Page 116 of White Raven

My father had the power to do anything. He let Brynden come.

“Makes you even more a fool,” Gavric replied, gesturing to his guards. They drew their weapons to his neck. “Killing him would be doing this world a favor. We have too many idiots with conviction these days.”

“Please, my lord.” I could hear the begging in my tone. I didn’t know Brynden very well, but I still didn’t want him to die. He had a family, a mother who would mourn, and siblings he cared about. He didn’t deserve death because he unwisely stepped into something beyond his scope. He was unworldly and sweet, not meant to get caught up in this game.

“I beg you,” I pleaded. “Let him leave here alive.”

The king twisted his head to me. “How much is your ex-lover’s life worth?”

Tears clogged my throat, but I held them back, knowing what my fate already held.

“Whatever you deem, my lord.” I lowered my head in submission.

“At least you understand the rules, my dove.” A wicked grin stirred his mouth, his lips stained a deep red color.

“You touch her, and I will kill you!” Brynden barked, glowering at the Night King, his drive for honor overriding intellect.

My lids shut, swallowing roughly, before they popped back open at the sound of metal zinging.

Gavric ripped a dagger from his belt. A cry stuck in my throat as he rammed his blade into Brynden’s face. The sick sound of flesh, nerves, and muscle being ripped through gushed into my ears. Brynden’s screams of agony howled off the walls and ceiling, dropping him to his knees as the Night King yanked back his weapon, blood spraying over me in droplets.

Impaled on the tip of Gavric’s knife, nerves and veins dangled off in clusters around Brynden’s gored eyeball.

“This way you can keep an eye on my wife at all times.” He leaned over Brynden, yanking his head back. Blood poured from the empty socket, a web of shredded muscles and nerves, the sight burning vomit up my throat. “Tell your king his daughter is in good hands now with her husband. And to prepare to accept me as his king.” He roughly pushed him to the side. Brynden slumped to the ground, his teeth gritting, snarling at the king, vomit pooling down his chin.

“Make sure he returns to the Day Realm. I want my message received loud and clear,” he ordered the guards around him. “Now get him out of here. He’s ruining my wedding celebration.”

The guards swiftly lifted Brynden up, dragging him out of the room as he wailed in agony, my name on his lips.

Gavric turned to me, popping the eyeball off his blade and dropping it at my feet.

“A souvenir.” He leaned into my ear, kissing my temple, the threat weaving around like a noose. “I told you my reach was far. And there is nothing I won’t do to keep my wife protected.” He brushed by me, heading for his throne, grabbing another cup of wine.

My legs bowed under me, sinking me to the ground in a silent sob. My hands shook as they skated over the droplets of blood smearing the purity of the white gown, the symbol of the White Raven stained.

“Someone get her out of my face and prepare her in my chambers,” King Helvig ordered, motioning to me. “Now, let me hear music! This is a joyous occasion!” The orchestra started to play again, the crowd carrying on as though their king didn’t just carve out someone’s eye.

“Come on, lille ravn.” A familiar deep voice spoke in my ear, Bjørn’s large hands lifting me up. “I got you.”

Bjørn helped me to my feet, my gaze locking on Brynden’s blue iris staring back at me from the floor. My father allowed Brynden to venture here, knowing he was imprudent, knowing what might happen to him. It was not by accident, nor was it Brynden’s sheer determination to save me.

The message was loud and clear.

No one was coming after me.

I was a pawn to start a war.

My will was broken, and I handed myself over to the influence of the moonflower and night jasmine, greedily falling into the haze of their scent, barely processing that my feet were shuffling forward, moving down hallways and upstairs.

“You really going to defy him? He wants her in his chambers.” Another figure walked on my right, the sconces along the wall flickering over his handsome features.

Renyx.

“He’ll be passed out in ten minutes.” Bjørn snorted, gripping me more firmly. “We both know he won’t remember ever saying such a thing. Plus, I’d rather test him than the other one right now.”

Renyx huffed, shaking his head, his nose wrinkling when he peered down at me.

“What is the fuss about her?” Renyx wrinkled his nose. “Her pussy can’t be that fucking good.”