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“I can’t simply turn it off,” Layala said through clenched teeth, but she wished she could, knowing he could sense it and that he triggered it.

Piper didn’t so much as flinch at his arrival but almost looked amused. As if she was going to enjoy Layala’s torture.

“Your magic should always be there, readily available, as much a part of you as your soul. You seem to be able to turn it off, hide it, so you should be able to do the same with your fear or anger or any other emotion.”

Layala met his maroon eyes, and her brows furrowed, even they weren’t as bright as she remembered. There was something wrong with him and knowing that gave her courage. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“No?”

“No.” Shit, they both knew it was a lie. She wasn’t afraid of death, but she did fear the past they shared. Layala turned to Vesstan. “You know for most of my life I relied on weapons to keep myself safe, not magic.”

Hel tucked his hands behind his back and interrupted. “I understand that but that changes today. You have an immense amount of untapped potential that you’re not using.”

Layala kept her gaze fixed on Vesstan. He stroked his long white beard and nodded in approval. “He is correct, Layala. There is no reason to hide your power now. You should be proud of it. You don’t need to lock it away anymore.”

Hel vanished and reappeared behind her, breathing on her neck. “What do I need to do to make you unafraid of me? Of anyone?”

Layala whipped around and stepped back. Her magic flared, warming her skin. He advanced on her and for every step he took, Layala moved back. “Keep still, little rabbit, I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Said the wolf,” Layala challenged.

He let out a dark chuckle. “You’re making this too easy.”

“Layala, you’re allowing him all the control,” Vesstan said in the strongest voice she’d ever heard him use. Her pulse thudded in her throat, but she froze, anchoring her feet in place. Would he trap her again so she couldn’t breathe? Those maroon-red eyes beheld such malice, such hatred that she didn’t want to look into them but the longer she did the more she felt like she couldn’t look away, as if he held her there by magic.

“Get on your knees.” Hel’s command pressed upon her like a weight. Every part of Layala protested but she lowered down to one knee at a time. Her cheeks burned with shame as he smiled down at her. He held out his hand and put it in front of her face. “Kiss the knuckles of your true king, little rabbit.”

Layala’s muscles strained and protested as she fought to stay in place. His dark brow lifted as he waited. Unable to fight the command Layala pressed her lips to his warm skin, and she shuddered, feeling the tingle of his magic on her mouth. Layala’s eyes lifted, and the smug look made her furious.I’m going to snap your neck,she silently vowed.I’m going to destroy your world and everything you care about, Hel.

He pressed his finger under her chin and with barely a nudge she was rising to her feet. “Good girl. Now, remove your clothes.”

Layala felt that power wash over her, and she gulped. Sweat dampened her back almost immediately. This. This was why she feared him. The control he had over her.

“You don’t have to do that,” Vesstan called from the left.

Piper was up on her feet now. “Laya, you’re strong enough to resist. You’re the stubbornest elf I’ve ever met.”

“Take them off,” Hel said again.

Layala’s chest heaved up and down in panicked breaths as her fingers began working at her belt against her will.No no no, she screamed at herself, and she gritted her teeth, and fought with everything she had to stave off that command. Every muscle battled against her but the tingle of Layala’s magic pushed back. Sliding through her veins, across her skin to force Hel’s magic out.

“No,” Layala said and dropped her hands to her sides, balling them into fists.

He grabbed her chin with one hand and squeezed. As he stared at her now, he looked more amused than anything. “Take. Them. Off.”

While touching her, his command was impossible to resist. Tears burned Layala’s eyes as her weapons belt dropped to the ground with a clank. She began to lift her top and it rose above her navel.

“Stop.” His hand dropped to his side, and he shook his head. “Look how vulnerable you are. I could get you to do anything I want. And there are others who would do far worse than me.”

Who would do worse? “I’m trying,” Layala bit out.

“No, you’re not. Because you won’t try to be Valeen.” He crossed his arms. “Who was the first person you ever loved?”

He meant from before, but she wouldn’t give him anything. “My aunt, Evalyn.”

“Wrong.”

“Certainly not you, if that’s what you’re getting at.”