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“No.” The glass banged against the table before Kallie could think better of it.
“Excuse me?” Domitius questioned, setting his fork back on the table.
When Kallie looked up, the blood rushed from her face, but she couldn’t stop. She had already denied him; she could not go back on her word now. She needed to show him that she could stand on her own, that she had her own desires and wishes. Her own mind. “I saidno.”
His voice was ice cold as he asked, “What do you mean ‘no?’ This is the plan we discussed.”
“No, Father, it is the planyoudiscussed. This ismylife, and I get a say in it.” Kallie was standing now. Her weight leaning onto her fists as they pushed against the wood.Pain pierced her skin, but she didn’t care. Let her knuckles bleed. Let them scar.
Her father could marry her off to Rian. He could have her report to him about the happenings of the kingdom, but he wouldnotcontrol her body. That is where she drew the line.
King Domitius’ lip curled, and a light chuckle seeped from his throat. “Oh, Kalisandre. Do you think that you have actual power now because you are one step away from the Frenzian crown and have won over the rosy king’s heart?” He leaned back in his chair. And even though he peered up at her, his glare made her feel small.
Kallie sneered. She didn’t know if what Graeson had said was true or not. She didn’t know who she trusted. She could barely even trust herself. But one thing was for certain: she always had power. She did not need a crown to be powerful. She did not need a title to have control. Power was in her blood. It ran through her veins.
And as Kallie stared down at her father—the man whom she had grown up respecting, whom she had loved, cared for, and sacrificed for—Sabina’s blood buzzed beneath her flesh. It rushed through her body, the anger blazing through her, fueling her. For the second time that week, Kallie broke her vow. “You will not—”
Kallie choked on her words before she could finish the command, and a flood of emotions overtook her. Warning bells sounded in her ears. Or was the bell on the table ringing?
She couldn’t move, she couldn’t speak. Her limbs grew numb as she stood grappling for the words. Her body swayed. Notes of lavender and cinnamon filled the air. A heavy pair of hands landed on her shoulders, metal clinking.
Her father stood and strolled around the table as she was led back into the chair. “My darling Kalisandre, you have such potential.”
Domitius lifted her chin. When he peered at the covered-up bruises on her neck, heat flushed Kallie’s face, but she couldn’t move away. She couldn’t do anything.
“If only you listened,” he hissed.
Kallie gawked. In the reflection of her father’s eyes, she saw something move, and panic rang throughout her entire body. She tried to get up. She tried to reach for her dagger, but when she moved, the person behind her held her down, forcing her to remain seated.
The world spun as they jostled her. Her vision blurred. Her father’s face became distorted as if she had been submerged underwater and was now looking up at the surface.
“Did you think I would not learn about your little stunt?”
“What are you—“
“Do you think I am daft, Kalisandre? I told you I have spies everywhere, yet you still try to lie to me?”
Kallie’s tongue grew heavy in her mouth.
“You are lucky Rian and Tessa fell for it, but that wasn’t the point.” Domitius stared down at her, his brown eyes blazing. A curl fell from his perfectly styled hair. “The loophole you found was smart. And perhaps I could have forgiven you for finding a way around killing the servant yourself. But that is not the only secret you have been keeping from me.”
Kallie’s chest rose, her heart racing as she grappled for air. The walls were closing in on her.
“You still care about them, don’t you?” He crouched down, his hands gripping the arms of the chair.
Her mouth fell open, her brows quivered, and the question slipped out, “Who?”
“The Pontians,” he hissed.
Kallie panicked. “No, no, I don’t.”
Her head swung, and her cheek burned from the sting of his slap.
“Do not lie to me!” Domitius looked past Kallie, his voice muffled, “Squander it.”
Behind her, someone said, “Of course, My King.”
The melodic voice was familiar, but Kallie’s senses were scrambled. The sensation was all too familiar. It was just like when Terin had forced her unconscious. But that—that was a darkness that had consumed her, a sense of peace that had awaited her on the other side. This? This was the exact opposite. This was control being ripped from her. This was her veins swelling, her blood heating, sweat slicking her skin. This did not have the remnants of Terin’s gentle touch. This was something far worse.
