Chapter 20
Rumor
“How many bloody times are you going to pop up like a little rodent from a hole?” I asked.
How many bloody times was I going to reach for a dagger I never strapped on?
I was such a stupid fool. The dawning inadequacy sank in as I felt helpless.
Just as meaningful as the dagger, if not more so, I also lacked my protective charms from the Blackthornes.
Without them, any grand, unsanctioned magic was out of the question, too.
Even if I could pull it off, it would render me spider-helpless.
“I see the gears turning in your little mind.” He ran a finger through the dried bacon grease on the cast-iron skillet. “Fear not, for I have come to take away that terrible mental load of yours and just tell you what to do and when.”
“How did you get in here? How did you get past the Malefic wards?” The fact he managed that was trembling my palms. The instance where Riot and Spade debated on killing him, when suddenly Spade had said that Adder couldn’t be killed.
They’d alluded to the Vipers being something wicked, something perhaps magical…
I’d wondered as much myself from time to time, with their skills in hunting and an affinity for violence.
They seemed too well positioned, too poised, too lucky.
Something was amiss.
And the eldest of the Vipers was staring me down in my own kitchen.
“There were wards? That’s cute, Rumor.”
“Where’s the girl?”
“What girl?”
“I swear to every goddess above and below if you harmed her…”
Adder raised a mocking eyebrow. “All your time being a little whore for the Blackthorne Lords has muddled your mind, hasn’t it?”
My magic didn’t sense her. As crafty as Adder Viper was, it would appear the bulk of his gifts were within his muscles, not his brain. So, I didn’t think him a good liar. My breath came a little easier knowing that wherever Trinket was, she was better off there than in here with a Viper.
“Yes, well, clearly I’d rather be a Blackthorne whore than a Viper’s wife,” I said through a pasted-on, fake smile. “Now, kindly get the hell out of my house.”
“Actually, no, you don’t have a say in the matter. If you’re to be in Willowspire, which I am so graciously allowing, it will be as my wife.”
I could run. But what would that accomplish? This was the second time Adder had come to me with this nonsense. The first time had incited a “she’s mine” argument between three Blackthorne brothers. Speaking of which, where was my familiar?
On cue, Twenty pranced across the room and sat by my feet. “Oh, how nice of you to show up. Care to assist?” Twenty looked up at me with his two-toned eyes and meowed. “Nice,” I sneered. “Really helpful.”
With a belabored breath, I trudged over to the table and slumped into the chair. Crossing my arms, I gestured for Adder to sit. “Go on, I’m listening. Tell me what all this is about so I can get on with my life.”
Glancing at me cautiously, the eldest Viper brother pulled out his chair and took a seat. “You don’t want to perform the marriage rite with me,” he said plainly, folding his fingers on the table.”
I scoffed. “What gave you that idea? Oh, the fact I fucking hate you and your coward-ass brothers?”
“We weren’t so cowardly when we fought against the beasts you unleashed on the town, were we?
Weren’t so cowardly when I made it into the Blackthorne Castle to free you from your ignorant stupidity and bring you back, was I?
Your pride stifles any ounce of sense you could ever hope to obtain, Rumor.
Frankly, you’re the biggest fucking nuisance and one of the dumbest people I’ve ever met. ”
An indignant breath left my throat. “Then why the hell are you so bent on a marriage rite with me?”
“You have something I want.”
“Gross.”
“Not that.” Adder looked me up and down with disgust. “Don’t flatter yourself. You’re not my type or who I’ll seek out after we’re wed.”
“Out with it then.”
“Your abilities are like none other. Paired with ours, our union could be a formidable one. With enough combined resources, we could stand stronger as a town. Not be at the mercy of Asunder or anyone else.”
I stared at the scowling man before me. He looked too big for my kitchen chair.
It was also odd seeing a man in our all girls, only girls allowed, witches’ cottage.
“What makes you think I’d lend you any of my abilities?
Furthermore, in case you’ve been living under a rock like the slimy insect you are, magic is outlawed. ”
“There’s ways around those rules.”
That caught my attention.
“What do you mean?”
“Come with me back to the farm and I’ll show you.”
I shook my head. “You’re a real piece of work.”
