Page 103 of White Raven

“The king will replace it with his?” My hand drew up to my throat protectively, gasping for more air at the thought of it being stripped from me, as if it gave me comfort. In a world where I was the enemy, surrounded by people I didn’t know or couldn’t trust, it was the only thing which made me feel anchored.

Which made no sense.

Onyx was just as much my enemy as the others, if not more so.

Before anyone could answer, Unna came back into the room carrying a robe and nightgown. Her eyes widened at something on the floor and she let out a scream.

“What?” Meya rose up.

“A rat!” Unna pointed toward my pile of dirty clothes next to Sassa.

Sassa screeched, scrambling away as my eyes spotted the tiny figure peeking out, his own terror making him try to burrow back in, wiggling the pile like it was alive.

“Kill it before it escapes!” Meya ran toward it with a scrub brush.

“No!” I scrambled out of the tub, swishing water onto the floor, diving for my old clothes before she could reach them. “Don’t hurt him!” My arms went out, guarding the items.

“But it’s a filthy rat!” Meya tried to move me out of the way. “It’s probably carrying diseases.”

“It’s not a rat!” I blocked her, my body and hair dripping on the floor. “Please. Do not hurt him.”

“Hurt who?” Kara asked, appearing half scared and half thrilled by the excitement.

Turning back to the clothes, I peeked under. “It’s okay. I won’t let them hurt you.” Munch’s head rose up slowly, his eyes blinking at me, a piece of fabric stuck between his teeth. “You’re okay.”

I spread out my hand, coaxing him with gentle affirmations. Gradually he inched forward, crawling, his eyes darting around nervously.

“I got you,” I whispered, curling my fingers around the little creature.

“What is that?” Sassa crept forward, interest widening her eyes. Her younger age still wrapped her up in innocence.

“This is Munch.” I kept him cupped in my hand but held him higher for everyone to see. “He’s a groundling.”

“A groundling?” Sassa kneeled, taking in the little guy. Munch peeked out, a clicking sound coming from him.

“Huginn-Muninn, he’s sooooo cute,” Sassa cooed. “Can I pet him?”

“Go slow.”

Taking my direction, she held out her finger getting it closer to Munch, until she gently touched his head.

“Sassa, don’t touch it!” Meya yelped, darting Munch back into my hand. “That thing is dirty. Probably full of infections. It needs to be put outside.”

“You will do no such thing.” I glared up at her, my chin rising. “He’s mine and you will not touch him.”

“This is not your castle. You do not rule here.” Meya reminded me so much of the woman who brought me to my chambers, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they were related. Most thrall positions were passed on through families.

“I will be your queen, soon.” I tucked Munch closer to me, using my future status to intimidate. “You can all go.”

“What?” Meya’s back went straight.

“I can dress myself.”

“But—”

“You are dismissed.”

Meya’s expression darkened, but she dipped her head, swiping up the dirty clothes and stomping out of the room, the rest following behind. It probably wasn’t wise to upset her, but I was done with people, the need to be alone dictating everything.