Page 19 of Frozen Star (Star Touched: Fae Bound #7)

The Winter Court army moves like a tide of steel and frost, surging toward the Night Court’s palace. Riven and I lead the charge, Ghost and Nebula’s powerful strides eating up the ground between us and our destination.

The palace’s dark spires twist against the morning sky like claws reaching for heaven. But it’s the moat that makes my breath catch.

The smell hits me first, a metallic, unmistakable scent that makes my fangs ache inside my gums. Because the moat is filled with blood. Watered-down blood, as if the night fae are paying homage to both their vampire and fae sides, but blood, nonetheless.

As Riven and I thunder across the bridge, I catch sight of our reflection in the scarlet mirror below. Two figures on their feline familiars, weapons gleaming, faces spattered with enemy blood.

Realization settles in me like a stone. Because this is who we are now. Warriors who wear death like armor. Monsters who carve paths through frozen battlefields and leave graveyards in our wake.

“Sapphire,” Riven calls out, his voice cutting through my spiraling thoughts. “Stay focused.”

I tear my gaze from my bloody reflection and grip the Star Disc tighter. Because he’s right. There will be time for self-reflection later. Right now, I’m doing what Celeste chose me to do, and I will not fail.

“Now.” Riven’s eyes meet mine, his magic swirling around him in a mix of ice, water, and air.

With a nod of understanding that echoes through the bond, I call upon my magic. Water roars to life, ice crystallizes in the air, and wind whips around me like a storm.

Together, Riven and I unleash our powers, and the palace gates explode inward.

Night fae guards rush to meet us, their wings spread wide, wind rushing around them as they form defensive formations. But they don’t stand a chance. Because the Star Disc is in my hand, its magic thrumming through me, ready to destroy anything in its path.

When I throw it, the Disc cuts through the night fae like paper, leaving trails of starlight in its wake. Riven’s blade carves deadly arcs through the air, scalding water spreading from each strike to burn his enemies before they can even scream.

The night fae are overwhelmed by the winter army, and before long, all of them are dead.

We push through the palace doors and storm through corridors lined with obsidian and shadow, below the chandeliers floating overhead, our army flowing behind us like an unstoppable force of nature.

Any night fae who tries to stand against us falls within seconds, their luxury-softened hearts no match for winter warriors trained in combat.

Thanks to Riven’s meticulous interrogation of Zythara in the cave, he knows the layout of the palace. He glances at me once, nodding toward the grand doors at the end of the hall, slabs of black stone carved with intricate patterns that seem to writhe in the candlelight.

The throne room.

Together, we blast through the doors with a surge of ice, water, and wind that sends chunks of stone flying.

A few knights trail behind us, but most of the others are already making their way through the palace halls, taking down any attackers before they can gather enough numbers to launch a coordinated attack.

Inside the throne room, four figures wait on the dais.

I recognize each of them from Zythara’s descriptions.

King Thanatos sits on his throne, his midnight eyes blazing with fury and something that might be fear.

Queen Ravenna stands beside him with regal composure, frost patterns racing along her skin.

Prince Malakai crouches like a predator ready to spring, his wings twitching with barely contained violence.

As for Princess Mirena... she simply watches us with calculating eyes, her posture poised but not aggressive.

“It’s over,” Riven announces, his voice colder than winter, his sword gleaming in his grip. “Your warriors are defeated, and your strongholds are overrun. You rule nothing now but death and memories. Kneel and live, or resist and die.”

Thanatos raises his chin. “And who, may I ask, are you?” he says to Riven, although his bottomless midnight gaze is focused on me.

“Prince Riven Draevor of the Winter Court,” Riven says haughtily, that familiar smirk crossing his lips. “Although, I’m surprised you had to ask—my reputation usually precedes me.”

The Night King doesn’t bother with a reply. He’s far too focused on me, his gaze sending a racing chill to my heart. Every nerve in my body crackles in warning, the Star Disc buzzing with magic, until it’s glowing with light that shines throughout the room.

I step forward, fury surging through me as I stare down the king who murdered Matt.

A sinister smile twists his lips, recognition sparking behind his cruel gaze.

“You look so much like her,” he sneers. “The Summer Queen. Lysandra. But you’re more than her.

So, so much more. More beautiful. More powerful.

