Page 131 of Throne of Ice and Blood
But his wings flare out, and then we’re flying.
“I need to get you and my clan out,” he says as he banks hard and sets course for the barracks outside the defensive walls on the west side.
“No!” I protest. “Not without Isera and Alistair.”
His gaze burns through my soul as he locks hard eyes on me. “It’s either leave without them or not leave at all.”
“I’m not leaving them!” I growl back at him.
I made them a promise, Goddess damn it. And I intend to keep it. I swore that I would get them out. Alistair is already on the verge of breaking, and Isera is falling deeper into that terrifying coldness with every passing day here. I can’t leave them to this fate. I refuse to.
Draven glares down at me. I glare right back.
“Azaroth’s fucking flame,” he curses. Then he swerves hard, heading towards the doors to the patio outside the ballroom instead.
A jolt shoots through me as Draven lands hard on the ground outside the doors. Through the slight gap in them, the sounds of chatting voices drift out into the night. The people in there have no idea what is happening. No idea that their commander has just betrayed them.
Setting me down on the ground, he leans forward slightly and glances in through the closest window. After a few seconds, he pulls back.
“Bane and Jessina aren’t here,” he says as he turns back to me. “Which means that they are out searching for me. I might be able to buy us some time.”
I nod. “Alright. I’ll get Isera and Alistair out.”
Steel laces his voice as he levels a commanding stare on me and declares, “You have two minutes. Then I will come in there and drag you out myself. Even if I have to kill everyone in the entire ballroom to do it. Isera and Alistair included.”
“Fine,” I snap back.
“Don’t make me regret this.”
Before I can retort, he launches into the air.
Not wasting a second, I run over to the door and slip inside.
The courtiers and the leaders of the other dragon clans are still standing in clusters around the room. But now that the Icehearts are no longer here, the atmosphere is much less tense. Just like before, most people are sipping from glasses filled with alcohol to pass the time.
My heart patters against my ribs as I sweep my gaze over the crowd. Isera and Alistair are still standing in the same spot as before. Close to the raised dais with the two ice thrones. Their heads are bowed and their eyes are on the floor in that submissive way that the Icehearts prefer, which means that they won’t be able to see me.
Worry flits around inside my ribcage like erratic birds.
How the hell am I supposed to sneak the only two fae in here out of an entire ballroom filled with dragon shifters without anyone noticing?
My gaze darts between all the glasses in everyone’s hands.
An idea begins to form.
Thatmight work.
Keeping my head down, so that no one can see my glowing eyes, I summon my magic. I used up a lot of energy during the fight up at the treasury, and my body is also using it to heal the wound in my side. But because Draven cleaned it and stitched it up, it needs less effort to heal properly. And because he gave me food and allowed me to sit and rest while he treated the wound, I have managed to recover most of the energy I lost. It has to be enough.
Sending a desperate prayer to Mabona, I plead silently in my mind.Please let it be enough. Please let this work.
Then I throw my magic across the entire room.
Sparks of intoxication meet me from every chest. Some are tiny. Others are bigger. But everyone in here has at least sipped a little alcohol.
Drawing in a deep breath, I close my eyes briefly to compose myself. Then I shove my magic at everyone in the room.
I have never tried to manipulate this many people at the same time. It has to work. Please, Mabona, it has to work.
