The Banished Heiress

The Siege

CLARA'S POINT OF VIEW

The loud horn echoed through the cold stone walls of the royal bedroom. It sounded like a dying beast screaming into the night wind.

Valerius did not move away. His hands stayed planted on the bedframe on both sides of my shoulders, pinning me in place. The heat coming off his chest burned right through my torn dress, warm and heavy in the cool air of the room.

Commander! a voice shouted from the hallway, followed by heavy boots running down the corridor. The northern gate has breached! The shadow army is inside the lower courtyard!

Valerius closed his eyes for a split second, letting out a low growl that made his leather armor vibrate against my chest.

Not now, he growled under his breath.

He opened his eyes, his golden pupils burning into mine. His thumb slid up my cheek, pressing softly against my cheekbone with a slow, heavy pressure that made my breath catch in my throat.

Stay in this room, he murmured, his voice rough and low. Lock the heavy iron bolt behind me. Do not open this door for anyone unless it is me.

What about the King? I whispered, my hands trembling as they rested against his broad iron shoulder guards. What about the blood test?

The test is done, Clara, he said softly, his head dipping down until his hot lips brushed against the skin right under my ear. Every noble in that hall saw your magic. They know who you are now. And so do the monsters outside.

A wild shiver ran down my spine as his mouth moved over my skin, warm and possessive. My heart pounded against my ribs like a trapped bird. I reached up, my fingers curling into the dark fur of his cloak, holding onto him as my knees felt weak.

He pulled back slowly, his eyes dark with a hunger that made my skin prickle all over. He stood up to his full height, drawing his massive steel sword from the sheath at his waist.

If anyone tries to cross this doorway, he barked, turning toward the heavy oak door, use the power that commanded the beasts in the forest. Do not hold back.

He opened the door, stepped out into the torchlit hallway, and pulled the heavy wood shut behind him. The sound of the lock clicking into place echoed through the dark room.

I stood alone in the huge royal chamber.

The room was grand, filled with dark velvet curtains, a giant stone fireplace, and soft rugs that felt warm under my bare feet. But I could not stay still. Outside the tall glass balcony windows, red fire lit up the black sky.

I ran to the window, pressing my hands against the glass.

Down in the lower courtyard, total chaos had broken out. Hundreds of giant dark wolves with glowing red eyes were tearing through the stone arches. Royal soldiers in gold armor fought back with spears and swords, but the shadow beasts kept coming, spilling over the walls like dark water.

In the middle of the yard stood Valerius.

He fought like a storm. His heavy sword cut through the dark air in fast silver arcs, throwing shadow beasts off their feet with every swing. His black cloak blew in the wind, his golden eyes glowing bright even from three floors up.

A sharp noise clicked behind me.

My head snapped around toward the dark corner of the bedroom. The fire in the stone fireplace flickered low, throwing long, creeping shadows across the carpet.

Who is there? I asked, my voice shaking as I backed up against the cold window glass.

A slow, dry laugh answered from the dark.

Did you really think a few iron chains could hold me, little maid?

A figure stepped out from the shadows near the tall wardrobe.

It was Evelyn.

Her golden dress was torn and covered in black ash, her hair hanging in dirty tangles around her face. Her wrist was red and swollen where Valerius had twisted it earlier, but her eyes were wide, wild, and bloodshot with absolute hatred. In her good hand, she held a long silver dagger—the same dagger the High Priests had used at the blood altar.

Evelyn, I gasped, my back hitting the glass pane. The guards...

The guards are dead in the hallway, she hissed, taking a slow step toward me. My mother had extra gold saved for the prison keepers. She bought my way out while your Enforcer went to play war in the mud.

You lost, Evelyn, I said, trying to keep my voice steady as my heart hammered against my ribs. The King saw my magic. The whole court knows your mark is a fake.

It doesn't matter what they saw! she shrieked, her face twisting into an ugly mask of rage. It only matters who is alive when the sun comes up! Once I cut your throat and throw your body into the burning courtyard, I am the only heir left! Father will have no choice!

She lunged at me.

The silver blade flashed in the dim light. I ducked to the side, my bare feet slipping on the smooth rug. The blade sliced through the air right where my neck had been, stabbing deep into the velvet curtains.

I scrambled across the floor on my hands and knees, reaching for the heavy iron fire poker resting near the hearth.

Evelyn turned quickly, kicking my hand away. Her heavy silk shoe hit my wrist hard, sending a sharp burst of pain up my arm. I cried out, rolling onto my back as she threw her weight on top of me.

She pinned my shoulders to the floor, her dirty hair falling over my face as she brought the sharp silver dagger down toward my chest.

