Page 16 of Knightfall
But Wyle’s chant ended just as I jumped.
And an invisible tether yanked me back.
I hit the ground.
Stars were an understatement. I saw supernovas. The vertigo was so bad, I turned on my side, in case I needed to puke.
Not a single person moved to help me up.
Gradually, the room stopped spinning. When I was able to make my way to my feet, I turned to my mother.
“What in the sarding hell was that?”
“That was a bonding spell. From now on, you must be within five feet of one of your husbands at all times.”
Chapter Five
The soldiers and the mage filed out, leaving only myself and four stunned men facing the queen.
“You can’t do this!” I screamed.
“I can and I have. You will accept your lot in life, Bloss. Your foolishness has gone on long enough.”
“Foolishness? To try to find a—” the geas (the spell that prevented me from speaking about my power) cut off the string of curses I wanted to say and the end of my sentence.
I turned to stomp away but I found myself stopped by an invisible wall. I glanced down. The golden circlet on my wrist glowed faintly.
Rage threatened to engulf me. That circlet felt like a bear trap that had clamped down on my arm.
It sparked panic in me. Riotous panic that spread like fire. Quick and hot and choking.
I closed my eyes and breathed. In and out.
If I were at the inn, I would have cudgeled her to death with a soup spoon. I let that image play through my mind for a moment to quash the panic.
“Bloss, your kingdom needs you,” my mother called behind me. “Now that you have returned, your husbands can help you grow reacquainted with your kingdom. And I can die in peace.”
I turned back to my mother, to meet her eyes as mine filled with angry tears. But I held onto my control. Not a single one slid down my cheek as I looked into her lined face.
“You have another daughter. Avia will be a great queen.”
“Perhaps,” she gave a half-nod. “One day. I cannot wait that long.”
“So you condemn me—”
Someone’s hand clamped over my mouth. A hard chest pressed against my spine for a millisecond, before I was released.
I looked sideways to watch Ryan moving back to his place. “Sorry, Your Majesty,” he addressed my mother with a slight bow. “I found the condemnation comment a bit offensive.”
My mother grinned. “As did I, General.” Her grin faded, and her lips straightened as she glared over at me. “The kingdom comes first. Always remember that. All of you. Declan, perhaps you might be able to escort my wayward daughter to her chambers? She needs to bathe and change out of those filthy maid’s clothes.”
My eyes widened at the implications. He’d be within five feet of me at all times.
My nostrils flared. I ground my teeth together and glared at my mother.
But Declan started to move. When I didn’t immediately follow, all three of my other husbands took several steps backward. The spell yanked on me, and I stumbled.
Declan snapped. “Come on.”
