Chapter 81
K ing Ostern waved his sons and daughter off this aurora rise. We both watched them disappear into the distance before two of his guards snapped iron cuffs around my wrists.
I was shoved into a bland room, forced into a chair. The King crouched before me, looking like he wanted to slaughter me.
He told me my behavior was unbecoming of a future queen. That he’d seen the way Kaan watched me. Acted around me.
That he knew we were “fucking.”
He told me Kaan is not fit to rule a kingdom because he can only wield two elemental songs. That he is not, and never will be, worthy of a crown.
I spat in his face. Told him I’d choose my own king or I would not bind at all.
That I would give myself to the Creators.
He sucked all the air from my lungs and made me feel like my ribs were caving, then told me that he’d noticed how friendly I am with Veya. That if I didn’t bind with Tyroth, he’d rid the world of the little bitch who took his bound. That he’d inform the twins of Kaan’s transgressions, and the three of them would hunt him down, then saw off his head. That he wouldn’t stand a chance.
I’ve never felt fear so real.
He said that if I left the next rise to prepare for the binding ceremony, he’d offer Slátra safe passage back to Arithia. Alternatively, he’d leave her hutch unguarded as I’m dragged across the plains, and I’d be forced to watch her kill herself trying to follow me home.
Then he got real close and looked at me like he could see straight through my skull. Told me he’d been informed that my bleeding is late—something I hadn’t considered until that very moment.
Hadn’t even realized.
He said this is the only way my youngling will have a chance at life. That if Tyroth believes he sired the small seed apparently growing in my belly, all will be well. Otherwise, there will be nowhere Kaan and I can hide where they won’t find us. They’ll hunt us down for this filthy dishonor we’ve bestowed upon our families.
I’ve decided this is the trade-off for finding such a great love like Mah and Pah’s. That mine, too, must end in tragedy, bearing the curse of my family name.