Page 69 of The Dark Rises
Until now. His jaw clenches along with his fist, but I hear his soft exhale, as if he’d been holding his breath until he saw her. Alive and within reach.
Denir holds up his hand, and I tap Cormal’s shoulder. He tears his eyes from Riona and gives me a firm nod. Leaving him, I make my way to the pillar closest to the dais.
Denir holds out his arms. “For three thousand years, I’ve served as your king. To mark this momentous occasion, the coronation anniversary ceremony will be held during the public celebration. With the current winds of revolution flaring high in the Light Fae Kingdom, my people need to see the power that protects them now more than ever.”
The crowd shifts silently on its feet, but then the whispering begins. Growing louder by the second, they talk about this latest change.
Incensed at their lack of applause, Denir motions to his queen. She steps forward. He bends down and whispers something to her. Pale lips move, and the crowd becomes silent.
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Puzzled, I turn to look at Cormal and see him murmuring and weaving his hand to counteract the spell she must have placed on the crowd. A minute goes by. He dips his chin, telling me to proceed.
This time when I open my mouth, the words flow out. “The power must be displayed tonight, on your anniversary.” My voice is loud in the silenced room. “Or you will forfeit the crown.”
Angry, he swivels to face the crowd nearest to me. “Who dares to speak that way to their king? Show yourself.”
I step from behind the pillar onto the dais. “You’re not my king. Never will be.”
He stares at me, eyes widening in recognition.
“What? Not happy to see me, cousin? Well, it has been a few thousand years.” I hold out my scarred arms and hands. “As you can see, I’ve been a bit busy fighting monsters. Literally.”
With the exception of Theron and Arden, the crowd shuffles back a few steps. Scars aren’t the norm in Fae society.
Denir motions to the guards nearest to him. “Remove this imposter.”
Callyx claps a hand on their shoulders, and they pale when they see who’s holding them. “This is between family. Let them hash this out.”
“How dare you enter my court!” he shouts at Callyx. “Wait until I inform Lucifer.”
Callyx flashes him a taunting smile. “Lucifer knows you’ve lost the right to rule. Do you think he cares? He backs the true heir to the Dark Fae Kingdom.”
Red-faced, Denir motions to the lords nearest him, and they move to intercept on his behalf, but a shield of ice forms around them.
Theron pulls his two swords. “Madoc, the son of Madox, deserves our respect and allegiance. Hear him out.”
“Madoc is dead,” Denir shouts at Theron. “How dare you interfere in my orders! Once I’ve taken care of him, I’ll strip you of your lands and title.”
“Only the king has those rights. Either display the power to rule or give up the crown,” Theron states cooly.
Denir murmurs to his queen, and a wave of power penetrates my shield and wraps around me, squeezing so tight my bones crack. Her black magic creeps up to cover my face.
“Riona, it’s me. Your brother,” Cormal says, moving to my side. His hands silently weave in and out, setting his magic against hers. “Our father, Brennus, was the first Druid. Remember?”
The binds around me break, and she stumbles back. “I know you?” For the briefest moment, her eyes flash a darker blue, but Denir whips his hand up to touch the torque around her neck.
Infuriated, I jerk him away from her and punch him in the face hard. “Fight someone your own size.”
He stumbles and raises his hands, pushing magic toward me. Typical Fae response. Curling his hand, he looks to his lords and ladies, but the power that is usually on tap is gone. Only the king can pull from his subjects.
Throwing my hand out, I shove him against the wall with magic, then follow with another right cross. And another. Bones crunch beneath my fists, and it’s so satisfying it makes me wantto beat him to a bloody pulp. Magic collars me, jerking me away from him.
“Fuck!”
Riona comes to stand next to Denir.
He spits out blood and drags his sleeve over his mouth. “Her number one priority is to protect me.” With a flick of his finger, he taps her cheek, then the torque. “Isn’t that right, Riona?”
“Get your fucking hands off my sister,” Cormal snarls at Denir. “You’re a weak, pathetic piss-ant with little magic to call your own. Everything you wield is hers. You struck gold when you bought her from that last demon, didn’t you? She goes free tonight.”
