“Yeah, so we can bust you out,” Meryn said, pulling her toward the door.
Once inside, memories of all the verbal abuse began. Having to ask for food, for permission to go outside. Every demeaning instance meant to break her.
Seeing herself smile brightly and give them what they wanted infuriated her. “I didn’t want to do what they wanted. I was scared and alone!”
Amelia nodded. “We know.”
Zoe watched as Meryn flipped her desk upside down. “Burn it.”
Amelia sighed. “Really, Meryn?”
“What? That seems to be her forte. Burn this shit to the ground.”
Zoe walked over to the desk that represented endless, mindless days and lifted her power hand. “Inferno.”
The desk exploded in splinters of wood and flame.
Zoe turned back to the two women that had helped her face her own mind. “I’m free.”
“Got that right! Hey, can you blow up the wall too?” Meryn asked.
The moment she began to laugh, the images began to fade, and all too soon, they were back in the queen’s chamber.
Around them, chaos reigned. She turned to Meryn. “Oops?”
Meryn giggled. “That was kickass!
Aiden and Darian were released by Kendrick and Thane and ran over, each scooping up their pregnant mate.
“What did you think you were doing!” Darian demanded.
Amelia flicked his ear. “I know you’re not yelling at me, princess.”
“I swear to the gods. I’m going to put you in one of those damn bubbles Gavriel wants,” Aiden threatened, trying to catch his breath.
Meryn pointed to Ryuu. “Was he freaking out?”
Aiden grunted.
“Then you knew I was fine.”
“Amelia, there was fire everywhere. You have to be burned,” Darian set his mate down to inspect her closely.
Zoe looked around, wondering where her own mate was. He was being healed by Kincaid on the other side of the table. “Gage! I’m sorry, this is my fault!”
Kincaid glared at Gage. “No, it’s his fool-ass fault. He kept reaching into the flames to try and get to you.”
She watched as the blistered skin shrunk down, lightened, and healed.
“Wasn’t the whole room burning?” she asked, looking around.
Everyone was shaking their heads. Thane answered. “The fire was centered on you. At first, we thought Amelia and Meryn were getting burned, but we didn’t see them getting hurt. If you look at the table, the cloth burned, but not the wood.”
Zoe dropped her head back. “Cord is going to ban me from the palace.”
No sooner had she said his name than he appeared with a tray of drinks. “Don’t be silly. Lady Zoe, your espresso.” Smiling, he handed her her drink. “And for the gentlemen, shots of Forbidden Fruit and Blessed Chamomile.” Cord kept smiling until he saw Darian spinning Amelia round. “For goodness sake, Darian, leave the poor girl alone. You’ll make her sick, spinning her like that.” He walked over and handed first Aiden, then Darian their drinks.
Darian sat down and simply pulled Amelia into his lap. “What happened?”