Page 108 of A Cage of Crystal

He closed his eyes, but the closest image he could conjure was the cliff Cora had taken him to. Beneath it, the wildflower meadow stretched out before the Cambron Mountains. If only the flowers were fully purple, then—

“Seven devils,” he said, opening his eyes. “It’s not a place. It’s a sigil.”

The vision came to him now—the silhouette of a mountain over a purple background. The symbol of Khero.

“Yes,” Emylia said. “Because of the words I spoke, Morkai sought to end Cora’s life.”

A spike of rage shot through him, but he was too fatigued to hold on to it. “Morkai didn’t kill her, though. Why? Why did he curse her instead?”

Emylia rubbed her brow. “Mother Goddess, there’s…so much more to tell you, but—” She froze, eyes widening.

“But what?”

She nibbled her lip before answering. “He’s awake.”

Dread filled every inch of Teryn’s ethera. He needed to know the rest of Emylia’s tale. Needed to understand the full truth of Desmond, Morkai, and the prophecy.

But just as badly, he wanted to see how Morkai would react now that Cora had escaped his clutches. What would the sorcerer do now that the marriage alliance—his one link to royal power—was compromised? If Teryn’s body was beginning to shut down, then Morkai was running out of time.

They both were.

“We follow him,” Teryn said, tone resolute, “but as soon as he’s asleep once more, you’re showing me the rest of your memories.”

She gave him a sad smile that almost looked relieved. “And finally my sins will be laid bare.”

43

Cora had no time to feel awed over the sight of the three Elvyn males, for the anger on their faces was second only to the rage in their tones. If that wasn’t enough, she couldfeelit. Their shock, their ire, their…fear. Or was that her own? Before she could so much as gather her bearings, they charged across the meadow. Her gaze fell on the swords they carried at their hips. Though each had a hand resting upon the hilt, none drew their weapons. Even so, Cora found her hands flinching toward her waist, her shoulder, seeking weapons that weren’t there. Only then did she recall what she was wearing—a thin linen shift and velvet robe. She didn’t even have her apron and paring knife.

They were nearly upon her now. With every step they took, they shouted at her in a language she couldn’t understand. The golden-haired Elvyn at the fore of the group lifted a hand, pressing his thumb to the center of his ring finger and turning his wrist slightly.

Cora didn’t know what the gesture meant, but it sparked within her enough urgency to mount Valorre and make an escape.

Only…she found her body frozen.

And it wasn’t fear that stilled her, nor any other internal source.

Instead, an invisible force pinned her arms to her sides. Her gaze narrowed on the golden-haired Elvyn’s hand, still curled in that strange gesture.

Valorre reared back on his hind legs, kicking out with his front hooves, but the same fae male extended his other hand. With the same gesture, he forced Valorre back to all fours. The unicorn bucked and thrashed, but it was no use. It was as if he’d been harnessed by an invisible bridle.

The other two Elvyn flanked the first. The one with umber skin and dark hair stepped forward and spoke in more words Cora couldn’t comprehend. Yet she noted the placating nature of his tone. Unlike the golden-haired fae, whose lips were peeled back in a sneer, blue eyes cast in a glower, or the copper-haired fae who simply looked amused, the dark-haired Elvyn had a much gentler energy. Cora’s panic was almost strong enough to drown out the emotions of the three, but she could still bet which of the fae she’d have the best chance of appealing to.

He spoke again, slower this time.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying,” she said, voice edged with hysteria. She tried to focus on deepening her breaths, on rooting herself to the earth beneath her feet, but that only reminded her that she was in another godsdamnedrealm. Whatever the hell that was supposed to mean. And she was still trapped under the unseen force the golden fae was using.

The dark-haired fae released a sigh and lifted a hand. He crossed two of his fingers and slid them through the air in a horizontal line. “What are you?” he said, and this time Cora could understand him.

“Are you human?” asked the golden fae. His words made sense now too, but she realized they didn’t match the shape of his lips. Perhaps the dark-haired fae had cast a translation enchantment. Was that something the Elvyn could do? All she knew of Elvyn magic was that they utilized what the Forest People had called the Magic of the Sky. Unlike the Faeryn, who revered the earth and lived in harmony with nature, the Elvyn were said to value beauty, art, music, and luxury. She knew the Elvyn specialized in an Art called weaving—the very magic Morkai tried to emulate with his blood tapestries—but she didn’t know what it entailed.

“I’m…I’m human,” she finally managed to say.

The copper-haired Elvyn dipped his chin at her lower body. Now that he was near, she could see an array of bronze freckles dotting his tan skin. “What’s on her arms?”

The golden fae flicked his wrist, and she found her arm thrust suddenly forward. She winced as the invisible force twisted the limb, yanking it at an uncomfortable angle until her inked forearm showed clearly.

“Fanon,” the dark-haired fae said, casting a stern look at the golden fae, “show a little restraint. We don’t know if she’s guilty.”

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