Page 233 of The Ascended
My vision blurred. The sword in my hand flickered.
"Aelix, don't—" Xül started.
A curse slammed into my mind like a spike of ice driven into my skull. I arched backward, screaming as the energy clawed its way through me.
Then there was nothing but darkness, swallowing me whole.
Chapter 56
Revelations
The world snapped into focus—soundcrashing over me, dragging me up from the darkness. My skull throbbed where Aelix's curse had struck, but that pain was nothing compared to the burning at my wrists and ankles.
Priest ropes.
They had bound me with priest ropes.
Fire licked at every point of contact, not just binding but draining. My power was being leached. Each heartbeat pushed more of it through the enchanted bonds, leaving me hollowed out and shaking with rage.
I jerked against the restraints, testing. The chair beneath me groaned but held firm.
"—what the fuck is going on? What were you trying to do?"
Marx's voice cut through the red haze. She crouched in front of me. Behind her, Aelix paced.
And Xül.
He leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, narrowed eyes burning holes through my skin. As if he had any right to look at me.
My power surged against the bonds, trying to answer my rage,and fresh agony lanced through me. I bit back a scream, tasting blood.
"Why would you attack him?" Marx pressed, searching my face. "What were you thinking, Morvaren? They won't tell me anything."
She looked between Xül and me, but his stare never wavered. The weight of it made me want to claw my own skin off. How many times had those eyes looked at me with fake concern? How many lies had that beautiful mouth spoken while I'd fallen for every one?
I met his gaze with every ounce of hatred I could summon. My voice came out raw, scraped thin by betrayal. "Don't pretend to be ashamed. Tell her."
Aelix stopped pacing, moving toward Marx. "Okay, you've seen that she's fine and awake. You need to go now."
Marx let out a laugh that didn’t bother hiding its contempt. "Nice try. I'm going nowhere."
"I'm serious, Marx." His hand closed around her upper arm, lifting her with insulting ease.
"So am I." Power crackled around Marx's fingers—just enough to make Aelix release her and step back. She moved to stand beside me, and my heart twisted in solidarity. "I don't think Thais is suicidal enough to try to come at your prince for no reason. So, what happened?" Her eyes narrowed on Xül. "Did he hurt you?"
Yes, I wanted to scream.
Instead, I looked at Aelix. "Did you know?"
His solemn expression was answer enough. Of course he knew.
"If you don't want Marx to be in the same danger that you are right now for knowing what you do,” Aelix interrupted, command ringing in every syllable, "then I suggest you don't say another word until I get her out of here."
"I'm not interested in your riddles," Marx snapped, and I loved her for it. "I'm staying. I don't give a fuck what any of you say."
"Marx—"
"I'm not going anywhere until someone tells me what just happened," Marx growled.
