Page 142 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)

Chapter Ninety-Seven

Marietta

O ne moment, Marietta watched the sea of people riot outside the gates.

The next, Queen Valeriya had grabbed her and turned her away from the crowd.

There was an impact, the shock of electrical energy, and the heaviness of the Queen collapsing against her.

She turned to see her face down with blood beginning to pool around her, the crackling energy seizing her form.

Then someone jumped on top of her, pinning her to the ground.

Through her screaming, Wyltam’s voice broke through. He cupped her face as a translucent dome formed around them. “Marietta!” he yelled, pulling her attention. “Marietta, are you hurt?” His dark eyes were frantic as he searched her body for an injury.

Outside the palace walls, screams of terror erupted, muffled by the surrounding dome.

“Marietta, please focus,” pleaded the King. He brushed back her hair with shaking hands.

Instead, she jerked her head towards Valeriya.

She could do something—Marietta could help, but only if she hurried.

She scrambled to Valeriya, calling forth Therypon’s energy, the warmth growing at her fingertips.

With a sobbing cry, she lay her hands on Valeriya.

The bleeding slowed, yet she didn’t stir.

Gods, Therypon, help her. Help her save the Queen.

Marietta screamed as she pulled the energy from under her skin, as she pulled it from around her body.

There was a rush of power that bucked against her control, but obeyed her will as she laid her hands on Valeriya.

Blinding light emitted from her fingertips, her vision seeing nothing but the shadowed outline of the Queen.

She trembled with the effort, crying as her skin felt flayed from her body.

Marietta forced herself to accept the energy—to expel it into Valeriya.

The light shot outward and behind her, the King crying out.

Blackness ebbed the edges of Marietta’s vision, but she continued to flood Therypon’s healing into her. It wasn’t too late—she could save her. Valeriya could live.

Sharp metal bit her arm and the energy she pulled suddenly stopped filling her. Exhaustion seized her mind as the last of the power depleted. Through her haze, she saw Keyain as she slumped backward.

King Wyltam appeared before her, eyes wide in awe as he cupped her face. “What are you?” he whispered.

And then there was nothing.