Page 72 of Faeling (Monstrous World #4)
The citadel itself looked to be a great peaked cylinder, rising in a spiral to a point.
At the front of the space was a large stained-glass circle above a wide stone dais, with shallow steps leading up to and flanked by ornate marble vases that once held exotic flowers.
The walls had been inlaid with crystals, jewels, colorful glass, and lacquered tesserae, all meant to catch the light in a cacophony of color—yet all sat dully in the stone.
Fluted columns rose high in the air around the perimeter, creating an aisle between them and the rounded walls.
More than one column had toppled, leaving drums of stone littering the floor.
It was near one of these piles of rubble, beneath a rounded niche set into the wall, that Vallek sat.
Ravenna couldn’t help it—her hopes and temper flared, and the thread of their bond snapped taut.
He lifted his head with some effort, eyes hazy. Stripped to just his trou, wicked red lines scored his chest, dribbles of dried blood beneath them. Claw marks.
As the fae forces gathered on the far side of the citadel, the berserkers took their formation. All were too well trained to make a false move now, but she could feel how their attention focused on their king, wounded and chained like a diseased dog.
Oberon moved to stand at their head. From atop his back, Ravenna spotted a strange shadow lurking to the side of the dais. She watched as it tumbled like smoke across the dais, finally gathering form as it touched the light.
Iridescent wings the color of a starry night caught the sun more brilliantly than the stained glass behind her.
As if emerging from a cloud, Amaranthe glided forward, robes of pale blue silk rippling around her lithe limbs.
White hair studded with crystals and delicate chains of diamond hanging between fingers, arms, and neck, she looked like every story of the beautiful, benevolent Fae Queens.
But just as in her city and palace, there was decay.
Folding her hands before her, Amaranthe greeted, “Welcome to Fallorian. It pleases me to see such loyalty for your king.”
As Amaranthe began to float down the dais steps, Ravenna dismounted. Sliding onto the marble floor, she took half a moment to catch her breath.
Steady now, Crow. I’m with you.
Ravenna patted her old friend before turning to face the Fae Queen.
She took a few steps forward, separating herself from the group behind her.
The fae soldiers split fluidly to allow Amaranthe to pass between them, reforming their line once she’d taken the center of the space. Ravenna took a few more reluctant steps forward, not quite meeting her there but enough to show she’d come and fulfilled their bargain.
Dark eyes glittering, Amaranthe smiled. “So you are the one who’s caused me such trouble.”
Ravenna stared at the one who’d murdered her parents in silence. She’d already been stupid—she wouldn’t risk Vallek with tempestuous snipes. It didn’t matter if she bested Amaranthe with words, only with steel.
The Fae Queen began to walk in slow circles around Ravenna, taking her time to assess her.
“You are both more and less than I expected,” mused the queen. She lifted a lock of Ravenna’s hair to rub between finger and thumb. “You have the look of your fae kin, it’s true, but you reek of human.”
Ravenna said nothing, letting her glare be what spoke for her. Amaranthe was a predator who liked to play with their food, and that was all right. She needed to give Allarion’s forces time to spread around the citadel and secure the entrance.
Coming around to stand before her again, Amaranthe’s red lips curved with satisfaction. “I must say, I never imagined it would be as easy as having you walk through my door.”
“I’ve come to take his place, as promised,” was all Ravenna said.
“Don’t.” The voice, weary with exhaustion, echoed across the citadel. “Don’t, sprite.”
Amaranthe turned to regard Vallek, her smile growing, but Ravenna couldn’t bear to look at him. Something fundamental inside her was already cracking; seeing him beseech her not to do this would break her.
Let me, she begged him. Forgive me.
Watching the Fae Queen gloat and smile over her chained azai stoked the fire in Ravenna higher. Vallek was a strong, proud man—he didn’t deserve to be brought so low.
“Killing me won’t change what I’ve seen,” she said, drawing Amaranthe’s attention back to her.
The Fae Queen’s fair brows rose in surprise. “Kill you? My dear girl, I’ve no intention of killing you. To waste a power such as yours—no, no. You will serve me, predict my future.”
“I already have,” Ravenna growled through bared teeth.
“You will see a new vision. A new future.”
“I can’t—”
“You will, ” Amaranthe insisted, raising her arm to gesture at where Vallek sat chained. “Or the consequences will be carved into his flesh.”
“You swore to free him, to take me instead.”
A patronizing smile spread across those ruby red lips. “My dear, I don’t treat with halfling mongrels. Your offer means nothing to me. Besides, you’re here now.”
Ravenna bit down on her hatred and rage, feeding them to the flames. Behind her, the berserkers stirred. They might not have understood all of what was said, but the gesturing at Vallek raised their hackles.
The air grew thick, and Ravenna swore a gentle weight pressed on her shoulder. The hand of destiny guided her now—it was time to take it.
Finally, she allowed her own wicked smile to overtake her face. Amaranthe’s dark gaze snagged on it, the space between her brows twitching.
“What would you say if I told you I’d come to kill you?”
Amaranthe affected a sigh. “I hardly need foresight to know you won’t come quietly. You willful mortals are sadly predictable.”
“What if I said that I hadn’t come alone?”
The Fae Queen maintained her look of boredom, but a flicker of suspicion darkened her gaze. Those fine brows lowered over her eyes, which strayed past Ravenna’.
From somewhere behind her, Allarion shouted, “NOW!”
The call went up—Ravenna charged for Amaranthe, Leita right behind her—the berserkers broke for Vallek—and Allarion’s troops fell into formation to bar the citadel door.
From one moment to the next, the end began.