Page 3 of Forged By Heart and Claws
Blood spurted from Vad’s wing, but he didn’t seem to notice. His claws cut into the man’s flesh, puncturing and crushing the attacker’s throat. Then Vad slammed our attacker’s body to the floor with a sickening crunch.
“Are you okay?” Vad rushed over to me, the man’s blood covering his hands.
I looked at the wound. It hurt, but I’d had worse. Still, blood trickled from my side. “I’m fine. What about you?” My attention went to his wing.
“Also fine. But we need to get you out of here. Go through the door on the groom’s side of the dais. Back to the left. Use the dagger for protection.” Vad pushed me in that direction.
“Traitor prince!” One of the Shadow Fae guards lunged forward with a halberd pointed at Vad’s chest.
“Stand down.” Vad thrust an arm out to keep me back as he seized the halberd with the other hand and wrenched it to one side, sending the black armored guard staggering as the spiked blade slammed into one of the dark wood benches.
The guard’s armor clinked and creaked as he struggled to regain his balance. “You both deserve death. This is your fault! You let your kingdom down for a human.”
Vad snarled and jammed the halberd deeper into the wood.
I ducked around Vad and stabbed the guard in the throat where the black plate armor ended at his chest and the helmet started. Blood spurted from the wound, and he gurgled, lurching back. The dagger came free with a sickening squelch.
Madness and chaos exploded within the shattered hall. Most people were trying to escape, and terrified screams came from all directions.
On the dais, Shadow Council leader Vyraetos tried in vain to call for order, hands lifted. “Everyone, please, calm down. We will sort through this. Return to your seats until we light torches for those without shadow sight.” His voice boomed out yet failed to carry far over the roar of panic and violence.
“The traitors are moving!” one of the Shadow Council members shouted, pulling her hood lower over her face. “They’re taking over the palace!”
“Vad and the beast are the real traitors! They’ve destroyed the vestment!” another Shadow Council member screamed. “Allloyal to the true Shadow Fae, capture the false prince and his whore prisoner!”
"Or kill them!" another shrill voice screeched.
“Defend the king and queen!” A large shadow warrior, who had been near the dais, lifted his sword. His wings snapped out in a defensive posture. A few of the black-winged guards snapped forward, halberds pointed at the crowd, though they looked about with uneasy glances.
Briar, run!Vad’s voice crashed through my skull like thunder.Get into that room and close the door. I’ll be right behind you.
Not without you. We aren’t getting separated again!I adjusted my grip on the dagger. More blood dripped down my iridescent gown, soaking the layers of beautiful pastel fabric and delicate butterfly patterns while the panicked outcry continued.
Another Shadow Fae lunged at Vad, this one a woman in a dark-pink gown with long artificial claw-tip nails. Vad punched her in the chest and knocked her back. She staggered away but caught her balance enough to lunge again and slash at his face. She caught air, momentum swinging her sideways. He closed the distance and slashed her throat with his claws.
It happened so quickly that I hadn’t been able to help. Yet my entire body tensed from him being attacked once more.
Vad took my hand and dragged me toward the door.We need to leave as quickly as possible,he linked.
Deep cracks had formed in the floor throughout the hall. The towering double doors had twisted and splintered, and a large piece of stone had pinned one shut. A heavy pounding sounded on the far side of the door as someone tried to get in. Most of the guests were still trying to flee—some on foot, some flying. Those who I assumed had no night vision fumbled around with their hands out, staggering and groping their way through the dark. Most everyone’s faces were marred with scars and blemishesthat seemed to have just appeared now that their glamour had failed, their appearances ragged.
I cast a look around the hall for my friends to see what state they were in.
Princess Elara, Vad’s sister, lay on the dais, one pale hand lifted, Vad’s friend Silus supporting her head. Her glamour had fallen away, and her black wings had collapsed, the right one twitching. Vyraetos knelt beside her with his palm pressed to her head and his other hand guiding Silus’s hand over hers. He whispered something to Silus, and Silus shook his head, his gaze fixed on Elara’s face as he blinked rapidly as if straining to see.
Most of the Aureline Council members had vanished, along with many of the Shadow Council members. Bride candidate Calla Lily had disappeared as well, but Kaylen stood near the door between two non-winged Aureline guards who were arguing with two of the Shadow guards.
The remaining Shadow Fae guards sparred and fought one another as some shouted to protect the king and others shouted to kill us. A black-armored Shadow Fae without a helmet and encircled by four other guards held up his sword. “Enough!” he shouted. “Remember your loyalties. Get to the king and queen!”
Most didn’t respond, and it wasn’t hard to see where the lines were falling. We were outnumbered.
“Briar! Run!” Many-Greats shouted as he groped his way between benches toward me. “Don’t let them near you! Don’t trust anyone. Especially not the Aurelines!”
My heart twisted, and bitterness filled my mouth. He had the fucking nerve to tell me not to trust the Aurelines? No kidding! I’d learned that in prison.
Finally, I spotted my bride-candidate friends behind him, feeling their way through the benches toward the aisle.
Guards entered through the gaps in the twisted door, one at a time, each armed and carrying a torch. Shouts and bellows frombeyond the doors confirmed more were coming. Most of the Aurelines had vanished.
