Page 41 of Kissed By the Sun
The spider hissed something in her ear and the wolf woman’s eyes went wide.
"Please," rasped the rabbit, her voice thin with thirst and desperation. "Help us."
I glanced at Senara's unconscious form, torn. I had to get her out of here, but I couldn't carry her and fight at the same time. Not against the numbers that surely awaited us.
I looked over the demihumans, a plan taking shape. "She’s my mate,” I said carefully, hoping that I was using words they understood. The wolf’s eyes went wide and I knew she at least now understood what Senara meant to me. “I'll free you all," I said, my voice rough with barely leashed fury, "but I need your help. Keep her safe, and I'll get you out of this palace. All of you."
Hope kindled in their eyes, bright and fierce. The spider woman nodded. "We will guard her with our lives."
I didn't hesitate. I wrapped my hands around the lock on the cell bars and let some of my rage slip forth in the form of fire, melting the metal in my hands. It was satisfying, but not enough, as the fire wanted to flame out of me even more to take revenge on our enemies. To my surprise it was the spider that used her other legs to gently scoop Senara up, holding her protectively while still leaving her hands free to fight if she needed to. As they exited the cell, the wolf gave the melted lock a glance before meeting my gaze and giving me a nod of respect. I met the rabbit’s and spider’s gazes in turn.
"Stay close and stay quiet. We're not out of this yet," I murmured to them as we began to head back up the stairs.
No, not by a long shot. But now, at least, I wasn't alone. Clutching my bloodied dagger in one hand and a sword I’d taken from the corpse of a guard I downed in the other, I led my unlikely band of allies out into the waiting shadows, toward the promise of freedom...or a final stand.
Chapter
Twenty
Thorn
The metallic stenchof blood clung to my nostrils as we approached the ornate doors of the throne room. Lifeless elven bodies littered the corridor behind us, their vacant eyes a stark reminder of the carnage we'd left in our wake. I glanced over at Senara's limp form, her head lolling against Zhan’s shoulder.
"We're almost there," I murmured, more to myself than to her unconscious form. The fact that she hadn't stirred since I'd found her gnawed at my insides, a constant worry that threatened to overwhelm me.
Kaelia, the wolf woman, growled low in her throat. "This place reeks of death and deceit."
I nodded grimly. "Stay alert. We can’t know for sure what awaits us beyond these doors."
The rabbit woman, Lyra, twitched her ears nervously as she whispered, "Do you think Echo kept his word?"
"We'll find out soon enough," I replied, steeling myself for whatever lay ahead. I had briefed them on what had happened without getting into too many specifics while we were on the wayto the throne room. It seemed only fair for them to know who and what they were fighting for.
As we approached the massive doors, I couldn't help but marvel at their intricate carvings, depicting scenes of elven glory. Somehow I hadn’t noticed the first time we’d been escorted to the throne room. Looking at them now it seemed a cruel irony, given the trail of destruction we'd carved through their ranks.
“Zhan, stay at the back, away from the doors and protect Senara,” I said, reaching over and brushing a dirty lock of hair away from Senara’s face.
Zhan nodded, the pointy black legs that sprouted from her back clutched Senara a little closer while her fangs, or whatever they were called, twitched with anticipation.
"Ready?" I asked, glancing at my companions.
They nodded, determination etched on their faces. With a deep breath, I shook myself and stepped forward, kiching open the doors, the wood creaking ominously, echoing through the cavernous space beyond.
As we entered, my eyes darted around, taking in the opulent throne room once more. The high, vaulted ceilings and gleaming marble floors still gave that same feeling of wealth and power, but it was the figures at the far end that held my attention.
My heart raced as I scanned the room for potential threats, all too aware of Senara's vulnerability in Zhan’s arms. Why hasn't she woken? The thought plagued me, a constant undercurrent of fear beneath the adrenaline surging through my veins.
As we drew closer to the throne, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were walking into the dragon's den. But there was no turning back now. For Senara, for our people, we had to see this through to the bitter end.
The High Lord's eyes narrowed as we approached, his lip curling in disgust. "Guards!" he barked, his voice reverberating off the polished walls. "Execute them all, except the unconscious girl."
My muscles tensed, ready for battle, but the expected onslaught never came. The guards remained motionless, their expressions unreadable beneath their gleaming helmets.
"I said execute them!" the High Lord roared, his face flushing with rage.
The silence stretched, thick and heavy. I glanced at Echo, noting the slight smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. What game was he playing?
"I'm afraid that won't be happening, father," Echo said, his voice smooth as silk. "You see, the guards are loyal to me now. They no longer answer to you...or should I say, they no longer answer to this High Lord." He approached the throne, but stood beside it, waiting.
