower. Please tell me you’re not in the middle of the rubble.

Jaw clenched, I pushed more energy into the shield as the floor rumbled again.I am, in fact, in the middle of the rubble. Hawk is flying above us.

Us?Orion asked.

I grunted.Yep. Vanya and me. We’re stuck. My shield is up, but I don’t know how long it’ll last.

Another hard force hit the barrier. My legs buckled, and I hit the ground with a cry. The shield fell apart like an explosion of violet light.

Goddess, I was exhausted. Ringing started in my ears. I barely felt Vanya beside me, trying to pull me up. She appeared in front of me, trying to speak, but only her mouth moved. No sound came out of it.

Then I saw him, crawling out from behind the throne. Not dead like I’d hoped.

A fucking cockroach rising from the rubble.

Anger washed through me, but arms pulled me back. Tingles of electricity raced over my skin as Hawk whispered in my ear. The ringing drowned out his voice, but vaguely, I made out similar words to the ones he’d spoken during my magic explosion after Kerry’s death.

I blinked rapidly to push the anger aside as more of Dante’s men flooded the destroyed ballroom. They didn’t seem all too worried about us. They went straight to their false king.

“We need to get the hell out of here,” Hawk said, voice finally pulling me back. “Ivy. Please. We need to get out of here.”

I swallowed hard and nodded. “I know. I know. Orion said he has everyone. That they’re close.”

Too close. Several of Dante’s soldiers shouted, pointing at the curtains behind the dais. I strained, trying to pull out of Hawk’s arms, but he held me tightly as Orion appeared, with the others following close behind.

Something in my chest cracked at the sight of them. It’d only been minutes apart, but it felt longer, especially with the bonds still dormant in my chest.

They’re alive, I reminded myself, slumping in Hawk’s embrace. Rowan was okay, Adrian was okay, Maeve was okay, and so was Elias. They were there. Breathing. And soon, I’d feel them again.

Orion didn’t even look at the soldiers. Instead, he brought his hands up and drenched the room in darkness.The soldiers cried out, Dante shouted something, but all I needed was to reach them.

Like a light had been switched on, a small, narrow corridor appeared in the darkness to guide the way to my mates.

I took Hawk and Vanya’s hands. We started down the dimly lit path, my heart racing the closer we got.

And then I saw him. My wolf.

I released their hands and picked my way through the rubble faster to throw myself into Elias’s embrace. Strong arms wrapped around me, holding me tight to his trembling body. I breathed in his scent, the familiar smell of pine and forest filling my lungs. It sparked something within me, awakening our bond.

I’m here,I whispered, tightening my hold on his neck and burying my face into his throat. “I’m okay.”

Elias released a heavy, shuddering breath. “Fuck. I love you.”

My throat tightened, tears burning the corners of my eyes. “I love you, too.”

Somehow, his hold grew tighter. But the bond brightened, strengthening in my chest. And it felt powerful.

“I can only hold the darkness for so long. We need to leave. Now.” Orion’s clipped voice made me glance up and suck in a breath.

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