Page 104 of White Raven

I heard the door slam, the click of the lock barricading me inside like the prisoner I was.

“Just you and me, now.” I rubbed the top of Munch’s head before rising. I quickly dressed and padded to the bedroom, the fire crackling loudly in the hearth. A tray of food sat on the table and I snatched up a roll, strolling to the window where the moon glinted through the stained glass.

I felt so alone and scared, terrified of what tomorrow would bring, and my fate here.

Cracking the window, I set Munch down beside me in the window seat, taking in deep breaths of night air, the stars twinkling down.

As much as I missed the sun, I couldn’t deny the beauty of the darkness.

Commotion from below drew my attention to a group standing around a fire barrel, laughing and chatting, their drinks high in the air.

“To Raelis! Someday we will see you again, brother.” I could pick out Bjørn’s booming voice. I knew that where Bjørn was, the others were probably too. “May you fly free with Huginn and Muninn, keeping the skies protected till we join you. You are missed, bróðir. Hail to the brave warrior, the Night Hunter warrior, Raelis!”

“Skål!” The cheers rose up in one voice, skittering goosebumps over my flesh.

“And to getting this asshole home! Now let’s get him laid!” Bjørn bellowed louder in a roaring cheer.

“Skål!”

As if a force divided the gathering, plucking him out of the crowd for me, my gaze landed on Onyx. Chugging a flask, he stood there shirtless, his trousers hanging low off his hips, the fire flickering off the fresh wounds marring his torso, the streaks of blood dried on his skin. Women crowded around him, laughing and pawing at him, trying to be the one he chose to bed. It proved everything Kara had said to be true about the women lining up for him.

My hand went to my throat, absently rubbing at the tattoo. A very uncomfortable sensation roiled my stomach, my shoulders prickling as one woman slid her hand down his abs, running straight down his V-line.

My teeth gritted, my thumb pressing down on the healing ink like I wanted to physically feel pain.

Onyx seized her hand like he was going to move it off him, but he stopped, his head snapping up to my window like he could sense me. A breath caught in my throat, and I ducked deeper into the curtain. I couldn’t see his eyes, but I felt them on me, burning and scorching.

He knew I was there. Watching him.

Tingles skated over my skin, my throat aflame where I touched my chest, hardening my nipples.

“I would eat you alive, kanin. You have no idea what I am capable of, how dark I can get. I’d tear you apart, use your blood as a lubricant while I devour your heart without a thought.”

I saw his mouth quirk up, his hand still holding the woman’s, pressing her fingers back into his body, slowly lowering it down, his focus burning into me. She eagerly gripped him, rubbing him up and down over his trousers in front of everyone. He bit down on his lip, tipping his head back in pleasure, his attention on me, like he wanted me to see . . . to watch him with someone else.

“You want to ride my dick, kanin. I’ll gladly oblige, but you are nothing more than a thrall. One pleasing her master.”

Anger cracked over my chest, my shoulders rising. I was not someone to degrade or humiliate. I stood to the world as the White Raven. People bowed at my feet.

“Fuck you,” I whispered, slamming my window, slumping down on the window seat. Picking up Munch, I cuddled him to me, curling up in a ball.

Though he was no longer in my view, it seemed like I could still feel him, tangible and powerful as though he was in the room with me, haunting, his presence sliding over me, making me feel restless and achy.

“I can’t wait until I’m free of you. Where I don’t fucking feel you anymore.”

I looked forward to it, the end of whatever strange thing I was feeling toward him. He was no different than the king.

They may try to control and own the White Raven.

However, they would never have me.

CHAPTER 23

“Stand here.” Meya pointed to a spot behind a deep red curtain, the sound of loud chatter, laughter, and music drifting through. The white gown they had put me in was as light as paper, but it weighed on me like a prison sentence. The wispy, feathered sleeves sat off my shoulders, decorated in sparkling gems, curling down my arms to the floor, looking like wings in the moonlight. The semiopaque bodice dress exposed the top of my breasts, cinching at the waist and flowing down to the ground, trailing after me with silky feathers and jewels. A crescent moon headpiece was placed on my forehead, gemstones and chains dripping down from it, twining in my hair like the stars. The scent of the white moonflowers decorating my flowing hair filled my nose with an extravagant reminder.

My time was up.

The entire day I had counted time by the trays of food brought in, the guards outside my door dropping them on the table with aversion and stomping back out, resentful their job was wasted in having to watch over me.