Page 160 of Throne of Dreams
His answering smile sent chills straight to her heart. “You, Dawnbringer.”
“Excuse me?” She balked and stared down at his proffered hand. From beside her, Tiernan stiffened. He hauled her against him, locking his arm around her waist. His gaze darkened, then narrowed, leveling the god of death.
“No. She is not part of our deal.” Tiernan’s voice lowered, all menace and fury. “In exchange for the power of destruction, you said you would take everything fromme.My magic. My power. My life.”
“No,” Aed responded, his tone dismissive. He sighed, annoyed. “Perhaps you should’ve been more careful when agreeing to our terms.”
Tiernan’s muscles went taut and Maeve curled into him as fresh panic crawled up her spine.
“Our bargain was that on a day of my choosing, I would take everything from you.” The god of death had the audacity to roll his eyes. “But since you so graciously demanded my presence, I’ve come to collect Maeve.” He smiled and it was terrifying. “Youreverything.”
Oh gods.
Dorian sucked in a breath. “No.”
“Come along, Your Highness.” Aed stretched out his hand once more, his patience thinning. “I don’t care to stay outside of my realm for longer than necessary.”
Tiernan pulled her into a fierce embrace. He cupped both of her cheeks, kissing her until her body trembled. His lips were soft, and she committed the feel of them against her own to her memory. He was everything she ever wanted in this life and the next. He was the beating of her heart. The depth of her entire soul.
“And you are mine,” he whispered into her mind, shuffling her behind him. He picked up his swords from off the ground, twirling them so the pointed blades were aimed at the god.
“I will fight for her.”
“You dare go back on your word to agod?” Aed spoke and the whole of the Autumn Court cowered in fear. “I just saved you from Parisa and already you wish to meet death again so quickly?”
Tiernan straightened, sword raised. “If it means sparing her from you…then yes.”
“She’s our queen.” This from Merrick. He had his blade drawn, ready to face down the god of death. “You can’t have her.”
Lir stepped up to one side of him, armed with both of his curved swords. Brynn appeared on the other with Maeve, her spine locked into place, her jaw set in fierce determination. Ceridwen stood at the ready, her fingers flickering over the hilt of each dagger strapped to her waist. Even Dorian came forward, his face a mask save for his eyes. They reflected the depths of war.
Alarm flared to life inside of Maeve. This was her family, and they were prepared to die for her.
She would take her own life before she let any of them fall for her.
Tiernan’s magic amplified, and she darted out from his hold. “No!”
But the god of death simply smiled. “Fools.”
Power blasted through them, a wave so immense it vibrated through her, all the way to her soul. Darkness engulfed them in a throng of shadows, the air bitter and cold, intensified by the god’s wrath. The might of his power carved its way inside her, and the ghost of an icy hand took hold of the magic in her blood, gripping it, crushing it. Pain exploded from her heart, splintering through her body like shards of frozen glass.
Maeve shuddered and screamed. Her lungs seized. From somewhere off to her right, she heard Tiernan groan in agony. All around her, sounds of anguish pierced her ears. Aed was going to rip their power from them, just as he’d done to Parisa.
Her magic churned, panicked and frenzied. Harrowing agony tore through her, clutching her, strangling her. She couldn’t move, she couldn’t breathe. Dropping onto her hands and knees, she crawled through the frozen blades of grass. They pierced her palms like dozens of tiny daggers. The god’s power wrenched inside her—her back bowed and her head snapped back. He tugged again and she lurched forward, her arms giving out from under her. The side of her face smacked into the hard earth and black stars danced across her vision. She caved, clinging to the shreds of her magic as it twisted and yanked, ruining her.
Maeve gasped and reached for her sword of sunlight. Called to it. Begged it to answer her plea.
The brilliance of the dawn exploded in her hand.
Her sword had answered her call.
She curled her fist around its hilt and its burning blade shone brighter than ever. Her magic siphoned and she pulled it back, drawing it inside her, wielding it against the god of death. His power raged, scouring her, but she pushed through the fire and flame to where the magic of a goddess’s soul lashed out in vengeance. Steam erupted from her as she struggled to her feet, as the breath of life and the touch of death warred inside her. Gathering what remained of her weakened strength, she heaved the sword of sunlight high above her head and sent it down in a slashing arc, cleaving through the shadows.
I fear nothing.
Aed’s power shuddered. Shivered.
“Call it back!” she screamed, repeating the motion, and driving the darkness back, away from those she loved. “Call it back,now!”
