Page 127 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
Shit. I’m back in hell.
“I’ll win the fortress for you. There’s no need for this,” I beg her.
Dark vines with thorns rise from the ground. The shadows slither around my neck like a noose, squeezing the air out of my lungs. I convince myself I do not need to breathe. The cords wind tighter, threatening to sever my head completely.
“Nel…” I whisper, struggling to my hands and knees.
The pain on my back, neck, and hands is nothing compared to the one I have in my heart.I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to withstand the torture of the blades piercing through my body.
The pain is making it hard for me to focus, but I glimpse a ray of light through the cloud of darkness.
My suffering ceases and I take the opportunity to gather whatever dignity I have left to crawl out of the tent.
Rhianelle Wiolant is a fucking liar,the voice whispers again.
A beautiful fucking liar.
Chapter 20 Svenn
Asplitting headache pounds against my skull.
I look at the girl from afar.
Rhianelle is talking to her war commanders. Her voice is pleasant, sweet with a musical lilt to inspire the elves.
I touch my chest where she had stabbed me with the Rhunhraefn’s shadow spear. The witches had inflicted far worse pain on me. It hurts like hell right now because it’s her.
Why are you lining up with her troops like a loyal dog?the voice asks.
I can’t answer that. This is Rhianelle’s battle plan. She wants me to stay with Red and Eyepatch in the support line. All I know is I do not wish to ruin it. I do not wish to hurt her.
She ripped you into pieces last night,it whispers again, full of hate. The feeling is foreign as it courses through my veins.Perhaps she’ll put a leash on you to make you obedient.
Rhianelle has succeeded where the other curse bearers had failed. She has broken my spirit.
Make her pay for her betrayal with blood.
“No!” I bark to the tendrils of darkness coiling around me. The thought of hurting her punches a hole in my gut. I’d rather tear myself apart before I do that.
Raw panic scrapes in my chest when I see Rhianelle running across the field towards me. “Svenn! There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Rhianelle takes my hand into hers with affection and starts praying in reverence, kissing each one of my knuckles. Every uttered word is melodious, like a long-forgotten song.
“Please be safe.”
Her touch is soothing, gentle. I can feel the shadows in me dissipating with every tender stroke.
Such foul pretense. It’s all fucking lies.
You believed Rhianelle was different.
She’s just like the rest of them.
The girl never intended to break your curse.
She kisses my hand again and maggots sprout on my skin. Thousands of them spread like an infestation, some falling to the ground with a thud.
Damn it all to hell.
