Page 102 of The Light Falls
Green scales appear across both of Lorn’s arms as he stubbornly shakes his head. “No. Give Allandra the crown first.”
Vargas takes a firm hold of Solandis.
Lorn tightens his grip, and she cries out in pain.
Furious, I hold the crown out to Allandra, but when she reaches for it, I toss it high into the air, hoping to give Vargas the distraction he needs.
Everyone’s eyes follow its path.
Guards pour into the room and surround Callyx and Vargas. Callyx immediately pulls his sword in defense. Vargas reluctantly releases Solandis to join Callyx.
I look up. The crown is near the top of the ceiling, suspended in air as if held by a string. It spins one way, then another, as if looking for someone. Suddenly, it begins to spin furiously around and around. Light bursts from it. Camon steps forward and holds out his hands. Allandra glances at him, then does the same. Others follow.
I step down from the dais.
“Why won’t it choose?” Brina cries frantically.
Allandra grabs my arm, her nails puncturing my skin. “What did you do? I know you did something.”
“I told it to pick the best ruler,” I state truthfully.
Power surges through her and into me. “Tell it to pick me.”
“The crown chooses the ruler,” I force out through clenched teeth. “Why don’t you ask it to pick you?”
Her eyes gleam and she looks up at the crown. “Pick me.” Nothing happens. She waits another minute. Furious, she sends more power through me. “It’s not working.”
Camon laughs at her feeble demands. “I’m a High Fae with royal blood on two sides. It will choose me.”
Brina grips her husband’s arm tightly. “Call it to you.”
“I’m trying,” he mutters.
The pain is so crippling, I fall to my knees. “Let go of me.”
Faery fire erupts from the tips of her fingers. “Maybe it can’t choose another unless you’re dead.”
The smooth hilt of a familiar dagger slips into my palm. Gripping it tightly, I wait for the right moment, knowing I have no other choice.
She raises her arm.
Cormal erupts from the shadows a foot away, but it’s too late. For Allandra. I plunge the dagger into her heart. She steps back and looks down with a laugh, then crumples to the floor, her eyes staring sightlessly at the ceiling.
Lorn roars in pain and immediately erupts into a huge green beast. He shoves Solandis to the floor, then charges toward me, every step thunderous in the golden hall. Cormal smoothly slides between us and raises his hands. Dark magic flows from his fingertips into the beast, slowing it immediately.
I look at Vargas and Callyx. They’ve taken out the guards around them.
Vargas picks up Solandis and steps into a shadow.
A brilliant golden light fills the room. Shading my eyes, I look up and watch as the crown suddenly disappears.
I step closer to Cormal. “Solandis is safe, but we need to go. Wrap it up.”
Incantations slip from his mouth. The floor beneath the beast opens into a dark, endless tunnel. It drops into the massive black hole, roaring the entire way down. Cormal closes the floor and grabs my hand.
With the threat gone, Callyx steps into a shadow to follow Vargas and Solandis.
A sharp point presses against my chest and I jerk Cormal to a stop.