Which would make you that much more enjoyable to unravel…

just like how I unraveled your little human friend. ”

My heart stops.

“Zoey,” I growl, seeing red as I rush toward him, the rest of the world disappearing around me until I stop in front of him. “What did you do to Zoey?”

Thanatos chuckles, his eyes gleaming with malicious hunger.

“Ah, Zoey,” he drawls, savoring her name like it’s a fine wine.

“Her spirit was deliciously defiant. Perfect for breaking.” He smirks, leaning forward on his throne, frost climbing across his fingers.

“But Aerix developed quite the attachment to her, and he claimed her for himself.”

Aerix.

I know the name from what Matt told me at Circe’s island, when he spoke to me from the beyond. The Night Prince who put Zoey under his spell, who she believes she’s in love with.

I grit my teeth, forcing the Star Disc to remain steady in my shaking grip. “Where is she?”

He laughs, a low, sinister sound that reverberates off the cold marble walls. “Your precious Zoey was taken to the human wing, where all the royal pets are kept.”

Pets.

The word sends another rush of rage through me. He thinks my best friend is nothing more than a pet. I should kill him on the spot for speaking about her that way.

But I can’t. Not until I know more. And I can get more.

Because Riven is off to the side, fighting the queen.

The other winter fae guards are holding off Malakai and Mirena.

Ghost and Nebula are standing guard, ready to rip apart anyone who dares to enter the throne room.

Which means I have time to destroy the king who murdered my ex-boyfriend and called my best friend a pet.

“Is she alive?” I ask, surprised I’m able to speak through my desire to throw the Star Disc at him and pierce him straight in the heart.

“That,” Thanatos replies smoothly, considering the question with theatrical thoughtfulness, “depends entirely on what you mean by alive.”

My blood turns to ice. “Is she dead?”

“She still walks among us.” His grin widens to show his fangs. “Still breathes. Still bleeds when cut. Although… she’s certainly not the same girl who came to our realm all those months ago.”

“What does that mean?” I snarl, taking another step toward his throne. “What did you do to her?”

He rises, his wings spreading wide, his voice turning lethal. “I’ve indulged your questions for long enough. You want answers, Sapphire? Come and take them.”

He lunges forward, a storm of wind and ice exploding from his fingertips.

My magic rises to meet his, the throne room erupting into a whirlwind of frozen shards and howling gales. “Tell me what you did to Zoey,” I demand, controlling my magic enough to create a contained air bubble around us.

“She was broken and remade.” Wind gathers around his wings, making him look like a vengeful god. “Just like the others from the Winter Court.”

I curse at him and hurl the Star Disc, slicing effortlessly through his side, drawing a thick line of blood that stains his robes before returning to my hand.

Thanatos snarls and staggers back to his throne, frost racing over his wound as it heals.

“Tell me what you did to Zoey,” I demand again, stepping closer to him, holding the Star Disc up in warning.

“I did nothing to her.” Thanatos laughs, ice crackling beneath his feet as he stands and raises his hands, gathering power. “But Aerix made sure she will never belong to you again.”

“Zoey doesn’t belong to anyone.” My patience snaps, and I blast a wave at him that forces him back onto his throne, hot water swirling around his robes and pinning him to his seat.

“Now, answer my questions.” I step closer, pride racing through me when he flinches back.

“And speak plainly this time. What did Aerix do to Zoey?”

Thanatos presses his lips together, saying nothing.

I tilt my head, studying him. “I suppose you need more motivation,” I say slowly, pushing out more magic to turn the water scalding hot.

He cries out as it sizzles over his skin.

“What did Aerix do to Zoey?” I repeat, nudging the water so it rises up his neck.

The king struggles against my magical hold, rage flashing in his eyes. “He took her,” he finally growls through the pain. “He claimed her completely—body, mind, and soul. She embraced her fate, and you’ll never get her back. Your pathetic little rescue mission is pointless.”

Somehow, he pushes through the water and launches himself from the throne with inhuman speed, pulling a dagger from his robes and aiming for my throat.

The Star Disc flies from my hand in a perfect arc, catching him mid-leap.

Starlight erupts from his chest as the weapon pierces his heart, thrown with so much force that he flies backward and crashes down onto his throne. His eyes go wide with shock and agony, blood pooling beneath him and staining the ancient stone.