Page 85 of Fates Fulfilled
Lex’s palms sweated, and her heart thundered in her chest. “I can’t.” These were her family, her friends…her lover.
A handful of Fae not an arm’s length away were suddenly frozen in their steps by a sheer film of ice. Two more screeched in pain as the hilts of their swords burned bright blue.
Lex looked back. Garrin was fighting off several soldiers and throwing out magic at the same time.
Not far away, her mother’s refined, delicate hands worked quickly as she jabbed a Fae with a small knife. Though he was twice as big as her, the guy was losing the fight. Because fist-sized stones were pummeling him in the head.
Come to think of it, Lex had never asked her mother what her power was, but she saw it now. Isle could move objects, including people. Just as she’d stopped Lex and Garrin from falling to the bottom of a ravine.
Her powers must have limits, or she’d be throwing the soldiers out of the cave.
She was good, Lex’s mom. But they wereoutnumbered. Massively. There was no way they could fend off the king’s soldiers for long, with scores more pouring in every second.
And then Lex sensed it.
The Dark King’s power coiled in the air above them like a snake ready to strike.
Garrin cut down one soldier after another, giving the king barely a glance. And that was when Lex realized something so obvious: she was the only one who could see everyone’s power.
Others could sense power levels, but not even Camille and Amund couldseepower move to its next target. And that was useful. Really useful, considering the size and intensity of magic coming off the king. Something was about to happen.
“Garrin!”
Somehow he heard her above the noise and looked up, while blocking blow after blow.
“Leave! Now!”
The Dark King’s eyes narrowed on Lex, and his mouth twisted into a dark smile. He motioned behind him, and Mertha’s husband was shoved forward.
The older Fae’s back was bowed, and suddenly the fighting stopped. Because Mertha’s husband had sent a surge of calming power that felt like a warm shower, subduing everyone, including Garrin.
“He’s like Reese!” she said to Garrin, which didn’t have the effect Lex intended.
The king leered at Lex happily as though she’d done something to please him.
Had she given away her ability?
The king glanced at Mertha’s husband. “Thank you, Felix. You’ve done well.”
Felix looked pained as he turned to Garrin. “They threatened to keep me alive past my time. I wish to be with Mertha. I told them I didn’t know anything.”
“Oh, but you knew things, did you not?” the king said. “You knew a great deal, once we convinced you to remember.”
Felix dropped his head, looking anguished.
Garrin stepped forward. “Father, why are your warriors fighting us?”
The king looked straight at Lex, making her skin crawl. “Were you attempting to hide your bride, Garrin?” He looked her up and down, his gaze simmering with something Lex didn’t want to analyze.
Garrin’s jaw tightened. “She is not hidden. She is with me.”
“Did you know,” the king continued, “that Mertha often shared information with Felix? It turns out she knew of your intended, Lexandra Meinrad. She also knew of her mother. And who Lexandra’s father is.”
Garrin stiffened. “Lex is innocent.”
The king crossed his arms and looked up as though considering. “Innocent? I think not. She has avoided her duty as a noble Dark Fae in my court.” He stared straight at Isle. “As has her mother.”
“How did you know we were here?” Garrin said, deflecting, from what Lex could tell.
