by Lia Davis
Nothing happened, and she sagged against the wall. She would not give up. She and Finn would stop Quinn and Sana, but they needed to be connected to do so. Separate, they were weak compared to the evil couple.
“Ava.”
Her heart jumped to her throat. “Finn!”
“Thank the gods. I feel you, and Charles has your scent. We’re on our way.”
The door opened, and Ave glared at Sana as she entered with a smirk on her face. “You can try to escape, but you won’t get far. You see, by getting into my head like you did yesterday, you linked us together. I can find you anywhere.”
Not if I kill you. “Is that supposed to threaten me in some way?”
Sana narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. “Did you think by bonding with the Morna King you would be strong enough to fight me?”
Ava had to figure out a way to keep the female out of her head. “What do you want besides world destruction and to be Queen Bitch?”
Sana waved away Ava’s words, but it appeared to bother her more than she wanted to admit. Good. That told Ava she was getting to her. “Now, name-calling isn’t any way to talk to your sister.”
Why was she stalling? Ava glanced to the open door behind Sana, causing the female to move into her line of sight. Hmm. She was definitely up to something. “Cut the shit, Sana.”
“You are as strong-willed as your parents.” Sana stepped closer while Ava’s heart skipped several beats. A sad yet satisfying laugh filled the room as Sana continued. “Your father didn’t die of old age. One, he wasn’t human and couldn’t grow old. I do have to give him some points for protecting you, though. The stubborn bastard never plead for his life while I cut off the blood flow to his heart.”
Ava fisted her hands at her sides while tears filled her eyes and a lump lodged in her throat. “You’re lying.”
Sana tsked. “You know I’m not. As for your mother, or our mother, she killed herself before I could rip her mind open to find you.” Sana’s eyes flashed black for a moment, and she rushed toward Ava, gripping her by the throat and pinning her to the wall. “You should be thankful they loved you so much they hid your destiny from you. Thank them for allowing you to grow up weak, like a human.”
Fury mounted, igniting the flame deep in Ava’s soul. Heat spread throughout her body like it had the day she’d burned Quinn. She welcomed it and willed it to grow. Kenia’s words entered her thoughts.
“You may depend on the sun and moon for your magick, but your power also comes from your heart, your emotions. Your passion. You can do anything you desire.”
Sana said she’d stopped Ava’s father’s heart by cutting off the blood flow. Ava wondered if she could do the same. Ava gripped the wrist of Sana’s hand that was wrapped around her throat. Sana’s pulse beat strong under her fingers, so she focused on slowing it down.
After a few moments, it did, and Sana jerked away, releasing her hold on Ava. Taking advantage of her sister’s distraction, Ava thrust a fireball at her. Sana dodged it. The ball hit the wall in the hallway and exploded into a fiery blanket, coating the walls and floors.
Not waiting for the female to react, Ava charged her. She hit Sana in the stomach and knocked her to the ground. Wrapping her fingers around her neck, Ava squeezed and said, “I wish you would lose all your power and ability to use magick. For my parents and all those you ever hurt, that is the least you deserve.”
The words just tumbled from her lips without her thinking about what she was really saying. She was so angry, the only punishment short of death she could think of was for Sana to live as a mortal. No magick. Nothing but a shell in a magickal world.
The onyx Kenia had given her, which Ava had hung around her neck earlier that morning, vibrated against her skin. Ava instantly wrapped her free hand around it. Sana saw it, and her eyes grew round. In between gasps of air, Sana said, “You don’t know what you just did.”
Huh? A moment later, Sana’s magickal signature dulled, then faded into nothing. Ava released her and stood. Did she just take her sister’s powers from her?
Just then, shouts echoed from down the hallway. Ava turned to the door, only to take a step back. The flames were twice their original size and spreading fast. Okay, think. Finn had said she was elemental. Glancing back inside the room, she caught a glimpse of the hole in the wall. Wind. No, that would only fuel the fire.
She needed water. Yet, Kenia had said Ava could do anything she desired. Hesitantly, she reached into the flames and was surprised that they didn’t burn her. “I will the fire to stop.”
