Page 72 of The Powerless Witch

Witches.

I couldn’t tell how many of them were or how much freedom the Queen Mother had given them—not without drawing more of my power—but I knew one thing for certain. They were here for me, just not tohelpme.

Malakai’s hand tightened around my arm just as I reached for my magic.

“No.” The warning in his voice was unmistakable, but I was unsure if it was meant for me or Mariam. When I looked at him, he shook his head. “Celeste is not going anywhere with you.”

Mariam studied him from head to toe, her expression turning sour. Sighing with exasperation, she dragged her gaze to where Amantha stood.

“I’m afraid that creates a bit of a problem, Your Highness,” the witch said. “Because, you see, your sister also struck a bargain. Celeste in return for the lives of everyone here. And peace, of course.” Mariam raised her hands, motioning toward all the Fae that stared at him, at us, waiting to see what was going to happen. “So what is more important to you, Prince? Your people or her?”

Chapter 32

Malakai

“Stand down, Malakai,” my mother said in a low, painfully controlled voice. “Do not make this our fight. Let her go.”

Her eyes lowered to Celeste, and I realized I was still squeezing her arm. I couldn’t remember when I grabbed her or when my grip tightened so much. She stood perfectly still despite her heartbeat drumming wildly under my fingers, and to my surprise, she didn’t reach for her magic. Not after I told her to stop.

As if hearing my thoughts, she looked up at me, those big eyes full of trust and understanding. My heart ached as I watched her smile and whisper, “It will be fine. Let go.”

But I didn’t let go. I didn’t want to. This wasn’t right.

She hadn’t hurt a single person here; she hadn’t threatened or insulted even my sister, who had all but broken her body. Even now, she was trying to avoid an altercation, although she couldn’t possibly know what awaited her beyond the grove. With her magic ready to erupt, she could probably handle a few witches herself, but what if there were more? What if she burned herself out while trying to evade them?

No. It had taken her so much to trust me that I would protect her. I wasn’t letting her go.

Itore my eyes away from Celeste, locking them on my family instead.

“The witches have no authority here,” I said, meeting each of their eyes. Begging them to change their mind, pleading to stand proud instead of lowering themselves to accept bargains that won us nothing. “This grove belongs to the Fae and the peace within it is forged and broken by us alone. I will not allow a witch, nor any other creature, to give us orders in our own home.” I pulled Celeste closer, wrapping an arm around her so the message to them was clear enough. “You will not be hurting my people. Celeste included. Try, and I will destroy you.”

Mariam’s smile dropped. She looked at Amantha again, then her eyes settled on my mother who took a step forward. Her skirts swirled around her legs as she rose to her full height, pointing a finger toward me.

“One more word out of you and I will banish you to—” she started with that tone of hers that had berated me so many times in the past. The words washed past me, leaving no stinging wound. Instead, I reached for the earth’s magic and a vine shot from the altar behind her, wrapping around her wrist and forcing her hand down. She gaped with shock before looking back at me.

“You will not threaten me again, Mother,” I said, surprised by the sharpness in my voice. “Nor will you make our people puppets to others. Not while I’m here.”

My mother opened her mouth, but it was my sister’s laugh that broke the stunned silence.

“Here he is!” she sneered. “All your claims that you don’t want the throne…they were never true, were they? You played us for fools, watching us make plans for the future while you bid your time! So what now,brother? Are you going to kill us both to get us out of your way?”

The vine released my mother while my sister stood between us, hands trembling from the way she squeezed them into fists. Frustration filled my chest, threatening another outburst that I was sure would cause even more harm.

“I never wanted the damn throne!” I said for what felt like the millionth time. “All I ever wanted was for the people I love to be happy and safe. I don’t want the crown, I don’t want the destiny all of you tried to push onto my shoulders. All I want is peace. But if taking that power to ensure my people remain unharmed is what it takes, I will do it. So don’t force my hand, Amantha. Send the witches away. Take your throne and rule our people well. That’s all I ask.”

My sister’s hands unfisted, but I couldn’t tell if she was preparing to fold or lash out at me. My grip around Celeste tightened, and I prepared to push her behind me in case my sister attacked.

“Enough already!” the dark-haired witch groaned, her power flaring around her like a blinding halo. I reacted on instinct, calling on the forest to move. Branches shot forward, intertwining in front of us just in time to block the spell. The trees screeched in my mind as they snapped, fire devouring them instantly, but they held on until I drew more magic from the earth.

Screams filled my ears while my people fled from the fire that spread, devouring everything in its wake. I guided the air to smother the flames until only smoke remained between us and the witch. When that cleared, I noticed she was no longer standing alone—the others with her were moving to surround us.

Celeste wiggled out of my arms, but to my relief, she didn’t try to approach them. Her fingers twitched as if she was itching to reach for the power inside of her, but she resisted still.

“We can take them,” she said quietly as two of the witches stalked behind us. She moved with them, keeping them within her sight until her back was pressed against mine. “I can watch your back and—”

“Stand down.” I shook my head. “I will take care of this.”

“Can you?”

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