Page 59 of Winter Gods & Serpents

“You are. Your whole existence is a contortion of the unnatural. This is just the look all your sort get.”

Malik bumped his fist to his side in warning, but the older brother did not even budge.

“Please,” I snorted, somewhat amused by all of it. “Don’t try so hard to hide your disgust.”

“It’s not disgust.”

The corridor had grown cold enough to prickle. “Humour me.”

“Curiosity,” he replied plainly, and too fearlessly to my taste.

Curiosity? “I suppose you would be curious. Don’t I look similar to the beast they portrayed me to be?”

“No,” his voice monotone cold.

“Of course, I had my fangs and horns filed down, claws still retractable though be aware.”

“And your heart, what did they do to it? Toss it to the Isjordian wolves?” Kilian asked and his brother nudged his shoulder in warning again.

“Your people carved that out twelve years ago, it should be in your lands.”

A tick in his jaw hammered and he averted his gaze to the floor shortly before fearlessly meeting mine again. “You intent to find it by torturing innocents?”

Innocents? He wanted to play the game of dumb I see. “Why so surprised, darling, didn’t you hunt me because I was meant to torture innocents? Now however will be at my bidding, not my fathers.”

The two brothers exchanged short glances before turning to study me again.

“So, will you stand there all day and charm me or shall we move so I can sacrifice a virgin and drink orphan blood? You know for my hybrid rituals of bringing doom on Numengarth,” I teased, opening my arms and dropping my head back like I’d seen dark crafters during summoning rituals. “Though today I would prefer a bath in goat blood. Pen, have it ready for when I return,” I said to my red haired servant who covered her mouth suppressing her giggles.

“I thought it was flesh of new-born babes on Fridays, Your Excellency?” Pen asked in an exaggerated bow holding her smile and Nia slapped her behind her head before throwing me a glare.

“Defiling the fifteen-year-old now, Snow?” Nia said shaking her head. “Back to work, Pen.”

Malik lowered his head in a tight smile but the other one blankly glared at me.

“But that is my purpose, I shall defile and soil humanity, my true ybris purpose.” I said and threw a wink to the wrathful silver eyed snake who wavered and bit his tongue that was ready for another reply.

“Take your ybris bottom to breakfast, your father is most excited to see you after you threw a chair at him,” she said folding her arms all disappointment.

A chair, two vases and a painting, but small details, right?

“She did what?” Malik asked and then retreat carefully glancing between us all.

“You,” I said to him. “The tolerable one, you guard me during the day, that one at night.”

The barbarians agreed, for today Malik and Cai were to follow me around. I was happy with the arrangement, not that I could like any of them, but Malik seemed more agreeable than the other. Though I attempted to convince myself otherwise, every step I took it felt like a blade was digging on my back, making me turn my head over my shoulder several times. That dark emotion again starting to creep against me, making me jittery and anxious, my breath rapid and uncontrollable.

“A beautiful raven crossing me. Is that a bad omen or a good one?” Elias called by the dinning chamber doors.

I turned around, Cai and Malik looking at me in surprise. “Now Cai, what hurts most: a knee in the crotch or a knee in your ego?” But truthfully, I was going to hurt Elias for the smug flirts and his tattle-tale mouth, I just did not know what was best.

“Crotch,” Malik spoke, examining Elias. “Measured it, that pain almost amounts to a blade wound. Men often take little offence over words. Aim for the crotch I say.”

I blinked stunned at him for a few moments before nodding. “The crotch it is.”

I charged towards Elias, reached around his shoulder wrapping my arms around his neck and kneed him in the crotch like suggested.

He yelped in pain, closing his eyes as he leaned forward clutching himself. “Glad to see your spirits remain strong,” he spoke breathlessly, cringing in pain.