It seemed to work, because he released me of his raven-eyed glare and stood, anger pulsating through his body.
As if he had the right to be angry.
He was the one who fed off my powers like a damn incubus, leaving me powerless at birth.
He was the one who wed me just to access those gifts again once they manifested to completion.
He was the one who married me over a lie—to save a kingdom to which I owed no hint of gratitude to.
Calm down, Valora, Adrik demanded. Your power is brightening your gaze.
I narrowed said gaze at him. Calm down? To what purpose? I thought back at him.
You’re not ready yet, he reminded me.
I nearly growled. As much as I adored the new power humming through my veins, I couldn’t control it. And right now, I desired nothing more than to burn this audacious room to the ground.
Do I have enough power for that yet? I mused.
No, Adrik replied. Not yet.
Whether he meant to not yet try or that I didn’t yet possess the power, I wasn’t sure. We were supposed to start sparring and practicing my control soon. I supposed I could endure a few more days of this life. I’d survived the last twenty-one years, after all.
“We have a traitor in our midst,” Necros announced, causing my lips to part and a gasp to fall of its own accord.
Oh, sh—
Breathe, Valora, Adrik urged, the words sounding as if he’d forced them between clenched teeth.
I ignored him.
A deep pit of terror crawled over my insides, unleashing a fire through my veins born of the urgent need to protect myself.
He knows.
“Traitor?” I repeated, goose bumps pebbling across the surface of my skin.
Necros ignored me, his focus on Gareth. “Seize him.”
The guards were on him in an instant, divesting the three-eyed demon of his weapons in a swift move before throwing him to the floor below the thrones. A spear pointed hard into his back, another at his head.
“N-Necros?” the shocked demon spluttered.
“Murderer,” my husband spat, his voice low and menacing. “You will address me as My Lord.”
“M-my Lord,” Gareth whispered. “What am I accused of doing?”
Oh, no…
Just breathe, Valora, Adrik echoed.
Necros stalked down the steps and stepped on Gareth’s hand. Bones shifted and cracked as he repositioned the weight of his leather shoe, causing the demon to roar in pain.
“I know you and Lavios had your differences,” Necros said conversationally. “But I never expected such treachery among my ranks. Not from those I consider my most loyal.” He slammed his boot down on another of Gareth’s hands, causing me to flinch at the harsh cacophony of snapping bones.
Valora. Adrik’s voice was an unwanted stroke against my senses. Don’t watch.
My gaze flicked to Adrik’s bored expression. He had a knife in his hand and was using it to clean his nails. The picture of nonchalance as Gareth’s screams rent the air.