Slowly, the flames lowered until they faded completely. Wow.
“Ava!”
She glanced up at Finn’s voice and tears filled her eyes. “Finn.” She ran to him and threw her arms around him. “Where’s Quinn?”
His guards stalked down the hall from different directions, each one shaking their heads. As if the mention of his name had summoned him, Quinn appeared at the end of the hallway. With an evil snear and a growl, he threw an energy bolt at them.
On instinct, Ava threw up her hand, raising a circle, blocking them from Quinn. When the bolt hit the shield, it bounced back and slammed into Quinn’s chest. The male fell to the ground, unmoving.
Once Ava took down the circle, Kellam glanced into the room. “What are we to do with her?”
“She’s no threat anymore. I took her powers from her. Although, I’m not sure just how I did it. I say send her to Kenia so she can learn to be nice and to live without magick. Like all the people of Edra have had to do for so long.” Ava glanced at Finn and then drew her brows together. “If that is what you want to do. You are King, after all.”
Finn snaked his arms around her waist and tugged her to him so their bodies meshed together. Desire heated her insides, and she ached to get him alone. One dark brow rose and he smiled as if knowing where her thoughts had gone. “And you are Queen. Your word is law, as well.”
“Well, then we need to consult with Willow too since Sana is also a Calim.”
Finn nodded. “We can. For now, Sana will go to your great-aunt. If Willow wishes, and thinks death is more suitable, I’ll honor her word.”
Ava frowned. She wasn’t sure she could ever order anyone to death. Well, except for Quinn. He deserved what he got, even though it was self-defense.
“Hey.” Finn cupped her chin and turned her face to his. “You restored the magick.”
“What? How?”
With a gentle tug, Finn steered her down the hall. “You were right about Quinn cursing Edra and blocking the magick. I’m not sure how he did it, but the moment he died, I felt the snap of the curse breaking. I can feel the magick around us, and I know it’s only stronger at home.”
A smile formed on her mouth and her heart swelled. The elves of Edra had their lives back. The war was finally over, and the aftermath was no more. She was free to go home.
Home? She was home. These were her people, her family. She belonged in Edra.
Coming to a stop, she framed Finn’s face. “I’m falling in love with you. I’m not sure I’ll make a good Queen, but I’m willing to try.”
His face brightened with happiness. “I fell in love with you the moment I saw you.” He kissed her and scooped her up in his arms. A moment later, they materialized in his bedroom at the palace.
“Welcome home, my Queen.”
The End
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About the Author
In 2008, Lia Davis ventured into the world of writing and publishing and never looked back. She has published more than twenty books, including the bestselling A Tiger’s Claim, book one in her fan favorite As
hwood Falls series. Her novels feature compassionate yet strong alpha heroes who know how to please their women and her leading ladies are each strong in their own way. No matter what obstacle she throws at them, they come out better in the end.
While writing was initially a way escape from real world drama, Lia now makes her living creating worlds filled with magic, mystery, romance, and adventure so that others can leave real life behind for a few hours at a time.
Lia’s favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers, but it’s her home and she loves it! Sign up for her newsletter, become a member of her fan club, and follow her on Twitter @NovelsByLia.
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Other Books by Lia Davis
Paranormals
Ashwood Falls Series
Winter Eve
A Tiger’s Claim
A Mating Dance
Surrendering to the Alpha
A Rebel’s Heart
Divided Loyalties
Touch of Desire
A Leopard’s Path
Jaguar’s Judgment
Birchwood Pack
An Alpha’s Fate
Bears of Blackrock
Bear Essentials
Bear Magick
A Beary Sweet Holiday
Sons of War Series
War’s Passion
Ashes of War
Artemis’s Hunt
Chaotic War
Sons of War Box Set: Volume One
Shifting Magick Trilogy
Moon Curse
Moon Kissed
Moon Mated
Shifting Magick Trilogy box set
Blood and Stone (Vampire Lords)
It’s A Vampire Christmas
Contemporaries
Pleasures of the Heart Series
Business Pleasures
Single Titles
His Guarded Heart
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
About the Author
Other Books by Lia Davis
