Looking at me, Fabia’s laughter fades.“You owe me big time.”
“The biggest.”I start to lean down when she grabsmy arm.
Quickly releasingmewith a shake of her head, shesays, “Wait.I’ll go get some serviettes.”
“Okay but hurry.”
As sheleaves, myattentiongoesback to Richard.He’s sittingat the head of the table lining theGreatHall.He’stalking to the Vylian king,but his eyesareon me.Hot and smouldering.
Feeling bold, I raisea hand to my lips and suck in two fingers.The challenge in his eyesleavesme shaken.
“Oh, ew, stop,” Fabia protestsas shestandsbeside me.
Jerking my fingers out of my mouth, I snatch thenapkinsfrom her and bendover to grab the toy.As I crouch there on the floor, I really wish Niflhel would open up below me and swallow me whole.When itdoesn’t, I slowly rise.
“Make sure it’s wrapped well,”she says.
“I’m going to need more serviettes,” I mumble beneath my breath.
“What?”
Squirming with embarrassment, I repeatita bit louder.
Pretending to gag, she walksback to the table.
Oh my gods, Iamgoing to have to ghost my best friend.
Move country.
Go into hiding.
Never come out again.
Or die.
That’llwork.And itdoesn’teven seem that bad anymore.
When shecomesback, I swap the wet serviettes over for dry ones, wrap it well, and then hand it to her.Shuddering, she opensa pocket in her suit bottoms, and I shove it in.
“You owe me your-first-born-child level of owing,”she says.Grabbing my arm, she pullsme away from everyone else.“Now tell me about the books,” shesayssoftly.“First, why?I thought you liked him.”Dropping my arm,my bestieshakesher hand as if it’sdirty.
“I do.”
“But?”
I hesitate, not wanting to tell her.She’sreally settled in here: joining the guard, making new friends, finally finding a home that acceptsher for her.Idon’twant to ruin that.And I don’t even want to kill him anymore.
“Arienna.I have your fucking toy in my pocket.You better start talking.”
Looking down at my feet, I mumble, “He’s planning on killing me.”
“What?”
Sighing, I pull her further away from the party and lower my voice.“According to Ajax, my execution is still going through.Richard didn’t cancel it because he doesn’t want to share the throne.”
Her face pales.Then it hardens.“For fuck’s sake, girl,” she growls, shaking her head.“Why in Hel’s name are you letting him shove toys up your vagina then?”
I wince, doubting she’lltake, ‘he’s really fucking hot’ as a good defence.It soundslike a bad defence to me, and I’mthe one enjoying it.“Well…” I say, floundering.“Wouldyouwant to die withKarl’s dick being the lastyou’veever had?”I grab her shoulders.“Fabia, he lastedfourseconds and had my mum’s and my sister’svaginason it.”
