It's almost as if the heavens knew that we were speaking of Agnis as the whole palace begins to rumble. The chandelier above the conference table begins to shake vigorously as the diamonds that drip down threaten to fall.

"We don't have enough time," I say barely above a whisper. "There's no time," I repeat and try to scavenge my mind for any sort of plan that ceases to exist. I knew that this was all too good to be true... I had become too complacent. 

"We do, there is always enough time. I don't know how but we will figure this out," Darian promises and the chandelier snaps from the ceiling. It almost seems to happen in slow motion as I watch it fall. 

I turn my face to the side and crouch as diamonds fly everywhere and pierce my skin. I had thought it was over until the windows smashed and large gusts of wind ran in from the darkness outside. 

For once in my life, I have no real hope. Agnis is channelling the power of dozens of witches who are centuries old. Having that power does not come easy but comes as a challenge. A challenge that will decide our fate... whether we live or die.

"If your able to come up with a plan that will take down such a person then go ahead. But, odds are that we have no luck and that we are only awaiting our death," I shout over the wind and crashing. 

"No one is dying tonight... we have lost too many people already but we will not run away from this. This is my court and if I have to I will sacrifice myself so that this blasted bitch doesn't take it down," another large gust sweeps through the room and I hold my hands over my ears.

I admire how much Darian cares for his court but I'm not sure if he is being a martyr or if he is truly being brave. Either way, if we all die tonight... at least we won't die in vain.

"We need to leave this room and find as many guards as we can," I shout across to Darian and he nods his head. Several shards of glass splinter my skin but it is pain that is bearable and that I can deal with later on. 

Our most prominent problem as of now is trying to make sure that everyone in the Kingdom is protected and ready for a night of hell. 

Darian and I manage to leave the room without any further complications - both of us picking glass out of our skin as we try to casually stroll down the corridor in order to not alarm anyone. 

"I'll have Manin send out messages to everyone necessary who can help protect both of our courts. I will make sure that your court does not suffer at the hands of our lack of judgement. Everything will work out in the end," Darian is nothing but the epitome of calm.

However, I, on the other hand - my hands shake violently at my sides and my heart pounds in my chest. I envy how Darian can be so calm and collected in such a time of crisis. It makes me look like I can't handle a thing. 

I'm all too aware of the sound of my shoes patting against the floor, the sound of my inhales and exhales, the feeling of my pulse rapidly increasing. This is all too much for me but I knew the risks when I had accepted my father's bargain as he laid on his death bed. 

When I soon after had caused his death by thinking that I was helping him. Really, this is all of my faults. If I hadn't accepted my father's bargain then I wouldn't have travelled to Darian's court, then I wouldn't have been poisoned and I wouldn't have accidentally killed Aelin.

Something that I did uncontrollably has caused such a bloody course of events. 

"Do not let your mind wander... that is what will get you killed," Darian whispers as we round the corner and head to Manin's quarters. 

"That's the hardest part," I mutter to myself and we reach Manin's door. Darian pounds on it and Manin opens it within mere seconds. His face is pale with concern and his hair ruffled telling me that we have probably just disturbed his sleep. 

"What can I help you with, Sire?" Manin quickly asks and Darian explains the whole situation. Telling him about Agnis and how we need as many bodies as we can acquire. "I'm straight on it."

Manin agrees without a second thought and I ponder on the fact that he is so dedicated to his court and to Darian that he will go into a battle blindly. My respect for Manin is endless and I hate that I have caused so much bother. 

Darian thanks him before he sets off down the hall without another word. "I'll send word to everyone to stay safe but you need to find Serene... she'll protect you," Darian nods and I furrow my brows. Serene? 

"What do you mean Sere-" Darian cuts me off. 

"Enough. Go find her and for the love of god... please stay safe," with that Darian parts with a kiss on my forehead. I watch his retreating figure as he continues down the corridor, not once looking back. 

Turning on my heel, I set off to find Serene but also make sure that I keep a low profile as I go. A crash sounds down the hall and I make a point to fasten my pace. That is until another crash sounds but it is beside me this time. 

I'm practically sprinting down the corridors as the room crash and break around me. Gods, this really is my death day. Another sounds behind me and I try not to get myself into a panic. 

