Page 117 of Cages and Crowns
“That’s not true and you know it.” He snaps and takes the glass from the platform, turning back towards the table. The door opens and I turn to see my least favorite person, the man who happens to be my father-in-law, stroll in.
“I see your aether has become even more unpredictable in your…state.” He sneers, gesturing towards the destroyed targets.
“Excuse me?” I retort, stepping away from the podium and towards him.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but starlight burns, not destroys. Correct?” I don’t respond. “I thought so. Also, correct me if I’m wrong, this change in abilities has something to do with the demon in your womb. Correct?”
“Dav—” My mouth gapes as I stare at him.
“Do you think I am stupid?” He snaps walking quickly towards me. “I know the child in your womb isn’t of my blood and I will not allow you to sully this line.”
“What are you going to do about it?” I respond just as loud.
“Your child is a bastard, and you are awhore.” I slap him.Hard. His faceturns red, and he spits on the floor, blood landing on the gray stone.
“Don’t you ever speak to me like that again.” I sneer, stepping closer.
“Your child will not be named heir. Your child will be ignored by these courts and by the continent. That child will be nothing!”
“This child will bekingsomeday!” I yell, getting in his face. His iron laced breath fans across my face, and I fight the urge to gag. He turns away without a response, slamming the door behind him. “What is he going to do?”
“I don’t know, Nora. But whatever it is, can’t be good.”
The horns sound, pulling me out of my sleep. Sweat clings to my hair, plastering it to my face. My stomach cramps and I look down at the slightly swollen belly underneath the shirt I stole from Nithe’s side of the dressing room. The horns echo throughout the room again and I glance towards his side of the bed.
“Nithe?” I whisper, but he doesn’t answer. I slide out of the bed and walk to the windows. I can’t see anything, the night blocking out the courtyard. “Nithe are you he–” The door flies open, and I spin around. A black cloak runs at me, and I duck out of the way just in time to miss his fist.
He spins around, reaching for me, and I twist out of the way. What the fuck? I run to the bed, my hand sliding under the pillow for Nithe’s dagger he always keeps. My fingers graze the hilt before a hand goes around my waist. My arm flies out, slamming the dagger into his shoulder. He drops me and I land on the floor with a thud, my stomach taking the brunt of it.
I shoot up, aiming for the door, but it flies open again, nearly hitting me in the face. I run right into the arms of another person, the stench of ash coating my nose. His arm goes around my neck, and he lifts me off the ground. His other arm snakes around my waist, holding me to him. I kick out, my nails scratching at his forearm.
He lifts me up before slamming me face down onto the wood. My nose burns and tears well up in my eyes. I can feel his thighs digging into mine, but he’s too slow. I roll under him and get a leg free. I slam my foot into the apex of his thighs, and he falls to the side. I scramble to my feet just as a fist comes out and slams into my jaw.
My eyes go dark for just a second before white sparkles in my peripherals. I grab the man’s wrist and he screams as my aether pours into his body, slipping through his veins to his heart. He goes limp within seconds. The other man rises, and his hand goes around my mouth. Something sweet tickles the back of my throat and I inhale. I can smell the sticky sweet scent of hemlock on his hand, before my eyes roll back.
He drops me to the floor again, grunting as my weight nearly takes him forward. I stay conscious, but my limbs aren’t responding.
No.
I dig deep, as deep as possible. Willing the aether to burn away any trace of the drug. Something is tied around my ankles before he yanks my arms behind me and ties something around my wrists.
The door opens again, and I try to look back, but I can’t move my head enough to see. I hear a grunt and then pain as something lands on top of me.
“Elaenor! Are you okay?” Bergamot and mint invade my senses as I hear ropes being cut. I try to speak, but nothing comes out. “Hold on.” My arms are free, and he rolls me over. I’m frozen, paralyzed as his eyes frantically search my body for harm. “Did they drug you?” I don’t answer. “Blink if they drugged you.” I blink. “Fuck, okay.”
Running footsteps sound behind him and he’s yanked away from me. My feet tingle and I get the sense that the drug is wearing off already. It was probably only enough to render me immobile so they could tie me up. I wiggle my toes and work a swallow.My pulse races and I beg for the burning sensation of sparks travellingthrough my veins.
I hear fighting in the hallway, and I try to lift my arm, surprised when it cooperates. I push myself up into a sitting position, my head swimming. I don’t try to stand, but I crawl to the hallway. I groan as my nails dig into the wood, pulling me farther out of the room. At least a dozen cloaked men are in the hallway. Swords are flying, grunts and screams echoing.
I place my hand on the wood of the floor and close my eyes, willing my aether to come. I feel it as it rises in my chest and snakes down my arm. My eyes open and my hand is a sparkling white. I look back into the hallway and picture all of the assailant’s necks snapping. And they do.
Men drop to the floor, their bodies making a sickening noise as stars fly off of them. Then everything goes dark. Arms grab my shoulders, pulling me up. Nithe’s purple eyes are wide, bloodshot. He wipes under my nose, and it comes away bloody.
“Are you okay?”
“The baby.” I whisper. He glances down at my stomach and bends down to hoist me up into his arms.Enzo’s face is bloody as he comes into view. His hands reaching for my stomach. His eyes close as he listens.
“Everything is alright, I can feel him.” I nod and a sob shudders out of me. “You need to rest.” Cold fingers brush my forehead and I narrow my eyes, looking up at Nithe. His arms are under me, holding me tightly to his chest.
