Mylefthand is swollen, one of the knuckles cracked, but I relish the pain as I drag Karl’s ass into the ensuite of one of the royal guest rooms.I’d prefer to have this conversation elsewhere, but the coward keeps pissing himself whenever I open my mouth.The least he can do is relieve himself somewhere it’s easy to clean.
“Bathtub, now,” I growl as I shove him across the dark-grey tiles.Icatcha glimpse of myself in theblack-trimmedmirror.Blood cakeshalf my facefrom my spar with Jace an hour ago.Nasty bruises cover the rest.But the throbbing in my skull hasnothing to do with the pain in my jaw and everything to do with this piece of shit in front of me.
Scratch that.A piece of shitisuseful.It marksterritory.It helpsfertilise the ground.Itcanbe used as a weapon, coating arrows and daggers.But this guy?He’sabsolutely fucking worthless.Killing himwillbe a kindnessto the world, and for a moment, I imagine opening up his neck and spilling his life all over the tub.
But then I remember Arienna’s words.Haunting me still.
Crossing my arms, I waitfor him to settle.“There aren’t any rules in a fairy ring.You can do whatever you want to survive.Skin me alive, pluck out my eyeballs and juggle them.Kick me in the balls.The rules of honourable combat do not apply, and there won’t be any punishments for committing a war crime.”
Piss flowsdown the drain.Of course it fuckingdoes.The surpriseishow hehasanything left inside him.Whatisthis,the fourth pee in a couple of hours?Granted, itisn’ta lot each time, but dear gods, how quickishis bladder?And how in Hel’s namedidmy wife want tomarryhim?
“He’s not a monster like you!”
Even with that in consideration, there’sno way in Niflhel Iamworse than this sorry lump of life.
Except, in her eyes Iam.
Shifting uncomfortably, I continue, “Once we enter the ring, the only way for you to exit is by killing me.”I wave a hand down my body, ending on theknife woundonmy thigh.Blood crustsmy clothes.“To make it fair, I won’t be using a healing wand beforehand.Nor will I use a weapon, whereas you’ll have the choice of whatever you want.”
“Please…” he begs, his lips trembling.
I scoff.“You don’t think that’s fair?”
Heshakeshis head madly.Snot bubblesdown his nose and into his mouth.“I’m sorry.I’m so sorry.I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“But you did mean to insult Arienna.”
He sobswildly, hiccuping and gasping and putting on all the waterworks.“She… bro-bro-broke my… my h-h-heart.”
Never haveI wanted to destroya person’svoice box more than Idonow, and I’velistened to Nicholas sing.My brothercan’tcarry a tune to save his life.
“I thought you brownies had a rule about lying?”I drawl.
“I’m not!I…I d-d-did love her –”
“Pussy?”I cut in dryly.Because there’sno way heknowsanything else about her.He wouldn’t have cheated on herotherwise, wouldn’t have thrown away such a gift.
He nods, and ittakesevery bit of my control not to kill him here and now.The bastard shouldn’t have the luxury of breathing the same air as my queen.And oncehe’s gone, I’mcompletely guttingand redecorating this room.Idon’twant his stench anywhere in the castle.
“She’s so ti–”
“Another word, and I won’t give a damn about what she wants.I’ll drag your ass to a fairy ringright now.”
He swallowshard, hisblueeyes wide.
“You have two options: either accept my challenge to enter a fairy ring, or…” I pausejust to make him squirm.“You can tell me how to woo her.”
His mouthfallsopen as he gaspsfor air.Arienna’s air.My eyes narrow.“Choose before I choose for you.”
When silenceishis only answer – though not for lack of trying, Itakea step forward.
“I asked her to dance!”he blurts.Shaking violently, he liftshis eyes to mine in a silent plea for mercy.
Doesn’the know monstersdon’tgive mercy?
“What else?”
He gulps, tears and snot streaming down his face.“Then I took her to dinner.And I – I br-br-brought her–” Another gulp.“Shrooms.”
