Page 72 of The Sunbound Princess
Dain straightened beside me, his eyes wide and fearful as he gazed up at Viraxes.
“You unbound us,” he said in a harsh rasp. “Not even the elves use the Old Language unless they have to.”
I hadn’t understood Viraxes’s words, but Dain probably did. He’d always loved the old stories of the time before theCovenant. I knew next to nothing about history, but I knew Dain was right. The Old Language was pure magic, and even the elves feared it. Raw, undiluted power could behave in volatile ways. Depending on the speaker’s intentions, even the mildest words could twist into curses.
Viraxes seemed unbothered. “Their debt is paid,” he told Ezabell. Then he raised his voice. “But others must pay their debts, too.”
An elf with long, light brown hair and glittering blue eyes stepped from the shadows.
Ezabell released a choked cry. “Corvus?”
The man who’d usurped Ezabell’s throne strode forward like he expected the room to break into applause. Like most elves, he was tall and handsome, his curtain of hair swaying against a jacket embroidered with golden suns.
Dain got to his feet beside me, his stare leveled on the arrogant-looking elf. He looked ready to relieve the so-called king of a few teeth.
Ezabell looked ready to beat him to it. “First you steal my throne and now you abandon it?” she demanded.
Corvus lifted his chin, his eyes defiant. “I haven’t abandoned anything.”
“King Corvus and I have an arrangement,” Viraxes said smoothly. “He wanted your father’s throne, but he knew he couldn’t get it without the sunstone. The Dokimasi makes that very clear. However, he was reluctant to kill you outright.” Viraxes sighed. “Sentimentality makes fools of men and elves alike, it seems.”
Corvus’s mouth tightened. “It wasn’t sentiment. That damn wisp of sunlight follows her like a shadow. And he’s impossible to kill. He would have told everyone in the kingdom.” Corvus gave Viraxes a pointed look. “If you haven’t found him, you should.”
“The sunsprite will be dealt with,” Viraxes said, irritation flickering across his features.
“You promised you would use her to find the stone,” Corvus said. “Do it, and our bargain will be complete.”
“What bargain?” Ezabell asked.
But I knew. Hatred burned almost as hot as the curse as I looked at the false king. “You struck a coward’s deal. You wanted the throne, so you asked a sorcerer to get you the sunstone. Don’t use Helios as an excuse. You aren’t man enough to kill Ezabell.”
Corvus drew a knife in a blur of speed. “I’ll kill her now,” he growled. “Right after I kill you.”
Viraxes stepped in front of him. “No one needs to die. Not just yet.” He moved toward Ezabell.
Dain and I sprang forward just as bars of light erupted from the floor, forming cylinders around us. We slammed against the bars, both of us crying out as our skin sizzled.
Viraxes seized Ezabell and spun her around. She fought, but he overpowered her, pinning her against him with her back to his chest. Sigils appeared on his neck.
Elfkin.But more than sigils glowed above the collar of his robe. His skin was a tapestry of glyphs and twisting designs. Excitement rasped in his voice as he spoke in Ezabell’s ear. “I knew you would be interesting. Your parents both possessed incredible power. When I heard the rumors about you creating a living being from pure sunlight, I didn’t believe them. Lord Corvus has confirmed the tales are indeed true.”
Corvus made a dismissive sound. “The creature is simple. A pet, nothing more.”
“Careful, Corvus,” Viraxes said. “You sound jealous.”
“I’m not jealous,” Corvus spat. “I don’t want to stay in Andulum a second longer than I have to. Let her lead you to the sunstone, and she can use it to restore the Pyrikion. Herancestor created it. With enough motivation, she can produce the same result. Then I’ll take the sunstone back to Ishulum where it belongs.” He flicked a careless look at Ezabell. “And you can do whatever you like with her.”
Rage seared my gut. I glared at Corvus through the bars of my cage. “You’re not fit to kiss the bottom of her shoe, you filth.”
Viraxes released Ezabell, who darted forward and then whirled on him with furious eyes.
“Touch me again, and I’ll kill you,” she growled.
His eyes danced, and my rage solidified into a knot of ice-cold fear.
“You’ll lead me to the sunstone tomorrow,” he told her. “But tonight, you’re my guest. And I’m going to see what this magic of yours can do.”
He raised a hand, and dozens of robed figures emerged from the shadows.
