Chapter 16

. . . It got so much worse.

The courtyard that'd been barren only an hour ago was completely transformed into an outdoor theatre. I swallowed my nerves down. I wasn't the front and center show-off type of person. On one side of the courtyard stood a stage made of stone that'd been summoned from the earth. Rows of stone benches were lined up before the stage as though every person in the castle was going to sit and watch some kind of performance. I'd hoped it was a play of some sort, perhaps a show to welcome us all here, but I'd been here long enough to know better.

"Ah, you've arrived. Wonderful." Dacio clapped his hands together as he approached our little group. He turned and motioned to the stage. "What do you think of our little setup?"

Lizvita stepped in front of me, blocking me from view. "I adore the theatre."

Dacio pinched her chin and held her face up toward the sun, turning it from one side to the other. "You do have the looks for it."

Her cheeks pinked and she batted her eyelashes at him. "You flatter me."

"Just an observation." He dropped her chin and moved to Tendreece. "You also are pleasing to the eye."

She gave a small bow, and when she popped back up, she beamed at him. "You're welcome to look, Your Highness."

I barely stopped myself from putting my finger in my mouth and making the gagging sound. Malotte glanced in my direction, and for a second, I was sure she had the same thought I did. At some point these two were going to have shit on their noses from being so far up Dacio's ass. I was pretty sure they both already knew the flavor of his ball sweat. When Lizvita made no move to stop blocking me, I just folded my arms and waited.

Dacio glanced around her. "And what are your thoughts, Lily?"

Morgana, my name is Morgana. If I didn't keep reminding myself of who I was, then I was going to start forgetting. "I enjoy the theatre."

"Do you not like to be the center of attention?"

"Not on your life." I jumped at my own candor. "I mean, I prefer the viewing, not to be the show."

"Pity. You'd make a lovely show." He plucked up a strand of my hair and let it curl between his fingers. He waved it back and forth, examining it. "You're quite . . . unique."

"Thank you?" Was unique a compliment or a nice way of saying I was the weirdo of the bunch?

"You're quite welcome." He dropped my hair and began walking down the aisle toward the stage. He spread his arms wide. "Today, I demand a show . . . a show of power."

My stomach sank. He turned to face us. "Your power."

Fuck. I'm screwed.

"It's about time." Tendreece smiled at the rest of us. "Good luck. I hope you fall off the stage."

Malotte sighed. "I kinda hope you just . . . die."

"That can be arranged." Kelda chuckled and a frosty breeze flew from her across our little group and over Lizvita and Tendreece.

The water froze on their skin and they both squealed with discomfort as they shook their arms and legs out. Tendreece glared in her direction. "Kelda, you shouldn't even exist or be here."

"Yeah, your seaweed doesn't offer much protection, does it?" Kelda chuckled as their skin began to look like little snowflakes were gathered over it.

"Darlings, please." Dacio's voice yanked our attention. "A show of power is needed. If you're to be my queen, then powerful you must be."

Great. I'm out. I had no idea how to control my power . . . or even what it was exactly. I just hoped my lack of show didn't land me in a permanent stay in Dacio's dungeon. Perhaps he'd let me go free if I couldn't produce something strong enough. One could only hope. Dacio stood in the middle of the courtyard and opened his hands. The ground rumbled below us, and a pedestal rose under his feet, lifting him higher than the rest of us.

When it was ten feet higher than those of us standing in the courtyard, he addressed the soldiers. "Gentleman, please do take your seats for a show unlike any other."

They marched like ants toward the rows of benches and started filling them in. There were more soldiers than I even realized possible. They came from all corners of the castle, flooding in like a tide. When the benches were filled, they made their own lines behind them. My heart thundered in my chest. I did not want to do this. I didn't even want to attempt to do this. The power I'd used before was deadly. Though they had it coming, the bodies of those three dead soldiers were burned into my mind. This demon power I'd been cursed with would hurt anyone who came too close to it, and I could barely control it. My emotions summoned it, not my desire to use it.

