Page 44 of Dancing With Demons
I roll out of the way, leaping up to my feet as she recovers. My magic flares up to whip at her legs, forcing her back and distracting her as I lunge forward.
My arms are outstretched, but I manage to wrangle my self control and force my body to the ground before I can grip her. I know that if I get my hands on her, I won’t be able to stop in time. I’m not sure if my body is trying to break her bones or strangle her, but I don’t want to take any chances.
Piper won’t give them to me, though. My magic has irritated her, and as I shift up into a crouch, my magic already feeling depleted, she grits her teeth and stares me down.
My fingers itch, wanting to grasp my opponent, as my legs fight me to jump toward her again. I’m fighting my instincts hard, and it takes me a minute to realize how still Piper has gone.
But then I notice the green glow building under her skin. Her jaw is set hard, and a deep scream builds in her as she throws both hands forward, directing all of her magic at me.
The intensity of it slams into my chest, and I’m too low to dodge it. I take the full blast, flung back across the throne room. I barely register my body in the air at first with her magic already nearly knocking me unconscious.
But when my body collides–and goes through–the first two layers of the throne room’s infrastructure, I know I’m about to black out entirely. Just before my body gives up, the bloodlust spell trying to drag me up, two words echo through my mind over and over.
I’m proud.
And I am, even in my battered and unconscious state, I am proud of Piper. Of all she’s accomplished.
That’s my girl.
21
Piper
Iscream at the intensity of the power ripping through my body.
It feels like my very life source is bleeding out through my fingertips as I throw Ulstrath across the room. Tears streak my face as his body slams through the wall, and horror coats my tongue as the massive demon crumples to the ground.
My whole body trembles and as my magic dissipates, and I realize it was the only thing holding me up. I collapse, feeling entirely drained, and I can’t even keep my eyes open any longer.
My head lolls to the side, trying to fight exhaustion heavier than I’ve ever experienced, and I manage to hear one of the King’s servants announce, “He’s still alive!”
A sad smile tugs at my lips as I murmur out, “Ulstrath,” but it’s all I manage before black waves sweep in to claim me.
I pushed myself too hard, and I’ve hurt someone I care about. I didn’t want to do any of this, and I fear that I’ve irreversibly hurt Ulstrath.
Even the inky blackness can’t erase the deep regret that roils through me.
When I stir again, I realize that I must have been moved. I’m no longer on the hard, cold floor of the throne room. The bed beneath me is plush and soft and smells familiar.
“I think she’s waking.” Eth’tak’s soothing voice calms me a little as I try to pull myself from the depths of unconsciousness.
“Piper?” Tolmond’s hand caresses my face. “Piper, can you hear me?”
“Yes.” My voice is raspy, but I manage to force out the response.
I creak open my heavily eyelids to see Tolmond grinning down at me, and Eth’tak appears behind him. “Here. Help her sit up.”
Tolmond shifts me up so that I’m mostly in his lap so he can support my weight, and Eth’tak lifts the glass to my lips. I drink greedily, and only one my body is soothed do I remember why I feel this way in the first place.
The guilt is crushing. Immediately my eyes well with tears, and I bring a hand to my mouth, covering the sobs I feel building.
“I can’t believe I did that,” I whimper.
“Piper.” Tolmond tugs me all the way on his lap and Eth’tak sits beside him, rubbing my back. “You were incredible.”
I shake my head. “I hurt Ulstrath! He was my friend and I- I-” Horror hits me and I jerk back to look at the two of them. “I didn’t kill him, did I?” I know he was still alive when I fell unconscious in the throne room, but a lot of the time, people die from complications and not the initial impact.
“No, sweet girl. You didn’t kill anyone.”