“Our king would like a word,” he says. “If you come quietly, he promises no harm will come to you.”

“A word? And then what? He’ll let me go?”

The stupid grin slips from his face, and it’s clear he has no idea how to answer that.

“That’s what I thought,” I say as his expression morphs into an ugly scowl.

“You’re surrounded,” he says. “There’s nowhere you can run.”

I scoff. He’s right, but I planned it this way. I just hope I haven’t misjudged everything.

“You have no idea who I am, do you?”

“You’re from Nostraza,” he says. “An escaped lunatic.”

“That’s really what he told you? The magic that destroyed the Crystal Palace was mine. I could kill you all right now.”

I see the falter in his eyes. He didn’t connect that with me. Rion is such a piece of scum—he doesn’t even tell those loyal to him what they’re walking into. I could fry them all where they stand, and he knows it. Anything to get what he wants. But we can both play this game.

“So come and get me,” I taunt. The guard looks to his left and his right, and he must give some kind of secret signal because they all begin to advance. I stand my ground, willing my magic down, though it wants to break free. It senses danger and wants to protect me.

Another step. They’re nearly on me, and I cast my gaze to the sky.

Then, several things happen at once.

A guard reaches out and snatches my wrist on one side while another grabs my arm and bends it so hard that I cry out as my knees buckle. Zerra. Where are you? Another hand grabs my hair and wrenches my head back. I’m met with the first guard’s eyes—they’re triumphant now, a sneer on his face.

“Here she is!” he yells.

Rion appears at the edge of the clearing, one hand fisted in the other like he can’t wait to tenderize me to a pulp. Fear curdles my insides. He takes a slow step, cocking his head and savoring my distress. I’m such an idiot. What have I done?

Black smoky magic spills from his fingertips, surrounding him and then spreading to me like a cloud of toxic dust. My magic drains away, my fingertips dulled from sensation. He stops before me, and the guard pulls my head back further, forcing me to look at him. Rion’s mouth turns down in a mock pout as his finger reaches out to stroke my chin. I try to jerk away from his touch, but I’m held firmly in place.

Then he grips my face in his large hand with such force I whimper.