Page 3 of Hell's Queen

Draco steps back. “The Angel of Death.”

Khazon’s almost black eyes focus on him. Black swirls of magic cover practically all his body. The rage inside has taken him over more than it ever did me. He reaches into the air, calling for his telum, and pulls out the fiery red axe. Within a flash, he’s right in front of Draco.

Draco strikes— his claws like nails, causing Khazon to block his hit. Khazon uses his free hand and punches Draco towards the other side of the room.

The moment it’s clear, I move to Hazen and touch his head. He slowly picks up his head, but I can see blood leaking on his back. “Are you okay?”

His large head nods as he slowly gets on all fours again. I didn’t want him to fight because I didn’t want him to be hurt again. I want him and everyone else to be okay.

I glance around the room, ignoring the beatdown Khazon is giving Draco. My eyes land on him from across the room. He’s on his stomach; cheek pressed to the ground. “Stay here,” I say to Hazen, and before either can object, I move from the ring of fire and run to Jigsaw.

Two hellhounds finally come in, breathing hard. I can tell it’s Khazon’s two hellhounds. They look around, and one rushes to help him with Draco. The other runs to us and lowers his head under Jigsaw, getting the seven-foot man on his back like it was nothing.

My eyes move to Hazen and let the ring of fire down, so they can get out. But my eyes land on the king in the corner, who is by Draco’s and Khazon’s fight.

With stealthy skills, I move toward him, despite warnings from my men. Ozias is thankfully next to him, making sure he isn’t hurt. He looks up at me, jet-black hair fanning over his face. “Are you okay?”

I nod. “You?”

Once he nods, I turn my attention to King Christopher, Ryker’s atar. Father. I just learned that before this. It was the same word Evara used before she killed my dad. Father. He seems shocked more than anything, watching Khazon destroy the castle further.

“King,” I say, grabbing his face. His eyes pry from the fight to look at me.

“You’re just like your father,” he whispers.

“Cool. Let’s go.” My hands grab him under his armpits, and so does Ozias. Although it hurts, I lift him to his feet. Ozias wraps his arm around his shoulders, bending to help him move.

Suddenly, Draco appears right between us, grabbing my throat. With a blink, we are on the bridge of the elven castle, hanging over the rushing water and villages below. He thrusts me over the edge, and my fingers grab his wrist, choking on my words.

“Give me the sword,” he orders.

My brows pull together. I’m dangling over the edge of the bridge, about to be killed, and he’s worried about a fucking sword.

“Edris’s sword. Give me Edris’s sword.”

I choke, kicking the air. Draco glances over at whoever is going to come to my aid before letting me go.

A scream finally escapes my throat as my hands reach out for someone, anything. I don’t even care if I grab Draco by his dusty hair and hang on for dear life, but air fills my hands.

I am going to die the worst way possible, falling to my death.

Something hits my body hard, and my arms wrap around it for dear life. It isn’t the water below where I would be swept away by the current. My fingers touch the skin, and I pull back to see Khazon. His hair is flying all around his face, and his arms are wrapped around my body. My legs wrap around his waist, just below his chestnut brown wings, and my arms are around his neck. His usually olive tan skin is swirling with his demon magic, taking up almost all his body.

His dark eyes glance at me; somehow, they are ten times scarier than Draco’s.

“You saved me….” I whisper. I doubt he can hear me over his wings flapping, but if he did, he says nothing. I swallow, looking down at the bridge. Draco is gone, but everyone else is safe, watching us.

Khazon guides us in that direction before setting me on the ground… with a gentleness I’ve never known his demon form to have. He stands before me, wings spread and staring at me.

“Khaz—” I start, but then he’s gone, taking off into the air and over the village in the faeworld.

Ledger touches my shoulder, making me look over. “He can’t control it. He’ll calm down.”

I know this, but Khazon—though he hated me—came back for me and saved me. It’s one thing to save the king’s palace but another to save me. “Is everyone safe? Are you okay?”

He nods. “I’m healing. Draco and his men left. They probably didn’t expect Khazon to come.”

“They have Ryker and Thorne.” My eyes tear up. The castle is in ruins, crumbling into the water below, and part of me is surprised it’s still standing.

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