Page 108 of The Chains You Defy

As much as I hated it, the ball was an official High Court function that I attended as the heir of this whole shithole. And because of that, there were certain protocols I was forced to adhere to.

But with every rule, there were options.

Still, I glared at the delicate and elegant circlet—I refused to call the trinket a crown—curving gracefully around my head. Contrary to the heavy, large, and ostentatious piece my grandfather loved to torture mewith, this one appeared more organic and natural, with rounded points and subtle arches. Unadorned, slightly askew, and in simple gold, the ornament nestled into my hair and disappeared in places under my locks. Didn’t change that I hated this travesty so much.

Stalking back to my bedroom, I imagined Nayana’s face again, and when I arrived, the bathing chamber door was still closed.

This bordered on the absurd. How long could putting a tiny female into a dress take? Drawing a hefty dose of air into my lungs, I was about to resume my pacing when I stilled.

Where was the wayward magic tendril? Earlier, the thing had been ready to take down a massive door with pure determination alone, so pardon me if I didn’t believe it would simply vanish.

Gods, what if someone had harmed Nayana while I hadn’t guarded her? Of course, a useless piece of senti…not sentient magic couldn’t be trusted.

Fuck, or had she departed already, although I’d ordered her not to leave before we would have spoken?

“Nayana? Are you alright?” Pounding against the door, I failed to keep the edge of hysterics out of my voice.

No answer. Fuck.

And when I checked, the bathroom was empty.

Gods, couldn’t she stay where I put her for once?

As much as I tried to hold on to the belief that her stubborn streak had led her to bail on me, the fact that her disappearance had Galrach written all over it was undeniable. Again, what if the maid wasn’t as loyal as I’d thought?

Nothing could keep me still anymore, and seconds later, I ripped open the main door to my suite, glaring at the two servants who were standing outside as usual. As I bared my teeth at them, they shrank away, and satisfaction filled me. “Did my Amplifier already leave?”

One of the males—although he gave the impression that he was moments away from pissing his pants—was brave enough to answer. “Yes, Your Royal Highness. One of Steward Fainic’s assistants, Bua, had been tasked with escorting the Eachtrannach to the ballroom early so that no one would be offended by her entrance. He fetched her about half an hour ago, Your Royal Highness.”

My movements had ceased during the blabbering of the servant, my body taut as a bowstring. I’d been close to losing my shit already, but as the male first mentioned the shitstain Fainic and his fucking assistant Bua—whoever he was—before hurling out the horrible slur Galrach had established for Nayana, I snapped.

Within seconds, my fingers curled around the hilt of my midnight sword that I’d conjured from darkness. How I had missed my weapon.

As all fae did, the servants possessed exceptional agility, but, unlucky for them, no matter how quick their reaction was, I was faster. Thrusting my blade forward, I skewered the neck of the first male, changing the trajectory mid-motion so the weapon pierced the second one’s throat as well. They didn’t even have time to scream before they dangled limply from my blade.

I’d made sure to dodge any droplets of blood—again, that wouldn’t have been an issue with black attire—and because I wasn’t dumb, I forced my sword to disappear.The males plummeted to the ground, where the plush carpet absorbed their body fluids.

Taking out two assholes should have given me more satisfaction than the deed had—the violence had barely taken the edge off. Too many idiots like them existed in Alaiann, who looked down upon my female, and by Kalag, I yearned to send every single one to Udiona.

Instead, I had a ball to attend. Fuck.

Not even bothering to close my own door, I stalked down the corridor. Near the exit of my wing, I snarled at the first guard I spotted on my path.

“Hey, assface.”

“—Your Royal Highness?”

“There’s a mess in front of my quarters. Go clean that up. Oh, and shut my doors and ensure that they’ll be manned again.”

The blank expression of shock in the male’s eyes was enough of an answer for me. Assface would follow my order, or his life was forfeited as well.

With every step toward the north wing, where Danartha resided, my annoyance grew. The closer I got, the more my stomach revolted.

Godscursed female.

Her continued existence was such an inconvenience. I’d rather cross the Breocharn on foot, twice, before voluntarily taking her with me to the ball, but I had no choice.

Danartha’s door was staffed with a guard and a lady’s maid as I arrived, and I annihilated the sulk from my features. Instead, I firmly glued the boredom back on.