Page 65 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood (Of Fae and Wolf Trilogy #2)

Ember wasn’t here, nor were my parents. Granted, having my parents here was impossible, as they’d passed.

But when I was a little girl, I’d always dreamed of my parents knowing and approving of the man I loved and mated with.

However, not having Ember and the rest of my packmates here to stand beside me and be part of this memory didn’t feel right.

The last memory I had of Ember was of her panicked face when the fae had taken me from Earth.

As if the ground were impacted by my memory, the floor beneath me shook with a hollow, gut-punch thud.

I yelped and stumbled as the palace came alive, moving in an unnatural way.

The huge mirrors rattled in their frames.

Glass bottles in the bathroom clanked and crashed.

The bottle of mead fell from the table and shattered, filling the air with the sweet ripe scent of spiced honey and apricots as the amber liquid poured onto the rug.

The remnants of the meal Vad had brought me and the tray of appetizers Fate had provided fell as well.

The dishes clattered and rolled while a few smashed.

Shrieks from the other contestants came from the hall.

The trio of mirrors rocked forward, and I lunged at them, barely catching them before they fell. Silt and dust rained down from the ceiling as everything continued to rattle. Then, just as fast as it had come, the shaking stopped.

My heart raced as I trembled. There’d been earthquakes in the prison and during the last trial, but this one had lasted longer and been stronger. Whatever was going on, my gut warned me that it was worsening.

Taking deep breaths, I tried to calm my racing heart. I had to focus. The earthquake had stopped, and though Briar wasn’t here now, Vad had promised he’d take me to Earth to visit her soon.

I straightened the mirrors with care and then stepped back just as something damp brushed against my ankle.

I frowned, realizing I had stepped in some of the copper mead that now soaked the floor.

Lifting my skirts, I stepped off the rug and laughed bitterly.

New dress, and it was stained within minutes of me wearing it.

That sounded about right.

I hoped Vad hadn’t gotten injured during the earthquake. I understood him not wanting to see me in the dress prior, but worry nudged at me.

As I stooped to blot the fabric dry with a handkerchief, the smell of lilacs, earth, and roses flashed into the room.

My blood boiled as I spun around and saw gray wisps spiraling around Many-Greats. He wore dark charcoal garments, as if he intended to blend into the shadows.

I straightened and crossed my arms, glaring at him. “Why am I not surprised you’d show up where I’ve been sleeping? Can’t you just portal outside the door and knock like a decent person?”

Many-Greats scowled. “I warned you, young lady. I didn’t want it to come to this, but you have left me with no choice. I told you that you can’t marry him, and the vow he gave me was meant to protect you. I'm doing this for your own good.”

So it was him .

Bastard.

My fists clenched as I stepped toward him. “You’re the one who tried to force Vad to let me g?—”

He twisted his hand, and a shard of silver light pierced me in the throat. A cold paralysis spread over me, and my voice vanished. Icy fear spiked through me. What had he done? My legs locked... and I collapsed.

He caught me before I could fall to the ground and draped me over the ottoman. “I didn’t want to have to do this, but you have to go home to your sister.”

Crossing to the mark Vad had made on the door, Many-Greats smeared the outer rim of the sigil, changing its form.

No!

What is he doing? This can’t be happening!

My mind screamed, and my wolf howled. My eyelids tried to open wider, but they became heavier with each breath. My wolf tried to surge forward, but my vision darkened. Something thick and suffocating wrapped around me as if cutting me off from everything.

Many-Greats moved in front of me. “Why couldn’t you or that fool of a prince just listen? I was clear with you, Briar. You have no concept of what you being with him would do.” He picked me up, his arms shockingly strong. “You’ll thank me when you’re home with Ember.”

The door creaked open, giving me enough of an adrenaline burst to peek.

Let it be Vad, please.

It wasn’t him. Instead, Calla Lily stood in the doorway in a pale pink dress, her leathery pink wings tucked against her back.

Relief surged through me. Surely she had to see that something was wrong. I fought to twitch my fingers or give some sign, but honestly, the sight of a young woman being physically carried off by someone had to raise questions even among the fae.

Calla Lily gasped and covered her mouth. “Oh, no! What’s this?”

“None of your concern. She fell ill. I’m helping her.

” Many-Greats lied as easily as he breathed, despite the sulfur stench hitting me.

“Either fetch a physician or go. I’d recommend the latter.

I hold a position of great authority on the High Aureline Council, and I can assure you my connections are far better than yours. ”

Calla Lily stepped all the way inside and closed the door. A sly smile tugged at her mouth, twisting into something ugly. “Oh, I know exactly who you are, old man, and I’ve got you right where I want you.”

My stomach curdled, and dread spiraled through me. My consciousness hung on by a thread. Many-Greats’ grip on me tightened.

Lifting her chin, Calla Lily laughed low in her throat. Her red-brown eyes gleamed with delight. “Let’s talk about what happens next, shall we? I think it’s safe to say you owe me big now.”