Page 57 of Wings of Snow

“It’s not...anyone...here,” she panted. “Drachu. It’sDrachu. He’s sucking my affinities.”

CHAPTER 17 - ILARA

Pain. Pain. Oh gods, thepain.

I doubled over again, groaning and clutching at my stomach. Drachu was yanking on my affinities so viciously that I could barely see.

No. No! Too much.He’s taking too much too fast.

Ripping agony tore through me again as though someone was cleaving my belly open with a hot knife. The Lochen king was pulling so much, so quickly. My stomach was tearing apart.

Panting breaths escaped me.

My vision blurred.

Power undulated from my mate as his four guards surrounded me in fighting positions. Their swords were still in their hands, yet those weapons were entirely useless.

“My love,” Norivun said. Terror twisted his features. “Tell me what to do.”

All of the Nolus fae around us had fled completely, leaving the street empty.

Clutching my stomach, I shook my head. “I don’t know.”

Norivun’s eyes flashed wide as another wrench on my affinities had me falling.

He snarled in fury and caught me just before I hit the cobblestones.

I curled into a ball in his arms and bit my tongue to keep from screaming.

“Ilara? Fuck...Ilara?” He cradled me to his chest. “Can you fight it? Push him off somehow?”

“No. Don’t... know... how.” I panted as another moan vibrated from my throat, then everything around me became a blur.

Can’t take it. Can’t take it.

Too much.

I’m going to die.

Magic flew out of me. It was entirely unnatural. Too destructive. Drachu was draining me. Killing me. I was being ripped apart.

He’s taking my very essence.

My eyes drooped.

My heart slowed.

Oh gods.

“Dammit, he’s takingeverythingfrom her,” the prince snarled.

My eyes closed more.Sleep. Go to sleep. Yes, sleep will make it go away.

In a wink, my wings disappeared.

Someone gasped.

“Her wings—” Sandus said just as Norivun lifted me.