Page 134 of The Dark Mage

Out of the fog stepped a beautiful woman.

Slender and poised, her platinum blonde hair was twisted into an elegant knot.A shocking pink dress hugged her figure indecently, dipping low over her chest, its trailing sleeves draping off bare shoulders.

Her pale skin glowed faintly in the mist—ethereal, otherworldly.

But when Ren’wyn met her eyes, she saw only death.

The woman’s lips curved into a delighted smirk.

“What a surprise,” she drawled, her high-pitched voice laced with amusement.

Her gaze flicked to Fael, and Ren’wyn’s breath caught in her throat.

“Of all people,” the woman purred, “I never expected to findyouhere, Prince Falorian Greywood.”

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Prince Falorian?

Ren’wyn felt a rush of dizziness.Emperor Greywood’s son?The crown prince.What was going on?Shock overrode fear, and she stepped toward Fael, her hand still locked in Esrin’s.

“Fael?”she breathed, her voice trembling.He didn’t acknowledgeher.

“Fael?”she repeated, her heart climbing into her throat, her arm stretching behind her as Esrin’s grip on her wrist tightened painfully.

“What a delightful surprise to find you here of all places, my prince,” Lissea purred, her voice dripping with sensuality, though her eyes remained cold and empty.

Ren’wyn’s heart twisted and wrenched against her ribs.The Void was gone—her magic smothered to nothing—and Fael wouldn’t look ather.

Look at me, look at me,she begged silently.Let me help you.Tell me what’s happening.

Esrin’s grip was so firm it hurt, and tears spilled freely down her face, born of pain and confusion.

“Hello, Lissea,” Fael replied coolly, his tone detached.“A pleasure as always.”

“I do remember quite a bit of pleasure, Lori,” she giggled.The sound made Ren’wyn’s skin crawl.“You made me a promise to visit, but I haven’t seen you in years, mydear.”

Fael’s sword remained unsheathed, ready to strike.“I’m actually on my way out, Liss, but maybe we can meet up when I getback?”

A high-pitched laugh escaped her, sharp and grating.“No, no, no, Lori.I’ve been so short on fun lately, and I hear you’ve brought friends.”

Her eyes flicked upward, landing on Ren’wyn, Esrin, and Zev on the gangway.Ren’wyn’s stomach twisted violently as Fael stepped forward to shield her fromview.

“Remember your promise,” Fael called, his voice edged with urgency.“Take Ren’wyn aboard and cast off.Now.”

“What?”Ren’wyn shouted, anger surging within her even as her magic remained out of reach.Sweat beaded on her forehead.“Fael!What the hell are you doing?”

“Such a pretty little thing,” Lissea drawled, her gaze fixed on Ren’wyn.“A lovely flower.Is this your latest toy,Lori?”

Lori.Ren’wyn hated it.Falorian.The name spun in her head, the world tilting around her.Small tendrils of water and air began circling her arms and legs like clutching fingers.

“You must be the dark mage,” Lissea continued, her eyes glittering.“I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting one before.Would you like to come play with me,girl?”

Ren’wyn bared her teeth, tears streaking her face as Esrin’s grip and her breaking heart flooded her with emotion.

“I heard there’s a druid and a wight as well,” Lissea mused, her lips curling into a predatory smile.“Quite the little treasure trove.And your little whore has some fight in her.What a surprise.”

Ren’wyn sobbed openly now, her hands grasping at the air as she threw all her will toward the Void, only to feel nothing—absolutely nothing.At the same time, Esrin’s invisible bonds of water and air tightened around her, forcing her up the gangway against herwill.