Page 65 of The Last Aether

The grief and rage that shot through me at seeing King Zephyr stole my breath. As if sensing it, Atlas wove his fingers through mine, squeezing hard. It helped, but not enough. Memories battered at the walls of my mind, trying to break free. I could feel the heat of the fire, the weight of the beam. I struggled to take a full breath.

A faint cool breeze wrapped around me, washing away the worst of my panic. I knew it was Riven. I could smell that crystal clear air that was only him.

“Clearly, she isn’t in control of herself or her gifts. That’s reason enough for expulsion,” King Zephyr said, his eyes narrowing on me.

My hands clenched at my sides, power pulsing beneath my skin. That fire inside me yearned to break free, to inflict on him the pain he had caused me. That need for vengeance burned hot and bright.

Phoenix leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. “He’s like Aiden. He wants your reaction.”

Something about that broke through my rage. I refused to let Zephyr win. Not when he’d already cost me so much.

I let out a slow breath, turning my focus from King Zephyr to Headmaster Acker. “You wanted to see me, sir?”

His lips flickered the barest amount, as if he were holding back a grin. “I understand there was an altercation earlier today.”

“An attack,” King Zephyr corrected.

“He’s right. It was an attack,” I agreed. “Drue and Xena created an elaborate ruse to jump me after classes.”

King Zephyr shot to his feet. “They are students in good standing. They have been for years. If they say you attacked them unprovoked, they’re telling the truth.”

King Terra leaned back in his chair, gaze zeroing in on where Atlas’s and my hands were joined. “Not watching your mate’s back, were you?” He smirked at his son. “You know what can happen if you don’t keep a close eye. These females aren’t faithful.”

A muscle in Atlas’s cheek ticked wildly, but he didn’t say a word.

“I demand justice for the wrong that was perpetrated against my subjects. Aura Coleman must be released from Kingwood immediately and cast out into the human realm.” King Zephyr bellowed the words with such force the teacup on Headmaster Acker’s desk rattled.

There was such rage in him that his entire body vibrated. His gaze narrowed on me, locking in on the burns peeking out from my sleeve. His jaw worked back and forth as he stared at me. There was something else there, lurking just below the surface. But I couldn’t quite grasp it.

Riven took my free hand in his. He stroked my scars with his thumb, a silent reassurance that he was here. That he had my back.

King Zephyr’s jaw dropped. “Riven.”

“Yes, Father?”

“You are promised to Eva. The contract has been signed.”

The tightening of the muscles around Riven’s eyes was the only sign of tension, everything else was that mask I’d always hated. “You know engagements are null and void when a true mate bond is discovered.”

“You would betray her? Betray me?” King Zephyr gritted out.

He didn’t give a damn about Eva. All he cared about was control.

Riven knew as much because he shrugged. “Even you can’t control what the elements want for us. If I go against them, it would be blasphemy. They have blessed me with this bond, and I accept it with my whole heart.”

King Terra snorted. “You teach him to talk like a pansy, Zephyr?”

King Zephyr’s gaze snapped to the other ruler. “Watch how you speak to me.”

The temperature in the room dropped several degrees and it was the first time I got a picture of King Zephyr’s real power. A shiver rocked through me. This man could end us all if he wanted to right now.

The ground beneath the school shook as King Terra stood. “Don’t start with me. You won’t like what happens.”

“Gentlemen,” Headmaster Acker said, standing. “I would like to remind you that this campus is neutral ground. A show of force within its bounds would mean relinquishing your rule, effective immediately.”

The shaking beneath stopped, and King Terra shot the headmaster a grin. “Come on now, Acker. You know we have to show the kids what we’re capable of now and again or they might get ideas in their heads.” He arched a brow at Atlas, his expression going cold.

Headmaster Acker rounded his desk. “That may be, but I think we’ve had enough excitement for one day. I’ll be sure to send you the full report on my investigation into the events of today.”