Free The Shadow Prince by Stacey O'Neale Page B

myself not to look away even though my insides twisted into tight knots. She expected me not to watch. To be weak. But I refused. An executioner, wearing a black mask to cover his face, came to stand at her side with the axe in hand. He glanced up at Taron, awaiting his command.
    Taron stood. “Do you have any last words, Prisma?” he asked.
    Mother remained silent.
    “Very well,” Taron replied, waving his hand at the executioner.
    He nodded, raising the axe over his head.
    I inhaled deeply, forgetting to let it out. It seemed as if I had slipped into a dream. Everyone around me was motionless. I was numb; I couldn't move even if I wanted to. Why had it come to this? All of it could have been prevented by mother expressing her concerns to the council. Now, because of her foolishness, I had to watch the only parent I'd ever known die.
    The executioner swung the axe, but instead of taking off Mother’s head, it sunk into the chest of the closest knight. A cloaked woman ran to my mother. She gripped the cuffs around mother’s wrists. Fire burned out of her hands, melting the iron shackles. Her hood dropped back—Selene. Other fire elementals hidden under yellow robes blasted balls of fire into the crowd. Screams erupted as panic ensued.
    “Guards,” the king shouted. Knights raced in from every doorway with blades raised. Within seconds, Taron was gone; taken to safety using a hidden doorway.
    During the mayhem the executioner pulled a knife out of his side pocket, slicing the neck of the closest knight. I knew it was Valac before he ripped off his mask. Selene wouldn't have done this without him. My fists clenched at my sides. This was his idea.
    He helped Mother to her feet, then shot a line of fire into the crowd, creating a pathway to one of the exit doors. They both took one of her arms over their shoulders heading toward the exit.
    No way was I going to let this happen. Rage overtook me. My fingertips ignited into burning flames. I flung my robes over my head, the cloth catching fire. By the time it reached the ground all that was left were shreds of charred fabric. I unsheathed my sword, pushing my way through the crowd. One of the fire elementals stepped in my way. A ball of fire formed in each of his hands, but before he could throw them I plunged my iron sword into his belly. His skin seared, still smoking even after I pulled back. He collapsed onto the ground.
    I ducked as an air elemental used her wind magic, flinging her attacker into the adjacent wall. Swords scraped against one another while pained cries filled the room. I put my hand over my mouth; the air reeked of burnt flesh. I couldn't see my siblings but I didn't stop shoving my way forward. A male fire elemental cornered a cowering air female. He was about to burn her when I sliced my weapon into the side of his neck, partially decapitating him. Blood smeared across my blade, lightly splattering my face. I wiped it off with the back of my hand.
    The world around me faded away when I caught up to my siblings. They were moving much slower than before. They had used too much of their element; they were physically weakened. As they were about to exit I stood between them and the door. Mother's head hung low with her eyes closed. I pointed my weapon at Valac's throat and said, “You're not taking her anywhere.”
    “Please don't do this, Rowan.” Selene begged, tears ready to release. “She's your Mother.”
    Her plea made my soul ache. Selene had been the one sibling I had a decent relationship with. She didn't take up for me as I was being punished, but she refused to watch me suffer—unlike Valac. If she were stronger, she might have helped. But she was afraid. “After what she did to me, how can you ask me to step aside?”
    Valac gripped a knife in his side pocket. “Get out of our way!” he shouted.
    Just as I was about to respond Mother came to life, lunging at me. There was no time to think as the adrenaline kicked in. I pulled back on