Page 86 of The Curse of Golden Blood
The guard closed the door again, and I could hear him talking to someone else. A few moments later, the door swung open again, and I was ushered inside.
The throne room was vast, bigger than any I'd ever seen before. Pillars lined the walls, each one carved with intricate scenes from faerie history. At the far end, a dais rose up, and atop it sat the throne. It was made of black marble shot with veins of silver and inlaid with rubies that glimmered in the light of the torches lining the walls.
On the throne sat Zydar, looking every inch the powerful ruler he was. He wore a crown of dark iron set with blood red jewels, and his eyes were like two chips of obsidian, cold and hard. When he saw me, his expression hardened even more.
"You should not be here," he said, his voice deep and resonant.
"I need to speak with you," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's important."
He waved at the guards. "Leave us."
They bowed and exited the room. I took a few steps forward, stopping at the foot of the dais. "My blood," I began, "is it dangerous? Does it work some ill upon those who receive it?"
Zydar leaned back in his throne, steepling his fingers together. "You’ve been eavesdropping. What have you heard, then?" he asked.
"Whispers. Rumors." I took a deep breath. "My blood brings about a transformation in the patients. A change in their very shape."
His eyes narrowed. "And what do you think of these rumors?"
"I don't know what to think," I admitted. "Never have I heard of such a thing. Yet I know there's truth in those words."
"Why?"
"Because I can feel it." I placed a hand on my chest. "In here. Like something's growing inside me."
He regarded me silently for a long moment. Then he stood and descended the steps of the dais until he stood before me. "You are not wrong," he said softly. " Your blood is changing those who receive it."
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "What kind of change?"
"A terrible one." He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my face. "A monstrous one."
I shivered at his touch. "What happened yesterday, Zydar?" The question was almost a whisper.
He stepped back, his gaze growing distant. "Last night, a patient... changed. Her bones broke and reformed. Her eyes turned black as ink. Her skin became stone. She killed two fae before I could subdue her."
I gasped. "How is that possible?"
"We don't know," he replied grimly. "But it seems that your blood has awakened something in her. Something ancient and powerful. Something that should have stayed buried."
I swallowed hard. "And the other patients? Are they all afflicted in the same way?"
"No. Only one. But it's enough." He sighed. "Your blood is no longer safe to use. I have commanded that it be destroyed."
"What?! You cannot do this!" I said, taking a step forward. "That blood could save lives!"
He looked down at me, his eyes dark and unreadable. "It could also destroy them." He shook his head.
"But..." I trailed off, not knowing what else to say.
"Your aid is no longer required," he said coldly. "You may withdraw to your quarters."
I stared at him in disbelief. After everything I'd done, after everything I'd given up, he was just going to throw me away? Like I was nothing?
I opened my mouth to protest, but he silenced me with a look. "This matter is not up for debate," he said firmly. "Leave."
I clenched my fists, fury rising in me like a tidal wave. How dare he? Who did he think he was? He may be the Prince of Thunder, but that didn't give him the right to treat me like this. To treat anyone like this.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. It wouldn't do any good to lose my temper. Not here. Not now. I had to stay focused. I had to remember why I was doing this. For Pel, for my sister, for everyone who had ever suffered under the yoke of the Fae. I had to be strong. I had to be brave.