“Regardless, I don’t really need your cooperation on the day-to-day. If you’d only produce an heir, or three, or six, that should be adequate.”
If I’d had water in my mouth, I would have spit it out. “An heir? You want me to bear your children? That’s what this is about? You’re sick in the head, Adder. As if I’d ever let your grubby hands near me.”
“Right, you only fuck daimons now, isn’t that right? Dark witch scum. Selfish, short-sighted bitch.”
The cottage creaked, and in a whoosh, the fire in the hearth extinguished, leaving us in the low light filtering through the windows. Adder glanced around, eyes wide.
“The house didn’t like you saying that to me. Wonder what it’ll do next?” I leaned on my elbows. “I’m not marrying you, Adder. And I’m sure as hell not mothering your cowardly offspring.”
“You’ll do it, and I know you will.”
“How can you know that? Your audacity astounds me. How could someone so mediocre be so full of himself?”
Adder reached into his back pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, slamming it down on the table in front of me. “This. This is how I know you’ll do it.”
I glared down at the folded page. “Did you write me a poem? Gosh, I didn’t know you could even write, Adder. But no, it won’t sway my affections. You’re disgusting to me now and you always will be.”
“Stop talking incessantly and read it.”
I narrowed my eyes at him for a moment, not wanting to listen just for the sake of not listening. But, as he stared me down, I realized he wasn’t leaving. Not until I at least saw what was on this ridiculous and worn piece of parchment.
“Fine,” I hissed, snatching up the page and unfolding it. In a lovely scrawl that stopped my every thought, the words laid out plainly before me:
“Dearest Rumor,
If you’re reading this, you’re likely so much older than you are as I write this. Goddess, that is hard to imagine. If you’re reading this, then the worst has happened, and your Matri and I are no longer with you.”
My throat tightened with a sob that felt more like a punch. My burning eyes met Adder’s hateful gaze. “Keep reading,” he ordered.
“I wish I could see you now. Hug you, tell you I love you. How much I loved being your mom. But, all I can offer is this:
Marry Adder Viper.
Prism should marry Birch.
I wish I could be there at your marriage rites. Being your girls’ mom has been the greatest magic of my life. I love you both immensely.
Love and light,
Always,
Mother
With shaking palms, I smoothed the letter out on the table. “This is fake. How would you even have something like this? Why would she give it to you?”
“You know it’s authentic. You’re dumb but you’re not stupid.
Well, no, actually you are both.” Adder crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, making it creak beneath his weight.
“Spirit Malefic gave that letter to my mother shortly before Spirit was taken and died. My mom gave it to me before she passed last year.”
“Why wait until now to show me if you’ve had it for a year?”
“Do you think I’m eager for this arrangement? It’s what’s necessary—like putting down a sick horse. Besides, why else do you think Birch went for your sister other than because I instructed him to?”
My teeth gritted together. “Your weak, cowardly brother is why my sister was taken.”
Adder shrugged. “He got cold feet. I don’t blame him if neither of us Vipers are rushing down the aisle to get saddled with a miserable Malefic girl.
However, your parents and my parents agreed.
Your coven blessed it. There are powers at play greater than our short-sighted desires.
Willowspire needs more… direction. We can offer that. ”
“Willowspire hates me right now.”
“For good fucking reason.” Adder leaned forward, his rancid breath hitting me in the nose from across the small table.
“You want to be able to use your magic freely without the rapture coming? You want to see that happen for your coven, as well? How much easier could you protect your sister if you had access to your full abilities, and the protection and backing of the Vipers behind you?”
“Why would I ever be tempted by Vipers when I have the Blackthorne Lords at my disposal?”
Adder snorted something like a laugh. “You’re their whore.
What have they done for you? They took an opportunity to use you and tear apart Willowspire.
They’ve not lifted a finger to rebuild, to aid in getting our supplies, or fend off any impending rapture.
Meanwhile, my brothers and I are working tirelessly to protect and defend our home.
You know they are the ones who allowed the withers to take maidens on their rites, right?
You could just as easily argue that the Blackthornes are why your sister was taken—not Birch. ”
Twenty hissed from somewhere beneath the table.
My cheeks warmed, though the room grew cold without the fire, and my fists clutched at my sides. “I’d like for you to get out of my house now.”