Chapter 499: Alone in the Dark
The throne room fell silent, all eyes on me. The weight of their expectations pressed down on me, and I instinctively took a step back, my tail trembling. Alverin stood with his hand outstretched, Elise clinging to his arm, her face buried in his shoulder.
As I hesitated, Luxxa’s voice, sharp with disbelief, cut through the tension. "You can’t seriously be considering it," she hissed. "We’ll kill them all together, then take on that bastard king."
I glanced back at Elise, but she only had eyes for Alverin. Her presence was both a threat and a source of agonizing concern. As long as she was under his control, he could and would use her against me. Defying him would only cause her pain, perhaps even death.
But could my companions withstand Alverin’s cronies? Three seventh-level beings were a formidable force, like facing three Victors at once. They had to be the last of this kingdom’s elite forces. The Star Guard had proven themselves capable of defeating two seventh-level opponents, but they were exhausted. Kahlen could handle one with ease, but...
My gaze fell on Fable, who was glaring at Alverin with undisguised hostility. The king cringed slightly as I rested a hand on Fable’s head, already sensing my intent through our bond.
Without further hesitation, I slid off Fable’s back, wincing as the jolt sent another wave of fire through the sunpurge.
"You can’t!" Jenna cried, clutching her staff tightly.
"I can’t leave you alone with that monster!" Luxxa added, her voice filled with fear and determination.
"Then win quickly," I murmured, avoiding their gazes. "Fable, watch after them. We’ll be atop the easternmost tower."