His jaw ticked, and my eyes tracked his fingers clenchedtightly at his sides, even as he maintained the posture of someone relaxed, at ease.
“You’ve been avoiding Solis Court.” His voice rang out in a statement.
I tensed, knowing his words were valid. I opened my mouth, searching for anything to justify myself, to excuse the actions, but came up blank, my lips closing inside.
“Smart girl,” he nearly purred in a mocking tone as he watched me.
“We’ve been busy,” I stated finally. “Our schedule has been filling rapidly.”
“Has it now?” he asked. “Tell me, Raelyna. Do you think me stupid? Lacking intelligence in some manner?”
I paused, staring at the male before me.Did I think he was stupid? Undoubtedly. Lacking intelligence? Without a second thought.“No?” I questioned hesitantly, as I met his gaze.
“Truly?” he mocked in a sneer. “Then perhaps you just doubt my intel.”
My eyes flicked to him in confusion. “Y-Your intel?”
“If your schedule has been so busy, then why have my sources reported that you are actively going out of your way to seek new clients to pack your schedule every hour of the day?”
Shit.
“I’m unsure what you’re implying, Your Majesty.”
Water sprang forth from his fingertips, mini tornadoes of liquid whirling in a torrent around him as he leaned forward, rage in his eyes. “Don’t lie to me, butterfly. I built this Quarter into what it is. Do you truly think that I wouldn’t know every single thing that occurs in my own Quarter?” His voice was a demeaning shout as he questioned me. “That I wouldn’t have your every move monitored? Especially seeing as you are bound to me through our bargain.”
Every muscle in my body tensed, my teeth clenchingtogether as I involuntarily braced myself, the muscles in my abdomen tightening on impulse.
Don’t contradict him.
Don’t argue.
Don’t say anything to disagree.
Don’t set him off.
I repeated the words in my mind, over and over again, as I reminded myself that this wouldn’t last forever. That one day . . . one day, things would be better. Not today. Not tomorrow. Butone day. One day, I would be free from this bargain, and my sisters and mother would be free from living under his reign. One day . . . just not today.
My lips tightened into a thin line before I took a deep breath. I pushed every urge to fight back deep down inside me, grasping for any remaining threads of demure compliance and replied, “I’m sorry. I’ll be better. Whatever days you want us here performing, I’ll ensure the team is here.”
“Don’t placate me, Raelyna.” His lip curled in a snarl, and his wings expanded behind him in a show of power as he moved toward me in a burst of speed. My gaze flicked to the large expanse of black feathers, the dark onyx color that circled him, casting shadows over his face as he loomed over me.
“Apologies, Your Majesty.” I spoke the words as my eyes flicked back toward him. He stood there towering over me for a moment longer before he took a step back, sitting on the edge of the couch as he studied me, his affinity still swirling around him in angry swarms.
“It feels as though you’ve forgotten the terms of our bargain. Or, perhaps you’ve forgotten who holds the power here. Do you need a reminder?”
I didn’t know how it was possible, but every single muscle in my body tightened even more, my mind racing as I tried to ensure every vital part of me was protected, should he lash out.
“No,” I barely breathed the word as I prayed to the gods for strength.
“What was that?” he asked, his eyes darkening as he rested his forearms on his thighs, leaning closer into my space.
“No, Your Majesty,” I forced the words through my teeth. “I don’t need a reminder. I am aware that it is by your grace alone that my sister is free—that she isn’t serving at the temple like the other seers.”I am aware that because of your fucked up system of living, I had to make a stars-damned bargain just to ensure that my sister didn’t have to sign her life away as a servant in your temples. That she still had freedoms in life, even after being marked as a seer—an aetherial affinity that usually requires a life in servitude at the temples prophesying your greatness. And I am fully aware that my life is now entirely yours, thanks to that bargain.The words were an angry thought in my mind that I refused to voice. I rubbed at the mark inked on my wrist—the bargain I’d agreed to in exchange for keeping my sister further away from Luc after our father’s death. Her freedom . . . but my freedom washis.
“Good,” he purred. “And you’d do well to remember that. It would be such a shame if any harm came to your sister because of your lack of cooperation with the bargain we made. I’d hate to have to make an example out of her, much like my father had me do with your father.”
“You wouldn’t.” The words slipped from my lips before I could stop them, and every part of me froze as Luc’s eyes flashed with venom. “After everything we’ve been through . . . AftereverythingI’ve sacrificed for you . . .” I spat the words and knew it was wrong the moment they left my mouth. Lucanus was off his feet and dragging me out of my chair in an instant. His fingers wrapped tightly around my neck, cutting off my circulation.
Tears welled in my eyes, my lungs struggling to breathe around his punishing grip as he held me by my throat.
