Page 189 of Death of a Mortal

“Quiet, mortal. You’re all pawns in my game. You all have purposes to serve. Just be patient, you’ll see in due time.”

Drayce squeezed my hand. I had doubted she was going to let us leave alive, but she had plans that we knew nothing about. Assurances. She wanted us alive for a purpose… I felt like we’d lost already, that there was a war coming, and we were already losing it.

“Leave my castle now! I have some remodeling to do,” she barked.

The traitor Sevrin remained with the queen, a satisfied smile upon his face as we all stood and walked to the barricaded doors, where Bramick removed his earth magic and unblocked the way. She had us all under her mind control, but I just let it happen. I had nothing left in me to fight or care.

It had been over before we even knew what game we were playing.

In silence, our group of six walked through the castle, passing no one. Drayce’s hand clutched mine, Bramick carried Aerie, and Bernitha cried as she walked, bleeding and limping—I thought she might have been close with Elene.

And then Kellan. He seemed as if he were still trying to fight her umbra magic. The rest of us looked destroyed, but his face was twisted in a sneer, hands balled and rage burning in his eyes.

We’d barely survived, Elenehadn’tsurvived, and we had accomplished nothing.

In fact, in many ways, it felt as if we’d made the situation worse. We’d set Malvina’s plans in motion as soon as we walked into the throne room. Likely before that, even.

We’d nearly reached the castle walls before I turned around, feeling Malvina’s eyes on me.

There she was, standing on that damned balcony where I’d given my speech, where she’d watched my trial from above.

More than the fury, I felt defeat. Utter, total defeat. My shadows were silent.

Chapter 43

The Black Flame

It wasn’t untilwe crossed out of the castle’s wards that everyone regained speech. Apparently, Malvina’s mind control worked at a pretty long distance.

Aerie was the first to speak. “Naci…”

Bramick set her on her feet, where she held one crooked foot above the ground, holding Bramick’s arm for balance. The broken ankle made my stomach queasy.

I looked at her tear-streaked face, then to the bundle of black and gold feathers cradled in one arm.

Noxie.

My heart was going to give out. He couldn’t be…

“I think he’s alive, but barely. I’m so sorry, I didn’t see what happened.”

“It was the mage,” Bernitha said, sniffling. “I saw her attack him, and he fell to the floor.”

I couldn’t lose him. I’d be lost entirely without him. He’d been the only constant in my life since we first met in the forest.

“Noxie!” I screamed through our bond. I refused to let him go.

With a jolt, he perked up, feathers ruffled and bent in all directions.

“Jeez, did you have to scream at me? Nearly gave me a heart attack.”

Everyone, including me, smiled as Aerie tried to smooth down some of his feathers.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. What did I miss?” he asked timidly, tentatively, fear of what I would say apparent. His voice was weak, but gods, it was so good to hear.

I looked around at our bedraggled remaining team.

“Caedryn is dead, but we lost. Malvina, she…she’s the real monster, and she rules Ashenholt now. She killed him. And…I can’t talk about the rest yet. There’s just too much. But for now, we’re going home.”