Page 103 of Beneath the Flames
At my silence, he said, “A slow answer is not a rejection, Rhydian.She has a lot of things to consider.Choosing you means giving up on her family.That’s not an easy choice for her to make, especially when you’ve hardly opened up to her.”
Once again, Nico’s wise words made me pause.He was right.It was unfair of me to expect her to instantly say yes.
I was about to thank Nico, to go back to Maren and apologize for walking out on her, when a blinding white light filled the room.
When my vision returned, I swore.“For Moon’s sake,” I bit out, glaring at Queen Elonara, who stood near the window, lips red as blood, a giant gown to match.The crown on her head glistened in the dim light as her mouth spread into a satisfied grin.
Nico suddenly moved behind me, eyes wide, the first time in many years I had seen true terror on his face.What was that about?He’d never seemed afraid of either of the queens before.Not like this anyway.
“Get out,” I commanded.Who did she think she was, waltzing into my private chambers for a second time?Elonara had become far too bold over the years.
“Quiet, Prince.Believe it or not, I’m not here for you.”
My first thought was that she was here for Maren, that she was going to kill her, but then her gaze shifted to Nico standing behind me.Why was she looking at him?
“I’ve considered your request, Nico of Eroth.”
Request?What request?
“The answer is no.”Her bright red lips pursed with the word, the lift of her chin saying there would be no argument.
I looked to Nico.“What’s she talking about?”
Nico fiddled with his fingers, his head lowered, though he glared at the queen.
“I beg you to reconsider.”
“As much as I enjoy a Dark Fae begging me—my answer remains.”Then those cold eyes turned to me.“It would serve you well to keep your pets on a leash.”
Hands clenching into fists, I bit back, “Nico is family, not a pet.And it would serveyouwell to remember whose domain you’re currently in.”
Elonara sneered.“I’m not afraid of you, Prince.Not while your last breaths are numbered.You might have completed two of the tasks, but she will never love you.”
Her words didn’t even register, silenced by the fury ripping through my blood.I wished my magic was what it used to be so that I could wipe this pathetic excuse for a queen from Avalea.She might have been Pure Fae, but her heart was dark as ink.
“When I break the curse, you’ll regret those words.”Golden light pooled in my palms, but it was faint.
She gave a humorless laugh at the sight of my sad magic, at me saying I was going to break the curse.She obviously didn’t believe that I could.
“Yes,” she mocked.“I’m trembling already.”Elonara stepped back toward the window, daring to turn her back on a Dark Fae.
My magic might have been too weak to kill her now, but a knife would still slide into her cold heart all the same.
I had just grabbed the blade hidden at my back when Elonara tsked.
“Unless you would like me to pay your girl a visit next, I suggest you quit while you can.”
The fight drained from me at the threat against Maren, the knife slipping from my hand and clanging against the tile floor.
The queen smiled over her shoulder at me, full of triumph, knowing she’d won.
A flash of white light blinded me.
Then she was gone.
I instantly turned, finding Nico cowering in the corner.I hadn’t seen him afraid—of me especially—in quite some time.Though I was furious, the sight of him like that made me take a calming breath.
“What was she talking about, Nico?What request?”