In moments the entire courtyard was packed full of soldiers in their uniforms. It was worse than any high school play I was forced to attend. I was so done with this. I glanced around the courtyard that looked more like a concert arena now, trying to see if I could escape while they were all distracted. I spun around in a circle, and the chatter was almost deafening. When I met a pair of glowing blue eyes, I froze. While everyone else was looking in all different directions, Avalon was focused on only one thing . . . me.

I didn't know why he'd helped me through the previous test. Perhaps a moment of sanity on his part? Or maybe he wanted to see me squirm. But when I didn't look away, tension sizzled between us and settled low in my stomach. He was beautiful on the outside but such an asshole on the inside, which would be most women's cup of tea, but definitely not mine. If only the dream Avalon were real, where he was beautiful inside and out. I couldn't say the same thing for the live version. Yet the more time I was here, the more it felt like there was something between us. Or I was losing my mind. Which was also a possibility.

"Do we have a volunteer to go first?" Dacio called over the hum of the crowd.

Tendreece raised her hand, then sauntered toward the stage. Malotte moved to stand next to me. "I know we're all shocked by that one."

"I've never seen more of a pathological need for attention than I have in that one. And I've seen some shit."

Tendreece jumped up on stage and walked around like a pageant girl turning and waving. The men catcalled her while she flicked her seaweed looking dress in one direction or another. She tossed her blue hair over her shoulder while winking and smiling every few feet.

"Are you sure she's never been to Earth? She does it better than the beauty queens."

Malotte's eyes widened. "You're from Earth?"

I nodded. "I'm not sure if I'm supposed to make that public knowledge, but yes, that's where I came from and somehow ended up here."

"I've only heard stories about it. It seems so far off and different." Malotte sighed.

I glanced around at this medieval chaos. "It is different."

Tendreece walked to the middle of the stage and held her arms up. Drops of water rose off her body as though it were raining in reverse. She held her arms up and the water took shape over her head and turned into one of those glowing butterflies they had everywhere. It was so beautiful that I could hardly begrudge the fact that it was Tendreece making it. The water wavered and moved with beautiful tiny rips as the wings beat up and down. The crowd made impressed sounds as the butterfly disappeared and changed into a bigger creature. It looked like a giant water snake with two arms on each side of its body. The soldiers all leaned back with awed looks on their faces. Though her magic couldn't make any sounds, she made the water creature open its mouth into a huge, silent roar. The soldiers seemed in complete awe of every move she made.

"I hate her." Lizvita moved to the other side of Malotte.

I didn't find it shocking that she hated Tendreece. There wasn't much to like. "I thought you were friends?"

"Tendreece doesn't have friends. She has people and things she uses." Lizvita gave me a sideways glance. "But you already knew that."

"I can't say I'm surprised."

Kelda chuckled. "Yeah, but watch this."

She sprinted toward the stage like she was running to war. Her white turtleneck dress clung to her body and wrapped around her legs. But she didn't let it stop her. She opened her hand. Light-blue smoke flew from her palms and two white curvy horns popped from her head. She sprang into the air and jumped into the middle of the fake water monster. Freezing wind whipped through the courtyard, and the water monster froze on the spot. It splintered and shattered into a million pieces. The crowd went wild with cheers.

Kelda landed a few feet from Tendreece and smirked at her. She curled her finger toward her in a come get some taunt. Tendreece's cheeks turned a bright red and she curled her hands into fists at her sides. Her blue horns poked from her head, and she charged toward Kelda. Kelda's face pulled up in an evil grin, like she was getting the exact reaction she'd been looking for. She sucked in a deep breath and her cheeks puffed out as she blew a long breath across her palm.

The wind lifted her up off the ground and sent her flying across the courtyard. The crowd jumped to their feet, watching as she headed straight for the wall. I almost closed my eyes trying to avoid watching the mess about to happen, like watching a bug about to collide with a windshield. Avalon appeared out of nowhere, his black horns protruding from his head as he lifted his hand high into the air and that green magic shot straight up in a huge gust. The wind whipped around Tendreece, catching her a moment before she splattered against the wall.

