Phillip crouched along the side of the Draconian palace, the darkness of the night hiding his movements.
He’d seen her arrive. La Dame. Black hair sweeping behind her, she’d ridden up the road, her horse’s hooves thundering by. She had no guards with her, but she had no need of them with the strength of her power at her fingertips.
Phillip’s own magic leaped with the need to explode out of him as soon as he saw her. He’d held it back, choosing instead to run the short distance to the palace. La Dame entered her home moments before Phillip arrived, leaving her horse with the guards.
Alfred followed Phillip, and the king wanted to tell his old friend to go back, that he would be no match for La Dame. Alfred was only putting himself in danger.
But Phillip only had one thing on his mind. Wulfric was in trouble.
He lifted a palm, and the guards at the front doors collapsed, unconscious. He stepped over their sprawled bodies and used his power to rip open the doors.
Somewhere in the labyrinth of halls was his son. He paused, sending his magic out in waves to bring all sounds back toward him. He followed the trail of footsteps echoing against the stone. A roar tore through the air and by the time Phillip caught up, La Dame had thrown herself onto a bed where a lifeless girl lay.
A boy he didn’t recognize scrambled away, his movements sluggish. And there, in the corner was Ric and Travis. They shrank back against the wall. Ric grit his teeth as if trying to move and unable to.
Anger rose in Phillip. La Dame was using magic on his son.
He crashed into the room.
“Father!” Ric yelled, relief evident in his voice.
Alfred went to the boys as Phillip advanced on La Dame. She paid him no attention as she muttered to herself.
“Not my girl. Not Rapunzel.” Tears streaked the dark sorceress’ face. “Wake up, darling.” She cradled the girl’s body against her chest, rocking back and forth.
Phillip hesitated, feeling something other than pure hatred for the sorceress who took the life he’d wanted with Aurora.
It had been many years since he met La Dame, yet she hadn’t changed at all. Hooded eyes lifted as if noticing him for the first time.
“Basile.” The word was more a sigh on her lips than a curse. She let her gaze fall to her daughter once more.
Was the girl dead?
As if answering his question, her eyelids twitched.
Ric continued struggling against the magic keeping him pinned to the wall. Phillip waved a hand, sending his own power to cut the cord of control La Dame had.
Ric and Travis both fell forward. As soon as he righted himself, Ric ran to his father’s side. “We need her, Father. Rapunzel is our only chance of saving mother.”
To his son’s credit, there was only a tinge of fear in his voice.
La Dame’s low voice settled over them. “Leave now Phillip Basile and I will let you leave with your life.”
Rapunzel stirred to life, her eyes blinking rapidly.
“Not without Rapunzel.” Ric stepped forward, but Phillip held him back. His son was brave, but bravery often led to stupidity.
But if that girl could save Aurora, he’d do what he needed to. His magic tingled as he rubbed his fingers together, letting it pool beneath his skin, ready.
La Dame didn’t loosen her grip on the girl. “You almost killed my daughter.”
Ric ground his teeth together. “You mean like you do every time she faces punishment? You’re supposed to love her. You can’t keep her here with magic.”
La Dame growled. “You’re walking on dangerous ground, boy.” She settled her gaze on Phillip. “I suggest you take your son home, Phillip. You know what I’m capable of.”
“Aurora is dying.” He didn’t know why he felt the need to tell her except maybe to see if she’d care. She had plans for Aurora that went beyond one hundred years of slumber.
Sadness flashed across her face, but it was gone so quickly he wondered if he’d imagined it. “That’s a shame.” Her shoulders tensed, and she rose from the bed. “Come then. Let’s return to Bela.”
Phillip’s entire body shook at the thought of La Dame setting foot in his palace; the idea that she’d be near Aurora once more. His magic seeped out of his fingers, curling in the air around him, living and breathing and leaving his control altogether. His power slammed into La Dame, sending her tumbling from the bed.
She cursed and rolled to her feet, ready for a fight. Phillip advanced, preparing to strike. Every bit of magic he sent her way met an invisible wall, protecting her from his power.
He knew the trick well. Before he’d gained his ancestral power, shields had been the only thing he could create. And he knew exactly how to break them.
Distraction.
“Ric,” he yelled.
As if reading his mind, Ric ran toward the bed. Alfred tossed a knife into the air, and Ric caught it mid-stride before he jumped onto the bed and holding the blade to the girl’s neck. She barely lifted her head. Practically dying must have weakened her. She didn’t fight off Ric as he dug the blade into her skin, drawing blood.
A whimper left her mouth.
The unknown boy in the room tried to get to her, but Alfred held him back.
La Dame flicked her eyes to her daughter, her concentration snapping. In that moment, Phillip threw everything he had at her. The full force of his power hit her chest like a battering ram, determined to break through her will.
She screamed and fell back, clutching at her chest. Phillip didn’t let up until what felt like a knife twisted in his gut. He looked down but hadn’t been stabbed. La Dame twisted her magic further. Agony radiated through his body.
He clenched his teeth, determined not to let his power falter.
“Stop,” Ric screamed. He held the knife over Rapunzel’s heart, the tip making an indent in her skin. Blood ran down onto her dress. Still, she didn’t move.
She gazed up at Ric, something in her eyes that surprised Phillip. Trust? Acceptance? Was La Dame’s daughter giving Ric permission?
La Dame froze, baring her teeth. She lifted a palm.
Phillip crafted a shield with his power and extended it to envelop his son. La Dame would be able to break through it, but not before Ric did what he had to do.
And the knowledge of that sparked in La Dame’s eyes.
Phillip had to do something and quickly. Back when it was just him and Aurora in the woods, she’d explained La Dame’s curses to him. The sorceress was ancient, and she enjoyed controlling the lives of others, molding them to her will. Deals with her were dangerous because she couldn’t resist dire consequences, ones no one saw coming. You couldn’t predict her actions or the implications of her curses.
“Fine. Save her!” The words were out of him before he could call them back. “Please.”
The only way they were getting out of here was if La Dame herself accompanied them as she wanted to. They were taking her back to Bela.