Falsified (Tarnished Book 2)

28 Phoenix Fire

I cannot pass out. I straightened every muscle even as painful as it was to stand.

Not this time you don't.

My body would not fail me because my will to fight will not be demolished by his ploys.

"Your Highness, you should not push yourself. It is likely you will relapse if you force yourself."

"I don't care anymore," I answered Ravela's concern. "I will break my bones and bleed myself dry if that is what it takes." The pain in my chest intensified so much I cringed. I collapsed to the grass on my knees. One hand clutching on my chest and the other one supporting me from falling face down in the ground. "I will stop when I am dead, bastard. I will not yield my will, body, or soul to you."

"This is not the time for your delusions." Zazi snidely remarked. "It would be interesting to see you die but that is not His Majesty's will." He sighed heavily. "Gavin go get Mesmer."

I heard Gavin run off to find Mesmer.

I broke down with tears. The burning aches scorched me inside and out while I thought of all I will lose in this fight. "I cannot lose. If I do, it will be worse than death." I sucked in a shallow breath and exhaled. "I must get stronger than before, please." I raised my head toward the sky. I prayed something could give me the strength to find the answers about the Revival and what the Doppelganger means by releasing him. "That bastard will pay for this, he will pay for all of it."

"Your Highness, you are unwell. There is no one here."

I glared at Ravela. "Oh, he is still listening. Stop acting the part of a king and reveal the beast you are!" I attempted to lunge but faltered falling to the ground. Forcing my body, I got up. "You are enjoying this; I know you are! You demented fiend; you should find some humanity before I find the way to run you through."

Ravela did not grin like I was hoping instead his eyes dully gleamed. He stepped over to me and I moved back. "What has gotten into you, Your highness? I have not done a thing to you meriting this violent reaction."

I stumbled unevenly with a dried-out throat. So, thirsty I could burn myself. I made a rough gulp. Suddenly, the air felt smothered with heat. I could still feel the invisible pain from the nightmare in my chest. Everything felt coated in burns. "Stop hiding in that poor excuse for human skin, you can fool those around you but not me." I bit back the feverish pains all over my skin and focused on Ravela.

Mesmer and Gavin came running up, but far too late to stop what was brewing inside me.

"Kid, you need to stop. Your magic hasn't recovered yet."

Ignoring him, I felt something burst inside me and out around into the air. Flames shot out from around me while my eyes were intent upon the Old Crow's horror. "You think I am falling for your concern, demon? Think again, this prince has a grievance to deal from his deck." The air around me on fire while I felt it guarding me. I trudged toward him. "You incurred my wrath for all the lives you made me watch perish before me, and there is no greater purpose to a life hellbent on destroying the world I want to live in."

My mind was set to implode this demon. He was not going to get away from his sins, and nor would I allow him another chance to torment me.

I summoned my strength into the flames and a large ball of blazing flames formed in front of me. "You will make me watch as you destroy the world I adore, then I am willing to vanquish you from it permanently." I threw the blazing orb at Ravela and he attempted to push it back at me, but I glared at him. The orb crushed into his chest as he howled at the intensity of its radiance. "Accept your punishment from the person you so profess is more important than the lives of people you play with."