Her body twisted and turned in midair as Avalon lowered her to the ground. When she landed, her hair looked like she'd been in a wind tunnel and her dress was in tatters. She turned toward Avalon, seemingly about to yell at him, but ended up slamming her hand over her mouth and running for the stairs. Kelda threw her arms up like a wrestling champ and roared to the crowd. The soldiers all joined in, jumping to their feet and yelling. Even I couldn't help but think Tendreece deserved worse than that, but it was nice to see her get a bit of her own bad behavior back.

Malotte turned and grabbed my hand. She pressed her lips together like she was bursting to say something. She sucked in a breath and let it out. "You saw Linford. How is he?"

The change in subject startled me. "Yeah, he was . . . good?"

"And . . . and Carlotta? Was she . . . I mean, was she okay?" Malotte's words were halted, almost like she'd been holding in this emotion for too long, hiding from what she'd like to actually say. I knew the feeling. I would give everything I had for a moment to talk to Rhode.

"She was lovely and . . . generous." I held my foot out, showing her the lace-up boots that they'd given me.

She looked down at my feet. "Oh my, those were . . . mine."

My eyes widened. "They told me these belonged to their daughter. You're their daughter?"

"Yes." Her eyes glistened and she sucked in a sharp breath and blinked hard to stop the tears from flowing.

"Oh, Malotte, I'm so sorry. I know what it's like to be separated from family. Maybe not for fifty years, but it's killing me to not be with her. Once I get out of here, I'm going back to Earth to get to her."

Malotte sucked in a sharp breath. "Oh, Lily, I'm so sorry, but . . . there is no way back. The Veil only opens every fifty years."

My heart sank and I felt sick. I'd been holding on to the hope that Dacio and Avalon had lied. I didn't realize how hard I was holding on to the hope that there was a way out and I would get back to my life. I dropped her hand and felt the air leave my lungs. My knees shook like they were about to give out. The cheers of the crowd were drowned out as my head swam and spots filled my vision. I was trapped here . . . basically forever. Never to see Rhode or Sephira again. Though we were outside, I felt as though the walls were closing in on me.

I couldn't breathe. My chest was too tight. My throat felt thick, and I couldn't swallow past the lump that began to form. From the moment I'd arrived here, the only thing keeping me going was the hope that I'd get back to Rhode and back to my life. Malotte grabbed my shoulders. "Lily! Lily, breathe!"

Dacio rose to his feet and the soldiers fell silent just as quickly as they'd broken out into cheers. "And now the most delicate flower of all . . . Lily."

No. No, I'm not Lily. I am Morgana, and I don't belong here.

"You can do this," Malotte whispered as she gently pushed me toward the stage.

I couldn't do anything.

All their eyes were on me, including his—the bastard who took me from my life and brought me here. Anger warred with sadness within me. How was I supposed to live without Rhode? I'd been holding on to the idea of seeing her again this whole time. And now I was stuck here on display for some kind of twisted contest I didn't want to be a part of. I turned around to walk back down the aisle. I had no power to display, no trick to impress anyone. Even if I did have that kind of power, I wouldn't use it to impress Dacio. Hell, or even Avalon.

"Guards, she seems a bit shy." Dacio pointed down at me from his pedestal high above us all.

Hands reached toward me, and I felt them on my arms and around my hips. It was too much. Everything was closing in on me. My heart hammered in my chest so hard I felt like it was going to explode. Malotte called out after me, but her voice was so far in the distance and I found myself hoisted up on the stage. I turned to face the crowd and stood there doing nothing.

"Come now," Dacio's voice boomed in my ears. "Show us."

I looked down at my hands and found that my frazzled nerves had that purple smoke seeping from my hands. Yet not a single petal came out. I curled my hands into fists and shoved them down at my sides. "I have nothing to show."

