Page 134 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

“The Kroneon helps you travel through time?” Lincoln said, his eyes growing wide from what his brother had just shared. “That’s impossible.”

The prince’s lips drew back in a snarl. “No, it’s not. I need the siren, the key, and the compass to make that happen. And we will have our mother back.”

Lincoln held out his sword, willing to do whatever it took to save the woman he loved. Going back in time, even to save his mother, could not happen. It would change everything.

“Elijah,” Lincoln said. “Don’t do this.”

Ignoring his brother’s plea, the prince continued to walk their way and lifted his hands.

Shit, Lincoln cursed.

“Run!” the captain shouted to his mates. They turned, bolting into the forest, right as black smoke left Elijah’s fingers.

The black cloud rolled through the woods, blanketing everything in its path. The Sybil Curse’s pirates did not stop running, but the smoke was faster; it covered the trail, making it impossible to see.

Lincoln stopped when he could no longer hear his mates running behind him. The sudden shift in the air density felt like poison coming into his lungs—burning. The weirdly dense gas started suffocating him. His own mind drifted into a world his brother had created—a world where he no longer saw reality.

An out-of-place rumble pounded in his ears before falling into pitch-black darkness.

* * *

The queen’s eyes grew wide, stepping back as she peered into the sky.

“No.” Cassia’s voice came out as a quiet whisper.

Nola looked up, watching the black cloud reach them. When the cloud had stopped circling, the two women saw it take the shape of large fingers, thrusting forward and gripping hold of Nola’s waist.

“Nola!” the queen shouted, but she could not breach the power. The black smoke swirled around her faster and faster as if she was in the eye of a tornado. Then, the queen watched the black cloud dissipate, and her niece was gone.

“This cannot be,” the queen said aloud before rushing into the Whispering Woodlands.

* * *

Deep in the woods, Aiden slowly opened his eyes and looked up through the trees. A bunch of twigs and rocks pressed into his back. He sat up, still feeling queasy, and watched the black cloud disappear.

What was that?he asked.

“Aiden, you’re up!” Cassia said, standing close to where he was.

Oh, she is brave to come this close to me after all these years.

The dark-haired elf reached for his sword, lifting it quickly in front of him. The queen stopped right as the sharp end pressed into her chest. She backed up.

“Stop, Aiden!” she said.

“I should kill you now.” His ice-blue eyes burned with rage.

“I know you are not pleased with me—”

“Pleased?” the Elven man repeated. “I have been a prisoner in this—”

Cassia’s hand came up, stopping him abruptly.

“I will free you from this place if you help me.” Her words were quick, hoping the meaning would burn in his mind before he attempted to kill her.

Aiden’s dark, thin brows rose. “Free me?”

The queen nodded. “That power belongs to Prince Elijah. He’s here, and he has taken Seraphina.”

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