AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I wasn’t sure the king would choke those last words out.
“For which I thank you, my good king.” Tavion just grinned—the king’s face turning deep red—before spinning on his heel and striding sway down the wide aisle. The couple went to follow, but the king stopped them, glaring daggers at Tavion’s retreating back.
I knew exactly how he felt, but I was too busy studying Raziel, seated a few feet to my right. The angry marks covering his face from the stonewraiths were barely healed.
And yet…he’d used magic to heal me.
I wondered if the collar locked down his power, like mine had. I wondered what manner of magic he had, that such a monstrosity was necessary.
The high neck on the jacket hid most of the collar, and without it, Raziel was handsome. Beautiful, almost, the torches highlighting the gold of his skin, the intricate tattoos on the side of his shaven skull.
“We will welcome the princess home with a proper celebration later.” I smiled up at the king, as if I was looking forward to it, and not about to be ill. “Now I shall hear my subjects’ requests.” Our part of the production was clearly over, yet Raz was still sitting here.
“Why didn’t you get anything?” I whispered, sliding closer. “For bringing me back?”
“Because just like slaves can’t ride, they do not get shiny castles, or armies, or their gambling debts paid off.”
I was too shocked to reply, instead watching a courtier get on his knees and beg the king for mercy. Some land dispute, and the Shadow King leaned forward greedily, as if he couldn’t get enough.
“Why didn’t you say something?” I whispered.
“What difference would it make?” Raziel’s deep voice was husky, rough, almost a purr. “There was nothing good waiting at the end of this journey for me, Anaria. And there’s nothing for you.”
“Tell me something I didn’t know.”
He jerked in surprise, but hid it behind a cough as the first courtier stumbled past us, his face wet with tears. Another male stepped out of the crowd, took one look at the departing courtier, then straightened his coat.
“Why did you help me when I was attacked?” His lips barely moved as we watched the spectacle unfolding in front of us. “You’d never handled a sword before, that much was clear.”
“Because I couldn’t let you face them alone.” I answered, tucking a stray lock of hair back into my bun. “And no one else seemed much inclined.” The lines around his eyes grew deeper, his chest expanding while he mulled this over.
“Why did you come back here?” I asked, as the second courtier went to his knees. “I didn’t have a choice, but there were a thousand times you could have gotten away.”
Raz tapped the side of his neck, the spiked collar around it. “Can’t go too far, or the magic in this thing forces me to return to Blackcastle. Home sweet home, the slave barracks, beyond the back of Keep.”
Just like the iron band Solok locked around my throat.
Raziel was a prisoner, as I’d been.
I had a million more questions to ask, but before I could utter a single one, the king motioned the couple forward, the ones lurking in the shadows.
“Those two you’ll want to keep clear of.” Raz muttered, his gaze on the king, before he laid his arm over the back of the bench. His fingers almost brushed my shoulder, his eyes flashed in warning. “Crux and Lyrae, the king’s enforcers. They’re utterly deadly and without any sort of…honor. You might want to look away, now.”
Of course, his warning only made me glance toward the kneeling man. The air stilled when Lyrae stepped behind him and swung her blade in a perfect circle.
I shot to my feet, Raziel jerked me back down.
The man’s head bounced across the floor, spewing blood everywhere, and I choked on bile, pressed my hand to my mouth to stop myself from vomiting.
Neither Tristan nor Zorander blinked, like public executions were commonplace.
I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Wanted to scream.
Every muscle was tensed to run, but the female—Lyrae—swiveled her head and met my eyes. Just try it. She seemed to say.I will cut you down like a deer.
The crowd exploded to their feet, clapping and hooting while I shook like a leaf, the man’s head lolling on the stage, his empty gaze staring straight at me.
The king smiled, a cruel, cold smile that sent a bone-deep shudder straight through me. Then he retook the throne, while the big male—Crux—dragged the body away, Lyrae picked up the head and held it up for all to see, blood dripping from her elbow.
