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“You lied to me,” she hissed, moving a hand to her stomach. “Youdidpoison me.”
“I did not!” Morozko spat. He was tired of her insolence. Did he blame her for not believing him? No, but one glimpse of all he’d done over the years, and one could discern when he was telling the truth. “I should never have brought you these useless things.”
“They are not useless. They aremine,and they are part of our bargain.”She stepped forward, swaying, but still holding her chin higher as if she were a match for him.
Indeed, little bird.
What went on in her head? What was she thinking when she approached him and spoke to him in such a manner? “Yes, I suppose you’re right. And I wouldn’t want to go back on our deal, considering the predicament we’re in.”
“What do you mean?” Eirah whispered.
“It isn’t as though I can retract my blood from you once you’ve consumed it.” Eirah’s body was currently in the throes of battling his blood off, and in the process, if there was any latent magic or some other ability, his blood would bring it forth. And through this connection, he hoped, his vision would become clear.
Eirah’s eyes saucered, and she clutched her stomach as if she wanted to heave the contents onto his boots. Perhaps he’d have deserved that. “Yourwhat?”
“At least it wasn’t poison.” He chuckled, dragging the tip of his tongue along a sharp canine. She wouldn’t die from his blood, and she was just being overly dramatic. He was amused, but Eirah was on the verge of fainting or spewing, and he wasn’t certain which to be more concerned over.
10
EIRAH
“Why would you give me your blood to drink?” Eirah asked, her nostrils flaring. The nausea bubbling up her throat was lessening, and she seemed to be feeling a little better even though her sleep had been anything but pleasant. Perhaps Morozko’sdeceitfulblood had finished traveling through her. “Better yet, why didn’t you just tell me what it was before I consumed it?”
When she’d sipped from the red wine, she wouldn’t admit it aloud, not to him, but she’d almost moaned from how good it tasted. The thought now crossed her mind that it washisblood which had tasted so sweet, solush. And she was horrified by the thought.
“Would you have still drank it, little bird? Knowing you were putting a piece of meinsideyou,” Morozko purred, stepping closer as he peered down at her beneath thick lashes.
She hated how everything that rolled off his tongue seemed as though it was intended to seduce her. As if he wanted to elicit pleasure from her so he could mock her afterward.
“For tools? Yes,” she said, not backing away from his hooded stare. “If you promised a mountain of tools next, I just might consume your blood again.”
“They’re that important to you?” he asked, his brow arching.
“They’re my life.” Eirah walked around him and knelt in front of the four velvet bags he’d brought. She emptied them on the floor and spread the objects around so she could see everything properly. A smile spread across her face as she took in the wonderful gifts. When Ulva had come to collect the list, Eirah didn’t think everything on it would be brought to her, even though the woman had promised to tell Xezu to make sure everything was there. And it all was.
Various fabrics, assorted woods, paints, gears, nails, strings, scissors, chisels, gouges, and more tools.
And a carvingknife.
Heart pounding with excitement, she lifted the knife. The blade would cut cleanly while working fast and efficiently on her craft. But that wasn’t the only thing she would use it for—the moment she’d been waiting for had arrived. Without another thought, she whirled around as she stood, then lunged for the king. She thrust the blade forward, but he was quicker than expected, grasping her arm and spinning around so her back was pressed to his chest.
“You should have been thanking me for the tools instead of trying tokillme,” he cooed near her ear as if he was intrigued by her actions. “This is the second time you’ve attempted to use a blade on me. Both times I was being gracious. Providing you supper. Providing you with yourtools.And look how you treat me? If you were anyone else, you’d be dead.”
Eirah scoffed, unable to believe the audacity of this arrogant male. “Then either let go of me or sacrifice me now,” she seethed, wriggling to escape his hold.
“In due time, little bird.” He sighed, tightening his hold on her. “It seems I still can’t trust you, but I’ll give you one more chance.” Morozko’s warm breath tickled her throat as he spoke to her. “Now, drop the knife.” His voice came out soft as silk, as if he was attempting to calm a wild animal.
Eirah didn’t—she only clutched the blade harder.
“Come now. Let me tell youwhyyou don’t want to end my life.” Morozko’s fingers trailed down her arm, and beneath the anger boiling in her, another sensation rose, warming within her as his hand folded around hers. She didn’t want to release the weapon, but there wasn’t a chance of her winning against him now.
Morozko gently took the knife from her, and she slowly turned around, her fists clenched at her sides. Eirah narrowed her eyes as he grinned at her.
“You care about Frosteria just as much as I do,” Morozko started. “And although you couldn’t care less if I ceased breathing right now, if I die, so does Frosteria. My life is tied to the land, just as my mother’s was. When her life ended, the ties to this world were passed to me, but I have no heir and so if I die, the ones you care about most will, too.” He paused for a moment, his full lips twisting in frustration before continuing on, “I tell you this because I don’t take you for the type to whisk me away to some hidden prison, holding me hostage to ensure I remain alive.” Morozko cocked his head, his shrewd blue eyes squinting as he looked down at her. “If you don’t believe me, ask anyone in the palace.Ask themwhat happens if I die.” He held the blade out to her.
Eirah’s hands shook, her eyes widening in horror. If she had ended his life… It would’ve destroyed not only her father and Saren, but the entire realm. The plan to get a tool to murder him was for naught. There had to be another way… “I won’t try to stab you again,” she said between clenched teeth.
“Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page. But perhaps you would try to draw my blood for another reason...” Morozko brought the blade to the tip of his index finger and pierced his flesh. Deep crimson bloomed to the surface of his skin, then he held his finger out to her. “Would you like to have a taste of my magic without the wine?”
