“We know where she is,”the duke stated.
“Good for you,” I replied.
The duke’s smile never faltered as he lifted the torch higher. “I’ll bring her right back here so you can watch me fuck her.”
Unable to suppress it, a snarl curved my lip. Veni’s eyes shone with amusement when he realized his words had gotten to me.
“It’s amusing how much you underestimate her,” I told him. “She’ll burn your tiny dick off before she ever lets it inside her.”
His smirk never wavered, but annoyance flashed through his eyes. “In case you haven’t noticed, son, I always come out on top. That’s why you’re behind bars and I’m ruling the realm.”
“I figured you always came while on top because you couldn’t control yourself.”
“You always have to run your mouth. You’re nowhere near as amusing as you think.”
“I don’t think anything; I know I’m hilarious. Your guard agrees.”
I jerked my chin at the man standing behind him. The guard had shown no reaction to our delightful banter, but now a look of horror came over his face as the duke glowered at him.
“I… uh… I don’t think he’s funny at all,” the guard stammered.
“Gaius, get this man out of here,” the duke commanded.
“Of course, milord,” Gaius said as he swept in to grab the guard’s arm.
“Wait… I didn’t do anything. I didn’t!” His panicked gaze settled on me. “Tell them!”
I didn’t know why the buffoon thought I’d help him. I smiled as I waved at him with my left hand; I wanted him to see my missing finger. “Ta-ta.”
“Fuck you!” the guard spat.
“Put him in the bailey and make sure everyone can see him. Place him in a pillory with no food or water for a week; I’ll decide what to do with him after.”
I felt no guilt over my actions as they hauled the protesting man away. That asshole had chosen the duke’s side; he could live with the consequences of abetting a monster.
When my gaze met the duke’s again, we grinned at each other. “He didn’t laugh, did he?” Veni inquired.
“Of course not; they’re too scared of you for that,” I replied.
“Hmm, too true. Sometimes, you do amuse me, son.”
“Are you going to let him go?”
“Of course not. Some time in a pillory will do him good for protesting my command. I must be off now; I have a future whore to find, and I’ve wasted too much time with you.”
This time, I managed to keep my reaction to his words hidden. “She’ll kill you.”
“Maybe, but probably not.”
The duke turned and walked away. The remaining guards dragged Paul away.
The chains around my ankles rattled when I stepped closer to the bars. He couldn’t leave yet; the more time I bought for Ellery and the others, the more likely they would be to evade the duke’s wrath.
“Veni!” I called out. “The Revenant Woods will protect her too.”
I didn’t know if this was true or not; it most likely wasn’t. The woods would protect themselves and their secrets, but he didn’t know this, and it might make him rethink going after her.
“Then I’ll have to make sure to take plenty of men with me. Goodbye, Ryker.”
