Page 82 of Queen’s Gambit

Niersen sneered. ‘He can’t order me around. This is my castle!’

‘Maybe it was. Now you’re a dog on a Tangrian leash, just as I am. And for what? A kingdom? Do you think there’ll be anything left to rule?’ I dismissed him with a shrug.

Darkness spread over the Light Fae’s irises, corrupted Aether rolling off him in angry waves. I could sense it, just as I sensed the foulness of the human bone he’d carved into a key.

Niersen Ordo’lan deserved his fate, and when his reckoning came, I promised to stand aside and let it happen.

Still, I’d given him too much of my attention. I turned and headed straight for Irsha. My teeth clenched at the full extent of his injuries.

He was covered in bruises, but fewer than I expected. The stab wound on his thigh was no longer bleeding, making it easier to heal. I wished I had my herbs and poisons. I was happy to risk my imperfect magic on the Prefect, but not in the presence of corrupted Aether.

I’d created enough monsters as it was.

‘Sit down,’ I said, tugging his hand to lead him to the bed. ‘Let me tend to your wounds.’

‘He’ll move when I tell him to.’ Niersen stepped in front of me. ‘Ask me nicely, and you can play with my little puppet.’

I slapped him.

The sound was so loud it startled us both. I didn’t back down; I couldn’t. Niersen held his reddening cheek as his magic slammed into me, pressing on my mental shields with such force blood burst from my nose.

We weren’t in his bedroom anymore, and he didn’t have the element of surprise. My barrier was already in place, preventing a single tendril from slipping in.

I laughed. I looked him in the eye and laughed through the pain of his relentless assault.

‘Is that all you’ve got? Maybe Siras should allow Tivala to show his son’s lover what real pain is.’

Niersen drew a dagger and lunged at me. The tip scored my arm as I dodged and slammed my elbow into his ribcage.

‘Aww, does attacking two minds make you slow?’ I stepped closer to the Herald. He held his side, fighting for breath.

‘I don’t need a blade for you,’ he said, but failed to hide his trembling hand.

I wiped the blood from my nose and smeared it across his pristine white shirt.

‘You’re a pathetic little shit. The only reason your attack worked last time is because you ambushed us. Now get out of my way, or I’ll tell Siras you tried to kill me. Then you can explain why I’ll no longer help him.’

I spat in his face. He flinched, looked behind him, panic flashing in his eyes, then moved so fast the blade was at my neck before I could react.

I tilted my head to look at him. ‘Seriously? And what will you tell the Prefect? That the champion of the arena slipped and accidentally stabbed an unarmed mage? I bet Siras wouldn’t leave enough of you to bury.’

‘You’re a fucking viper,’ Niersen jeered, falling back when I pressed closer and let the tip of the dagger cut into my skin.

‘And just as deadly.’ I smirked at his expression before my jaw tightened. ‘Your only power, your safety, is tied to Irsha’s life. Don’t hurt the only man who stands between you and destruction. Now, give him back his mind. I need to talk.’

I was attacking without knowing where my blows would land. Niersen and the Tangrian despised each other, but their futures were tied to the pillars and the Gate. My arrival and Siras’ change of heart created a friction I needed to exploit.

Niersen’s gaze drifted to Blade, who stood as still as a statue. My breath caught, muscles tense, as I prayed I hadn’t pushed too hard. That Niersen wouldn’t use Irsha to punish me.

The sour stench of sweat permeated the air as large droplets beaded on the Herald’s pale face.

‘Do it!’ I snapped.

‘Sana…’ Irsha croaked. His voice was so raw I could only imagine what he’d suffered through.

‘Fine, just remember this filth is untrained in mental barriers. One wrong move and I’ll turn his mind to mush,’ Niersen ground out, stepping back while trying to wipe away the stains on his shirt.

‘Oh, fuck off,’ I answered without looking at him. He could go and rot, for all I cared. I turned to Irsha. ‘Shh, Blade. Let me heal you. If I’m right, we’ll have time to tinker with things on the road. So, save some strength for later.’