Tia and Diana have me in their grip, and apparently they possess the same unnatural strength as their goddess. I fight and struggle against their hold, but I’m like a small child fighting two grown warriors despite being physically larger than all of them.

“Let me go!” I scream. The mirror lies at Zerra’s feet, and I see flashes of Lor, still running. “Lor!”

“Take him away,” Zerra says. “I grow tired of your theatrics, Herric. You may come out when you can behave.”

“Help her!” I roar. “Lor! Lor! I love you!”

But it’s no use. I’m dragged out of the room and returned to my prison yet again.

CHAPTER 24

LOR

SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE OF ALLUVION

Paralyzed, I stand transfixed by the Aurora King’s magic, watching his ribbons of light ripple across the sky.

It’s a message and a warning. I will not escape him again.

I plunge into the trees, running blindly, my arms and face scraped raw by tangles of vines and branches. I feel nothing as blood trickles into my mouth and into my eyes. I wipe it away, and I continue running. My only mission is to get away. Every time I escape, I only make him angrier and angrier.

I understand because that’s how I would feel, and the Aurora King and I have something in common: We’ll stop at nothing to get what we want.

As I weave through the bushes, I keep one ear peeled for sounds of pursuit. I can’t use my magic—at least not the useful and destructive kind—or it will immediately give away my position.

“Zerra,” I whisper. “I have the ark. Find me. Come and get it and return my mate.”

I repeat the words on a loop to give me something to focus on while hoping she finally hears me. Part of me suspects she’s toying with me right now. Some deep premonition tells me she’s enjoying watching me run for my life.

That’s when an idea occurs to me. It’s a risky move and probably the worst plan I’ve ever had, but when have I ever let that stop me?

If Zerra won’t come to me, then I’ll force her out.

I slow to a walk, surveying my surroundings. A distant rustle and crack signal that Rion’s men are nearby. Sounds come from every direction, and it’s clear that without my magic, I can’t outrun them. I can stay hidden for a while, but sooner or later, they will find me. I could blast them away, but more will follow. So many more. I’m vastly outnumbered, and the Aurora King isn’t the kind of man to make the same mistake for a third time.

But I can’t make my plan look too obvious, or they’ll suspect I’m up to something.