It's when that same invisible force wraps around my neck and my feet are physically bolted to the floor that I know panic all too well. 

"And we meet again... Nova Amour," her voice is croaky and plagued with age. However, the power running through her fingertips is enough to make her youth eternal. I'm not sure anyone will ever be able to kill this woman.

My hands instinctively reach to my neck, trying to claw at the nothingness. My airways are restricted and I immediately notice my vision blurring at the edges. 

As quickly as I can, I unsheathe the knife from my thigh and strike it her way. I am sure that it is about to land beautifully in her heart until she catches it with her bare hand. The steel of the knife bends in her palm as her face remains unfazed. 

"You thought that you could kill me? How foolish can you be to even waste a breath... you know how powerful you have made me now. I should be thanking you really," Agnis begins stepping towards me as she twirls the tip of the knife on the pad of her finger. 

The force finally releases my chokehold and I drop to the floor in a coughing heap. I try to gasp for as much air as I can - not sure when she is going to decide she wants to strangle me again.

"Yes, you should be thanking me because this is the only thing you are going to be known for. Your whole coven is killed and you use their remembrance by stealing their powers and going on a killing spree," I barely manage to say. 

Agnis grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks me to look at her. "You rotten child," she spits and slaps me harshly across the face. I conceal the pain that surges through my cheek and let her think that her hitting me was nothing other than what it was. 

"You rotten bitch," I goad her on and use all of the strength I can muster to punch her in the stomach. Something I have never seen before in my life happens.

I watch as my punch propels Agnis all the way to the very end of the corridor. How in the heavens did I do that? I look down to see my hands aglow and I don't seem to look at them with the same hatred as I had previously. 

Declaring that I have no time for thinking, I continue running down the corridor. I mean I can at least try to outrun her but I doubt that will help anything. My legs ache as I seem to run in endless circles not seeming to find a way out. 

It's when I find that I am suddenly in the meeting hall do I begin to panic even more. Something moves in the corner of my eye and I see Darian tied against a pillar.

I don't think twice as I run towards him and begin trying to untie him. "Gods, what happened?" I barely manage to ask as I fail to unravel him. 

"Don't even bother... Agnis cursed them with a spell that will allow them to never be unbound. It is my punishment for loving you - that I will never be able to leave this palace," Darian says and his eyes meet mine. 

I have no clue what to say other than, "I'm so sorry." Once again, someone suffering ties back to me and the things that I have done. I wish for nothing more than to have my actions not cause at least one person endless suffering. 

"Quit with your sorrow party," Agnis sings through the hall, her voice echoing. I slowly back away from Darian and she lets out a cackle. "Continue your goodbyes, you're going to need to because she is dying tonight and I am going to make you watch as I kill your lover."

My eyes meet Darian's and I can't help but send him a face full of panic. Darian tries to tug at the ropes around his wrists but to no avail. 

Agnis begins walking towards me but with every step she takes forward, I take two steps back. "Stay the hell away from her or so help me god... I will ruin the very bain of your existence," he continues to tug at the ropes and I force myself to look away. 

"If it means that you will leave this court untouched and my own court untouched... I don't care what you have to do," I whisper and Agnis's smile only widens - flashing those yellow stained teeth that are shaped like razors. 

"I only ever wanted you to die, young child. You think that I wanted to spend my years partaking in a blood feud? Yes, it is rather riveting but I only came here, for one thing, tonight and that is to make sure that I watch you take your last final breath."

I am about to say something until she strangles me again and the same force throws me into a pillar on the other side of the room. As soon as my back hits the hard rock, the breath is knocked out of me and my head slams against the floor. 

"Stop! Please... I will do anything but just please... stop!" Darian shouts as I manage to get up from my position on the floor.

My body is screaming and writhing in pain but I will not go down without a fight. Agnis storms towards me and lunges but I duck and throw a forceful blow to her ribs. She cries out in pain and I thank the heavens for granting me at least one blow to her body. 

Agnis soon realises that I will beat her in mortal combat so she turns back to those powers brewing inside of her. Her eyebrows screw together and she pushes her hands out, palms facing me. 

I am confused as to what is happening but it all makes sense when I hear the sound of something snapping and I feel myself drop to the floor.