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Thrashing, I bite down on his thumb, but he simply grunts and narrows his eyes. “I guess this is goodbye.”
He tips the vial and the liquid splashes to the back of my throat. I try to spit it out, but he shoves my mouth shut and pinches my nose so hard I start to cry. Three seconds pass and I don’t swallow.
Four.
Five.
Six.
I try to fight it. I try not to let him win, but eventually I have to swallow or risk fainting, and if I faint, he’ll be able to do whatever he wants. My throat bobs and the king chuckles under his breath. His laughter is the last thing I hear as the world before me warps and bends.
FORTY-ONE
War
ORCUS
Unlike Daisy, I don’t have a support system to spend the day with. I’m glad she’ll be busy getting pampered. I could spend the day with my father, but I’d rather not be pissed on the second most important day of my life. He had nothing to do with the first and Daisy had everything to do with it. I was, admittedly, annoyed when she fell into my tub, but even still, I consider the moment the bond snapped into place as my favorite day. It was the day my life changed, and it was the day I got lucky. Daisy could’ve ended up with another monster, but Hecate knew we were meant to be.
For all her faults, including what she did to Echidna, the goddess isn’t half bad. My creator Echidna kept toying with Hecate’s creatures, luring hungry vampires into her traps to shove wooden stakes in their hearts and slowly bleed them dry, chaining the weres in silver which made their skin burn, using her dark art on magical beings until their magic turned shadowed and maleficent. She tainted the world.
The only thing that taints my relationship with Daisy is the king. My father wasn’t happy when I called off the attack, but in a room full of advisors, he couldn’t admit that he was trying to cover up his own mistake to that many monsters. No one wants a war. Everyone loses in war.
As the night wanes on and the moon is closer to rising, I pull on the fancy suit my mother had made for me. A sleek pair of black pants and a silky green top. Knowing Oretta was more than likely involved in the styling, I’ll be matching the gown Daisy will be wearing. I smooth my hair back and shine my tusks. They’ll be in pristine shape for my queen. A smile tugs at my lips. She loves my tusks. I remove the cuffs and polish them as well, making sure they sparkle before sliding them back on.
The door opens, and I scowl as my father steps in. My immediate reaction is to kick his ass. Daisy would be worried if I came to the ceremony littered in bruises. Making sure this is the best day of her life is the only reason I stay rooted to the spot. He studies me in the mirror, but I refuse to turn and face him.
“I thought you might want company.”
A line forms above my nose. “You were wrong.”
His face is the picture of sadness, but I don’t buy it. “This day is important. A father should spend time with his son before his—”
“Cut the shit. What do you want?” There’s no reason why he’d come here to be with me. He’s not that type of ogre.
“I want you to reconsider.”
“We’re not attacking the vampires.” I clench my jaw to keep from saying more.
His mask slips. “You’re soft and stupid. You think they’ll stop attacking us when you become king? Who knows what the furies have offered them.”
“No, but I’ll call for peace talks. I’ll make offerings to the furies.” Or try any number of things that he hasn’t.
Scoffing, he picks up the stone tumbler on the drink table and fills it with wine. “Peace. There’s a far-fetched idea. Didsheput that in your head too?”
The way he says she has me tightening my fingers into fists. I swear if he says one bad thing about her, I’ll punch him. Daisy would probably be frustrated by that. I take a breath. “You should go.”
“I think I’ll stay. I am still king, if only for a bit longer.” There’s a nasty glint in his gaze.
I don’t like it.
Scowling, I finally face him. Chest shuddering with barely contained rage. He’s ruining things like I knew he would. “I’m not asking. Go.”
Orlena bursts into the room, out of breath and frenzied. Her braid is a mess, like she’s been running.Something’s wrong.“It’s Daisy! She’s gone.”
My heart jumps. “Gone?”
She nods, pieces of her dark hair falling into her face. “I’ve looked everywhere.”
