“Lief,” shesayshappilyfrom the top of the dais.
“Ari, babe!”
A low growl rises in my throat.Idon’tlike thatAriennaknowshim, and I sure as heldon’tlike that hefeelslike heknowsher enough to use a nickname.
“You’ll address her as ‘Your Majesty’,” I growl.“Anything else and I will cut out your fucking tongue.”
“Richard?”shesays, turning to me in surprise.
But my eyesdon’tleave him.My free hand twitcheswith theneed to draw a knife as I remember what crimegot him put on King Openhai and Queen Hurvan’s list.
He’sa rapist.
Nowall Icanthink aboutishis hands on my wife.His cock.Her being too polite to tell him to stop.
Anothergrowl escapesme.
Lieftakesafewstepsback.“Okay, okay, chill,” hesays, holding up his hands.“I’ll call her Your Majesty.”
“What do you want?”I snap, wanting him out of here.Needing him out of here before I fucking kill himin front of my queen.“Actually, you know what?I don’t fucking care.Say one word and I’ll kill you.”
“Richard!”Turning to me,Ariennaplacesa hand over my heart.“What’s wrong?”
She cupsmy face, drawing my eyes to her.Concern and confusion looksback at me from two pink pools.But thereisn’tany fear, shame, or a desire to be out of this asshat’s presence.
“Talk to me,” she murmurs.
Looking into her eyes, I knowLief hasn’t touched her.A small portion of my tension eases.
“How do you know him?”I ask softly.“Butdon’t say his fucking name.”
My queen frowns.“He liveson my street.Well, he did before his house burned down.”
“What happened to it?”
She ducksher head.
“Arienna,” Isay, stressing her name, warning her not to test me on this.
Sheblowsout a breath,then lowersher voice.“Fabia burned it down.”
“Fabia…”
The fucking bastard.
My eyes shift over her to him.
He’s fuckingsmiling.
Rising from my throne, I releasemy wife’s hand.I’mon him inagodsdamnsecond.A knifeappearsin my hand.Then itdisappearsintohis stomach.My armwrapsaround the back of his neckasIyank him in close.“Just relax,” Isnarlinto his ear.“It won’t be as bad then.”Yanking the knife up, I hit his ribcage.I pull back to aim again when a scream shattersmy resolve.
Shoving him away, I turntowards the noise.Ariennaissprawled out on the floor at the base of the stairs, cradling her arm and crying.
“Get him out of hereand to a healer,” Jace ordersas hesteps in so I can step away.“And grab a cleaning wand.”
I lungeinto the air.Threeflaps of my wingshaveme landing beside my queen.“Where does it hurt?”I demand as Lief’s screams fade behind me.If he caused her to hurt herself by rushing down the stairs to save his pathetic skin, I’mgoing to skin him alive.
“Ow, ow, ow,” she cries, her face mostly hidden by her hair.
