“You see, little sister. Your Valahant is a part of you, almost as if they were you.” When Adastrus’ fist collided with Sainte’s face, blood spurted from his nose, an angry welt forming on his cheek.
This wasn’t about Sainte or any bones he might have with him.
It was about me.
“Truly brother, if you want to strike me, I’m right here.” My voice shook with anger. It was reckless, but I couldn’t care less.
Adastrus turned and Sainte’s heaving breaths filled the silence. His sickly green eyes locked on to mine as he raised his hand, licking the blood from it like a cat would clean its paw. Disgust surged through me, and I couldn’t hide my grimace.
“Oh no, sweet sister. I would not hit you.” The malice in his words hinted at other forms of torment. “I’m merely teaching you a lesson. Remember our last? You were such a good student.”
I struggled to maintain composure, forcing myself to stay calm. I couldn’t lash out. Impulsivity was not an option. It would endanger both my life and Sainte’s.
But if I was ever given the chance…
I would kill him.
“I remember it well. Will you provide me a velebond, or must I seek out a common smithy?”
Adastrus made a sound of contemplation as he tapped his jaw, turning back to Sainte.
No, no, no.
My brother gestured for a servant to leave, and they scurried off. He then circled behind once more, resting his head on Sainte’s shoulder, casting asidelong glance my way. Despite his bleeding nose, swelling eye, and ragged breath, Captain Nytestorm stood resolute.
“Have you bedded him?”
My cheeks flushed with fresh anger as my hands balled into tighter fists, nails biting into my skin.
He smirked. “Not yet then, I see.”
“Whom I bed is none of your concern, nor anyone else’s,” I spat, thrusting my chin up.
“So long as you take the blood tea, perhaps not. But remember–” He snapped his fingers, as if recalling something, then returned to Sainte’s front. “When you rut like dogs in heat, do be silent. Not everyone wants to hear a howling bi—” he snapped his knee up but Sainte's powerful thighs caught the strike before it hit true. Adastrus stumbled, bracing himself on Sainte’s shoulders. A calm, deadly storm swirled over his features.
“Careful, Captain.” He leaned close, resting his forehead against his. “Treason is but a breath away.”
A sickening feeling churned in my stomach as Sainte relaxed, letting him go. My brother grinned and patted his shoulder, as if this entire scene were a jest.
Fury boiled within, fueled by the helplessness of the moment. Adastrus planted a hatred in me I’d never felt before. I would claim the throne, not for power, but to shield Sainte from such malice. This growing contempt only strengthened my resolve. He would never be king—he’d be a tyrant, seizing whatever he desired, whenever he pleased.
There was no place for Adastrus on the throne of Wynterborne.
Quick footsteps approached, echoing through the chamber’s silence. The servant bowed low before the regent, presenting an ornate box.
“Ah, the velebond. I trust you chose only the best for my little sister.” He snatched the box, his grip rough as he peered inside. “A kitten, quite suitable.”
When he tossed it to me, I caught it, fumbling in my rage.
He turned away, striding back up the stairs to the dais, gesturing dismissively. “Be sure to collar your kitten tightly.” He spun and collapsed into his seat, bringing his bloody knuckles to his lips. “Wouldn’t want him to stray.”
Chapter 15
“Now, when I hand this to you, you will touch it to the band. Don’t exert force or push too hard.” The jewelry smith demonstrated by pressing the thin rod to the gap. “Make haste, as you do. It’s quite hot.”
Sainte sat with a chain wrapped around his neck. Two fingers fit between his throat and the metal links, but it was tight enough that removal would be impossible. A matching set of lynx heads adorned the ends, their mouths frozen in a silent hiss. Between their teeth lay a single silver loop with a gap in the center. Once it was filled, the chain would be sealed forever.
A thick leather strip shielded his neck and chest from the molten silver I prepared to apply.
