“I bound him to me, dear lady. Watch, it’s a lovely trick!” He spun on the heel of his boot and snapped his fingers at the big man. “Come doggie, come!”
Bile rose in my throat.
Grimm’s jaw was clenched so tight I expected to hear it crack. He took quick steps to Adastrus’ side, where he glared down at his regent.
“Sit!”
Lyana seethed. “I’ll kill–”
“Surely, brother,” I interrupted, halting her treasonous words, “you did not summon me just to flaunt your own Valahant.”
Grimm lowered himself to the ground, wincing in pain while Adastrus’s features lit up with glee.
“You’re right, little sister,” he said, his mad eyes locking onto mine. With a predatory smile, he clasped his hands in front of his belt. “I wanted to inform you that a Howl is imminent, and I propose we embark on the second rite.”
His posture remained relaxed and calm as Grimm sat at his feet, staring blankly into the distance, a stark contrast to his usually cheerful demeanor.
“When?” I spat.
“Tonight.”
I glanced at Anderz. We hadn’t even practiced or gone over the fine details of the Rite of Hearth and Home. All I knew was it involved a lot of walking in the snow.
“Well enough,” I replied, gently pulling Lyana with me as I took a step back. She trembled with rage and I had to get her out of there.
“Oh, andPrincess?”
I paused, every intention to kill the bastard clear in my eyes.
He tilted his head with a smile, his black hair falling across his forehead. “Did you know you can duel with your Valahant?”
“Pardon?” I asked, squinting as I struggled to grasp his meaning.
“As your Valahant is an extension of you, you may use them as a stand-in for a duel.” He sidestepped, his sickly gaze locking onto Sainte with a dangerous grin. “Would you wager mine against yours?”
My blood turned to ice, and I fought the urge to look back at Sainte. Grimm stood among his handpicked men, one he trusted to cross borders to fetch me.
I would not have him fight his friend.
“I will prepare for the rite,” I growled, turning away.
With a glance at Sainte, my resolve hardened. A muscle twitched in his jaw as he looked at Grimm once more before leaving with me. I pressed my lips together, holding Lyana’s arm, practically dragging her along. Anderz followed, his steps measured and calm.
“Pack warm, sister!”
Adastrus’ laughter echoed throughout the room, haunting us as we departed.
I was going to die.
That fate was certain.
At least Sainte accompanied me, not that he was allowed to hold me in death’s cold embrace. He watched me from beneath his cloak’s deep, fur-lined hood. Flakes swirled, covering him in a dense layer.
It wasn’t even pretty snow that glittered in the sun, but a thick haze of white under a dark gray sky. It settled on my lap and Sainte’s hood with unnerving speed. The accumulation rose higher than my crossed legs, and I brushed it off in a vain attempt to stay dry.
Blindfolded, I endured a wagon ride lasting over a day. The rough, jarring journey left me sore and frustrated. Eating with my eyes covered was an unpleasant experience.
They dumped us somewhere… Whether we stood on a mountain, in a valley, or on a plain eluded me. Flat ground stretched beneath my feet, but it could change at any moment. I had no idea how Sainte and the priest would get home when I died.