Dacio leaned back in his throne with his arm resting across the arm of the chair. "We've all seen the consequences of your power. Let us see it in action."

I shook my head. "I've nothing to give or show."

The muscle in Dacio's jaw ticked as if he was losing patience. "Are you refusing?"

Silence surrounded us and my body quaked with too much emotion. I'd lost everything. I glared up at him and let all my anger show. "Yes. I refuse."

A collective gasp sounded, and everyone's gaze swung back to see what Dacio would do next. The truth was, I didn't give a shit what he wanted. I would never be his queen. Better for him to learn that now. He growled and the castle around us rumbled with his anger. Dust flew all around layering courtyard in a brown, hazy fog. He waved toward me.

"To the dungeon with her."

No! I didn't want to be trapped there again. I was tired of being at the whim of others, tired of being out of control, and tired of playing this game. They'd taken the life I'd built for myself. They'd taken my sister. Rage burned through my body, and I felt something inside me begin to unleash. Soldiers stormed the stage from both sides, ready to grab me and lock me up.

No. No. I won't have that. They got so close. Their hands were reaching for me. I opened my palms. Purple petals exploded all around me. A scream ripped from my throat, and they flew in all different directions, dancing on the breeze like fluttering snowflakes. The soldiers turned and started running off the stage, but it was too late for the ones closest to me. The moment the petals touched them, they fell to their knees in fits of convulsions. My hair flew out around me, and I felt power like I'd never known surge through my body.

Dacio shot to his feet and watched with awed interest. I turned toward him, about to raise my hand in his direction, when Avalon was suddenly in front of me. Flames danced over his body, and the wind whipped around the two of us. He locked eyes with me. "Stop this now."

"You took me from everything!" More petals poured from me. He dove forward with his green smoke swirling around him. He wrapped his arms around me, and I fought his hold. I wriggled in his grip. "Let me go!"

"Not until you calm!" His voice was gruff in my ear.

"I hate you." My power raged. All I wanted was for this to end.

"Calm. Now." He held me tighter, trapping my arms at my sides. His hands slid down to mine, and he wrapped his fingers around mine, curling them into fists. The petals stopped and he stayed there, holding me amidst a pile of carnage. At least ten soldiers lay in a circle around me on the stage. Silence settled around us as they all looked at me with expressions of shocked horror on their faces.

Avalon turned me to face Dacio. "Your Highness?"

Dacio smirked. "Now that is a show of power. She stays. Take her back to her room."

I whimpered at the thought of being trapped here any longer. Green smoke surrounded us, the wind swirled, and my body went weightless. The only thing weighing me down was the feel of Avalon's arms around me. Within seconds, we were back in my room, and I had no idea how he'd gotten us there so fast. But it was too silent, too still in here. The walls felt like a jail cell. My breath puffed in and out of my chest and tears threatened to spill.

"Let go of me," I hissed.

He held on tighter. "Calm, Lily."

I AM MORGANA!

"Fuck off." I snapped my head back and it connected with his nose.

His arms dropped from me, and I darted away from him. I moved to the other side of the room and faced him. Blood trickled from his nose and down his face. Yet he didn't try to stem the flow or even hold his nose in pain. He just stood there staring at me.

"Leave." I spoke through thinned lips.

"No."

I met his eyes and glared. This was his fault. He brought me here and ruined my entire life. He was the reason I'd lost my sister . . . forever. "I hate you."

"The feeling is mutual," he growled.

"You ruined my life." Those petals began to flow from my hands and fall in soft flutters.

"And now we are even." That green smoke flared around him, and his dark horns emerged from his head. He never turned away as he held my gaze and snapped his fingers. Flames burst around him and he was gone, leaving me alone in this hell.

All my life I'd always had people to take care of, my sisters at my side, and now that was over. For the first time in my life, I was utterly alone. I dropped to my knees and let the tears I'd been holding back begin to fall. I didn't know if they'd ever stop flowing. The loss I felt hit me deep in the pit of my stomach, and all I felt now was . . . empty . . . completely empty.