And the men would likely silence her—harshly.
Oh, no. If they tried to hurt her, I wouldn’t be able to control my reaction. Already I could feel the flames teasing my veins where the brute gripped my flesh. “I’ll go,” I said quickly. “I’m ready.”
“Are you?” he asked, giving me a stern shake. “I’m not certain.”
“Please. I’ll go right now.” It grated to say the words, to force the pleading note into my tone, but I had no other alternative. Not until I understood my power. Soon, I promised myself. Soon, I’ll destroy them all.
Yes, Adrik agreed, his hum of approval enough to straighten my spine and force me to meet the gaze of my captor.
“Take me to Necros,” I demanded.
He sighed, releasing me. “Pity. I’d have enjoyed teaching you a lesson.”
I bet, I thought, wanting to melt him alive.
I pressed an affectionate kiss to Zaya’s forehead, attempting to lull her back into a state of rest, and then left with the guards on either side. Their clipped pace and bruising hold on my arms nearly caused me to stumble in my high-heeled shoes.
“Release me,” I ordered as we neared the throne room.
They laughed and threw me in the doorway.
I glowered back at them, livid.
Control your power, Valora, Adrik demanded.
His presence drew my gaze to where he sat in the ornate room’s corner, a look of disinterest on his face. How would you feel to be thrown about like a toy? I asked him, irritated. I could kill everyone in this room right now, but instead he wanted me to repress my power? Fuck you.
Patience, Valora, he whispered. We have to do this right.
And what did that mean, anyway?
I knew he wanted revenge. Understood why. But he wasn’t the one being degraded like some fuck doll.
“Valora,” Necros snapped, his ire sending a chill down my spine.
Adrik wasn’t the only one in the room. His court was present.
Oops.
“Apologies, My Lord.” I curtsied to him before taking my seat.
Gareth captured my gaze below, his hunger a palpable presence that had my heart racing. The eye at the top of his triangle-shaped gaze winked at me as one of his three hands stroked the whip laced through the belt of his trousers.
Hell’s fire, I hope he doesn’t have three… I swallowed, unable to finish.
He doesn’t. Adrik almost sounded amused. It was an emotion we did not share.
I really hope you have a plan, I thought at Adrik. Or that man is going to shred the skin from my body tonight. I’d witnessed it before during a previous punishment. He was just as sick and twisted as Lavios.
Trust me, Adrik murmured.
I nearly replied, I do, but held the words in my heart.
I couldn’t trust anyone except Zaya. My only friend. The one I considered family.
“Now that my queen has finally arrived,” Necros said, his irritation a lash against my spirit.
“Apologies,” I whispered, bowing my head slightly in the manner I knew he preferred.