Page 103 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood
Relief surged through me. Surely she had to see that something was wrong. I fought to twitch my fingers or give some sign, but honestly, the sight of a young woman being physically carried off by someone had to raise questions even among the fae.
Calla Lily gasped and covered her mouth. “Oh, no! What’s this?”
“None of your concern. She fell ill. I’m helping her.” Many-Greats lied as easily as he breathed, despite the sulfur stench hitting me. “Either fetch a physician or go. I’d recommend the latter. I hold a position of great authority on the High Aureline Council, and I can assure you my connections are far better than yours.”
Calla Lily stepped all the way inside and closed the door. A sly smile tugged at her mouth, twisting into something ugly.“Oh, I know exactly who you are, old man, and I’ve got you right where I want you.”
My stomach curdled, and dread spiraled through me. My consciousness hung on by a thread. Many-Greats’ grip on me tightened.
Lifting her chin, Calla Lily laughed low in her throat. Her red-brown eyes gleamed with delight. “Let’s talk about what happens next, shall we? I think it’s safe to say you owe me big now.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Vad
Terror and hot rage bolted through me, and I nearly fell into the railing of the Ceremonial Hall’s dais. My heart squeezed, and my hand clutched at my chest.What in the fecking void was that?A single panicked thought seared through my mind:Briar.
Vyraetos placed his hand on my shoulder. “Are you all right, Your Highness?”
We’d just endured yet another earthquake, and yet the old man was steadier on his feet than I was. I straightened, I kept gripping the marble railing. “Yes,” I forced out. A bitter taste coated my tongue. The odd sensation in my chest twisted, then vanished.
I wanted to portal to Briar at once, but I was at the front of the Ceremonial Hall, which had been charmed and sigiled against using any such magic. I needed to go to the sigil on the other side of the doors to be able to use my magic. My shadows coiled uneasily around my ankles, lashing out and pressing up against the walls.
The sensation vanished, but the dread refused to leave. It weighed on me heavier than anything I’d experienced before, and my chest seemed cold. Was it the earthquake? Perhaps, but none of the others had done this to me. Even the previous symptoms of the weakening magic had not been this bad.
The Ceremonial Hall had fared better than expected. The quake had shifted things more than it had shattered, but it had lasted longer than the previous ones.
Nausea churned within me, and my head thundered. My grip on the magic of this kingdom was slipping, and it soured within me. The coronation and wedding couldn’t happen soon enough.
Vyraetos gave a mournful shake of his head. “A pity the vesting didn’t hold longer. It’s good that this will be over and done with so soon. It cannot be hidden any longer.”
“Agreed.” I scanned the hall as the servants milled about, frantically adjusting and reordering furnishings and décor. The long red carpet that ran down the center of the hall from the towering onyx double doors to the front dais had been pushed partly aside in places where black benches had scooted into it, and unlit black torches lay across it.
A pair of servants moved through the two broad seating sections on either side of the carpet, checking for damage. We had less than half an hour before people would start arriving, and I had to finish overseeing the final preparations, then dress in my royal raiment and return to greet the essential dignitaries and council members.
The black and gold marble dais had several hairline fractures, but the orchestra box had escaped mostly unscathed. Luckily, the two high-backed thrones on the smaller dais were simply slightly askew.
The only thing that had remained perfectly in place was the massive shadow beast banner that hung from the ceiling and above the thrones. The shadow beast’s red eye looked out overthe grand hall with cunning and wisdom, the weaving itself so vivid that it looked real.
An unsettling sensation passed through me, my stomach twisting again, and the sense of urgency intensified.
“Do whatever is necessary to finalize preparations then.” I set my hands on my belt and lowered my head, fighting a grimace. Another spasm passed through me, and my veins burned. Feck. This was getting bad, and I didn’t know how to stop it.
“Colm Ainle will almost assuredly inquire again about the execution.” Vyraetos clasped his hands behind his back. “I have thus far kept him at bay by telling him that all plans have been placed on hold because we’ve been forced to advance the coronation so swiftly and because we don't yet know the identities of the co-conspirators, so his expertise is unneeded.”
“He doesn’t have to be pleased right now. He just has to stay out of the way,” I muttered. “Make sure there are extra guards present here. Loyal ones. Captain Finbar will be in attendance as well.” Briar coming onto the dais and kneeling to receive the crown and take vows would create a scene. I’d already warned Thalen to be ready with his circle of silence, and he had promised to use it to excellent effect.
I wished more than anything that I could visit Briar right this moment. Generally speaking, it wasn’t considered wise for a groom to see his bride in her full regalia before a wedding, but after all that had happened, I didn’t care about tradition. As soon as I was out of this damnably long hall, I'd portal to her room and make sure she was all right.
I continued down the staircase, pushing down the sensation of nausea. My shadows coiled tighter around me.
Attendants darted up to me with last-minute questions even as I quickened my pace. I answered brusquely. The black armored winged guards at the massive double doors stood to attention and opened them for me as I approached. Almostthere. Just a few feet more until I could be with Briar once more. To the void with bad luck!
I’d barely reached the threshold, though, when Calla Lily ran up to me, her eyes wide and tears streaming down her cheeks. She clasped a folded piece of parchment in one hand. “Your Highness,” she sobbed. “Your Highness, I’m so sorry.” She handed me the letter.
The two guards at the door looked to me, their grips tightening on their spears as they angled them in her direction.
I didn’t take the letter and drew back a step to stop her before she could even attempt to touch me. I scowled. “What’s going on?” I tried to keep my voice level, but I wanted her to leave so I could reach my beloved.
