Chapter 139: The Fae King’s Test
OBERYN POV
As I dove to protect Queen Seraphina from the Shadow Lord’s attack, the ground blew up under me. Black claws just missed her neck by an inch and tore through the old oak tree behind us instead. Pieces of wood flew at us like poisonous darts.
"Your Majesty!" I yelled and pulled her behind a downed tree. "Are you hurt?"
She gasped and said, "I’m fine," but I could see blood running down her arm. "But Oberyn, look!"
I looked around to see what was making her voice shake with fear. Aria was surrounded by six huge Shadow Lords all over the battlefield. They weren’t trying to kill her—they were moving her toward a dark portal that had opened in the air like a wound in reality.
"They’re taking her to the Prisoner," I realized with fear.
"We have to help her!" Seraphina started to stand, but I grabbed her arm and held her down.
"No," I said strongly. "This is bigger than just saving Aria. If the Shadow Lords get both her and Lucien, they’ll have everything they need to destroy all the worlds."
I looked around at the chaos surrounding us. Werewolves were facing shadow creatures twice their size. Vampires were fighting dark magic that burned their skin. Dragons were breathing fire at enemies they couldn’t really hurt. Everyone was losing. Everyone was dying.
And in the middle of it all, I had to make a choice that would change everything.
"Queen Seraphina," I said quietly, trying to keep my voice steady. "I need you to listen very carefully. What I’m about to do will save everyone, but it might cost me my life."