Page 106 of White Raven

He twisted around, holding out his arm for me to take. He stared off with a stoic expression, appearing like I was nothing more than cargo to him, but within the stoniness, I saw that familiar tick in his jaw. The one I had provoked so many times during our journey.

My hand rose, my fingers curling around his elbow, taking his arm. It was so subtle, but I felt his body tighten at my touch. The heat underneath his uniform soaked into me, our heads staying forward as we descended the steps.

The flock of exquisite birds of the night parted for the hunter as he delivered his prey to the feet of the king. The men gawked as I moved by, the women looked on with a mix of awe and hatred. Whispers hummed in my ear.

“She’s so beautiful.”

“I will never call her queen. She is not worthy of the title.”

“She really is the destined one?”

“She looks like nothing but a spoiled girl.”

My head stayed high as Onyx strolled us through the crowd, my fingers digging into his arm.

“Breathe,” I heard him whisper, like he could feel the panic in me rising. We ascended the steps. King Gavric’s smile was thin, turning it to the crowd to show everything was fine.

“Hersir.” The king nodded to Onyx, his tone strained slightly, his eyes shooting over to where my neck tattoos were covered up with paint and jewels. “You have once again delivered my treasure to me.”

“Your majesty.” Onyx bowed, stepping away the moment he could. The loss of his touch made me feel adrift again.

“I should thank you.” The king stepped up to him, his eyes skimming up and down Onyx with an energy I did not understand. “But I am still furious with you. Still deciding on your penance for betraying me so.”

Whipping him wasn’t enough?

“Yes, your majesty.” Onyx lowered his head again, his eye twitching.

“Let us not focus on that tonight.” He lifted Onyx’s face, his mouth an inch from his as he spoke. “However, if you get within a faðmr of my bride, I won’t be as kind in your punishment as I was before. Do you understand me?”

Onyx dipped his head. “Yes, your majesty.”

“Good.” The king smiled, leaning in and taking the last inch, kissing Onyx’s mouth softly. “You know I hate fighting with you.”

Gavric seemed to use emotions to dominate people. But this kiss somehow felt more than that with Onyx. The king turned away from him, demeanor changing like blowing out a candle. Gavric’s attention went over my figure with a deep appreciation.

“What an exquisite creature you are.” He took my fingers and brought my hand to his mouth, kissing the back of it. “Huginn and Muninn chose right for me. Though if you ever pull something like that again, I will make sure you will regret it.”

“You think Huginn and Muninn chose me for you?” My tone was low and even so no one else could hear me. “You stole me.”

Gavric’s tight smile curved his lips.

“I get what I want by whatever means necessary, my dove.” He lowered my hand, the threat sparking in his eyes. “But tonight is not about business.” His timbre and expression shifted in an instant. “We are rejoicing in our union.” He laced his fingers with mine, facing us both to the crowd. “My people, our destiny is in reach! Tonight, we eat, we drink, and we celebrate!”

“All hail the king!” someone cheered, the room chanting together in thunderous roar as the music picked up from above, filling the space. The Night Ravens captured his words like a directive, milling around in conversation and laughter as trays of food and jugs of alcohol were brought out by thralls.

“Come, my dove.” He escorted me down the stairs.

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Onyx standing in the same spot, not following us, his figure stiff, his gloved hands in fists at his sides. I screamed in my head for him to look at me, to be that last bit of rope before I was taken under. He didn’t look back, letting me sink into the abyss.

Brynn, Renyx, Sven, and Bjørn, dressed similarly to Onyx, waited at the bottom, their heads bowing as the king stepped onto the main floor.

“Your majesty.” Brynn bowed her head.

“Oh lovely, Brynn.” He cupped her face, peering at the figure next to her. “And handsome Renyx. I should have made you one of my flock.” He nodded to the thralls following behind us. “You are much too beautiful to be wasted in leathers.”

“I prefer my position guarding you, my liege,” Brynn responded.

“I’m willing, your majesty.” Bjørn smiled widely, his humor dancing in his eyes.