I grabbed her wrist with both hands, my muscles straining as I held the cold steel point inches from my skin.

You were always just a rat! Evelyn growled through her teeth, pressing down with all her weight. A dirty servant girl who belonged in the dirt!

I am the daughter of the High King, I rasped out, my chest heaving as I fought her off. And you are nothing but a thief!

A sudden, hot spark flared beneath my skin.

The crescent mark on my back throbbed with a fierce, burning heat. The fire did not just stay on my skin this time. It rushed straight through my arms, flowing right into my hands where I gripped her wrist.

A bright wave of purple light shot out from my fingers!

Evelyn screamed in shock as the magical fire burned her skin. The heat blew her backward off my body, sending her crashing hard into the wooden bedside table. The glass water pitcher shattered, spilling cold water and broken shards across the carpet.

I scrambled up from the floor, my breath coming in fast, ragged gasps. My dress was torn, my skin humming with a warm purple glow that lit up the entire dark room.

Evelyn lay on the floor, clutching her scorched arm as she stared at me with wide, terrified eyes.

You... you really are a monster, she whimpered, backing away on her elbows.

I walked toward her slowly, my bare feet stepping over the broken glass. The purple light around my hands pulsed in time with my heavy heartbeat.

I am not a monster, I said, my voice sounding deep and strong in the quiet room. I am the Luna of this realm.

Before she could speak, the heavy oak doors of the bedroom were kicked off their iron hinges with a deafening crash.

Valerius stood in the ruined doorway.

His black steel armor was covered in dark blood, his sword dripping as he held it at his side. His chest rose and fell heavily, his windblown dark hair falling across his forehead. His golden eyes swept over the room, instantly locking onto me standing over Evelyn with my skin glowing purple.

He did not look at Evelyn weeping on the floor. He marched straight across the room, stopping right in front of me.

He dropped his heavy sword onto the rug with a loud thud. His large, blood-stained hands reached out, cupping both sides of my face with a fierce, trembling strength.

Are you cut? he demanded, his rough voice shaking as his eyes scanned my body from head to toe. Did she touch you?

I am fine, I gasped out, my hands coming up to cover his large gloves. I... I stopped her.

Valerius let out a low, ragged breath that sounded like a relief growl. He pulled me forward, burying his face in the crook of my neck, holding my waist so tight I could barely breathe.

The heat radiating off his body was overwhelming, hot, thick, and possessive. My hands slid around his broad neck, leaning into his strength as my shivering body settled against his hard armor.

You were supposed to stay behind the locked door, he murmured against my skin, his lips pressing a hard, lingering kiss against my collarbone that made my core ache with a sudden, wild heat.

She was already inside, I whispered, my voice breaking as tears finally spilled over my eyes. She tried to kill me.

Valerius lifted his head slowly. His golden eyes turned cold as ice as he looked down at Evelyn shrinking against the broken table.

Guards! Valerius thundered across the room.

Four elite royal guards rushed through the broken doorway, their drawn swords gleaming in the torchlight.

Take this trash to the lowest dungeon, Valerius ordered, his voice dropping into a dangerous growl. Chain her in silver irons. If she breathes too loud, cut her tongue out.

No! Evelyn shrieked as two giant guards grabbed her arms, dragging her across the carpet. Valerius, please! She is using dark magic! She tricked you all!

The guards dragged her screaming into the hallway, her voice fading away down the long stone corridor until the palace went quiet again.

Valerius turned his back on the hall, looking down at me in the dim light of the bedroom. The purple light on my skin was slowly fading, leaving me feeling cold and exhausted. My legs gave out, my knees buckling under my weight.

Before I could fall, Valerius scooped me up into his arms effortlessly.

He carried me over to the large velvet bed, setting me down gently on the soft covers. He sat beside me, his long fingers reaching out to push the wet strands of hair away from my sweaty forehead.

The shadow army outside is retreating, Valerius said softly, his thumb tracing the shape of my jaw. The King is resting. His blood is clean now because of your magic.

What happens tomorrow? I asked, my voice small in the big room.

Tomorrow, the council will crown you, he murmured, his face coming close to mine until I could feel the hot air of his breath against my lips. And every noble who ever made you bleed will bow until their noses touch the floor.

And what about you? I whispered, my heart racing as his golden eyes darkened with that same wild, possessive fire. What happens to us?

Valerius leaned in closer, his thumb pressing against my bottom lip as his body hovered over mine on the soft velvet bed.

I told you before, little maid, he growled softly against my mouth. I am never letting you go.

Outside the window, the first light of dawn began to break over the high spires of Solaria, painting the sky in shades of gold and pink.