Page 116 of A Clash of Stars

“Excuse me, ma’am. You can’t come through here. It’s off limits.” One of the guards called out.

I responded as cool as a cucumber, ensuring that Griffin was still hidden. “I’m just passing through. No harm done.”

The shorter guard started his walk toward me with more determination.

“He said it is off limits. No matter—”

That’s when he realized who I was and nervously glanced back at the taller guard. He descended from the tower as Griffin clung tightly to the horse’s hind.

“Ma’am, you need to come with us. Please dismount your horse.”

I tilted my head at the guard speaking to me and turned my gaze to the other one that had just approached.

“No. I won’t be doing that, gentlemen.”

Both guards withdrew their swords, and I raised my hand toward them. Power emerged from me, showing them a slight white glow from my palms.

“If you know what’s best for you, you will back away and let me pass.” They started a slow approach toward me.

“We have been given strict instructions that we are to take you to the King of Aster if we find you. It’s our heads if we don’t.”

“That’s a shame.”

Then I threw my power into the ground at the guard’s feet causing it to split between them, they both fell to the ground, and I hopped off the horse, still holding my power firmly. I started to stroll toward them, and I could sense their fear.

Good.

“I’ll give you one last chance…”

This time I projected my power through my eyes. I could feel my eyes glowing, and the power radiated through me, giving me a seductive feeling of pure power and control.

“Let me pass, don’t say anything about seeing me, and you’ll live.”

They both were stunned, and their eyes widened. Looking at each other, they placed their swords on the ground and kneeled before me.

The guard that approached me first spoke, “We won’t say anything about seeing you, but others in this land won’t be affected by you like we are.”

I found that humorous, and I continued my walk toward them. I stood directly in front of the guards dressed in black guard uniforms with metallic stripes along the arms, with both on their knees in front of me, looking up with complete despair.

I squatted down to get eye-to-eye with them.

“I need your help, you see. Both my parents were killed…” partial lie, but we’ll see where this goes. “Which means you’ll need to address me appropriately. It should be Queen Clara—and what you will do for me is very simple.”

I quickly stood, shoving my sword into the chest of the guard who saw me when I first approached. As I yanked the sword back out and as he fell to the ground, I slashed my sword, cutting flesh and bone as I decapitated him.

The other guard stared straight ahead with blood splatter on his face, not wanting to make eye contact with me and for a good reason. I pushed my power into the still-alive guard as roots rumbled from the ground, wrapping around his legs and arms as I lifted him to look at me directly in my eyes.

“You will take this guard’s head to the King and tell him I’m coming.” I leaned in, whispering in the guard’s ear, barely touching his blood-spattered skin. “And tell him he’s next.”

I released the power, causing the roots to drop him to the ground. I slowly walked to mount my horse and ensured that Griffin stayed hidden as we trotted away from the guard stand until we were far enough away for Griffin to join me on the horse.

“Damn, Clara.”

I looked at him as he shoved his leg over the horse and mounted it behind me. Evander would kill him if he knew how we were riding thishorse.

“What?” I questioned him, but I smiled, knowing exactly what he was thinking.

“That was super-hot. When you cut his head off, it turned me on.”

---