Chapter 5
Sybil
The room was so cold and dark. My teeth chattered, my body shivering from the chill that kept growing. The sound of metal scuffing against stone caught my attention, and I looked to the front of the cell, past the iron bars.
Arianna’s golden hair swayed as she pulled a barrel behind her, humming a sweet melody. My breath rushed out of me, and I crawled backward, pressing my back into the wall, hoping—praying—that it would swallow me whole before she came into the cell.
But it didn’t, and Arianna’s smile grew sharp when she spotted me there, cowering like a child. I tried to speak; I tried to beg for forgiveness, but my voice was gone. My mouth opened, yet no words came out.
Hot tears fell down my face as I pushed and pushed against that cold, frozen wall. Arianna’s smile grew wider, and she placed the barrel in the middle of the cell. She stalked closer, still humming that sweet song, her voice like honey.
Arianna stretched out her hand, and I tried to fight, tried to push her away, but my body was heavy and slow. I couldn’t do anything to stop her from grabbing my hair, dragging me to that barrel. Pain splintered across my scalp, and my cries vanished in the silence.
A shadow of a body flickered into view in the corner of the cell. I reached for it, begging for it to help me, but it stood there, unmoving. Its undistinguishable black face tilted, watching—waiting.
My shoulder hit the barrel, and before I could take another breath, my head plunged into the icy water. I screamed, the bubbles fluttering along my face, and I knew—I knew that once I fell into darkness, I would never be able to leave again.
My body jerked, my eyes flying open. Samian was shaking me, calling out my name.
His eyes were wide, his face pale and filled with fear.
I rasped out breath after breath, swallowing back the bile that rose.
I leaned against his chest, letting his presence surround me.
Samian’s hand rubbed warm circles against my back, his touch calming me.
I was safe. It was just a dream. I wasn’t in the dungeon. I was safe.
I repeated those words until my body settled down, until the tears that had fallen in my sleep stopped. Taking another trembling breath, I looked at Samian. “I dreamed about Arianna and what happened in the dungeon.”
“I know,” he murmured. “I felt your fear. When I pulled on our bond, I saw it—saw what was happening to you.”
I shivered against him, my stomach churning. “Were you the shadow I saw?”
Samian didn’t answer, but I heard how his heart raced. I felt him swallow thickly. “No, that wasn’t me,” he finally said. “I don’t know what that was, but I could feel its curiosity.” He released a too-tight breath, his arms wrapping around me.
He was right. Thinking back to the shadow, something about it did feel curious. I could feel the intensity from that eyeless stare, as if it was waiting to see what would happen, like it couldn’t tell what was needed from it, but knew that it was somehow required.
I shuddered again, pushing it out of my thoughts. The pale light of morning shone through my windows, the sun barely peeking through the garden's trees beyond my room.
Pulling away from me, Samian brushed his hand against my face, wiping away the lingering tears. “Let’s get cleaned up,” he said softly, giving me a weak smile. “I’ll see about breakfast while you bathe, okay?”
I gave him a slight nod and sniffed. I watched him stand from the bed, leaving the room.
There was tension in his shoulders and back that I'd missed last night, and I knew it was because of what he'd seen.
Exhaling, I leaned against the headboard, rubbing at the strain in my chest. Guilt curled around my heart, its sharp claws sinking in deep.
I hated that Samian had witnessed my dream. Hated how he saw me so scared and useless, unable to fight or scream against Arianna’s grip on me. Hated the way his fear showed across his face, knowing how weak I was against her. But he saw it. He saw it through our bond.
My heart fluttered as last night flashed across my mind, pushing away my anxiety.
My dream was quickly forgotten while I stared at the empty doorway, as if I could still see Samian there.
A tremor ran through my body, and my toes curled as I ran my fingers softly over my lips.
If Ambrose’s kiss was a flame, Samian’s was a pure inferno scorching me from the inside out.
My body—my blood—felt electrified when our lips touched, leaving me feeling wired and wanting more.
A quiet laugh left my lips before I could stop it, and I wondered how he had created the bond with Ezra and Aster.
If it was really a kiss that formed the bond, or if he said that because he wanted me to.
My blood heated at the idea of him longing for me just as I have for him, of him needing and caring for me.
I pulled my knees up, letting my hands fall to my thighs. The solid black bands of my bargain blared at me, instantly cooling any heat I felt. I took a breath and crawled out of bed. It was too much to think about, especially so early in the morning.
I padded into the bathroom, hesitating as I stared at the porcelain tub.
My dream made me feel raw and exposed. A dread I had never felt before wrapped around me while I stared down the seemingly endless depth, while flashes of Arianna pushing my head into the icy waters came to the front of my mind.
Shaking my head, I turned on the faucet, making it as hot as my body could endure.
I took off my clothes, peering in the mirror as the water filled the tub.
My bruise from the beithir was now a light greenish yellow, the poison from its stinger almost gone.
I checked for any other markings along my body, but thankfully, Aster’s magic healed everything Ambrose and Arianna had done.
Turning back to the bath, steam rose from the surface, and I dipped my toes in, hissing at the heat.
But I forced my body into the water, letting the high temperature burn away the memory of my dream as I melted into its warmth.
Taking a few steady breaths, I closed my eyes, leaning my head back against the porcelain, turning my mind to last night.
Hope and excitement bloomed within me. I was now working with the rebellion, and I still couldn’t believe it.
I still couldn’t believe that they were going to help me with my magic and my bargain.
And they didn’t seem afraid of me. Orin saw what I had done in Lowbrook.
Saw how I killed that male, even if it was by accident.
Yet, they had still treated me so warmly, like they were glad I was there and now a part of their group. And Kieran…
My face flushed, and I dipped my head under the water. After Samian told me about the other bond we shared since my twenties, I couldn’t help but wonder if Kieran and I had something similar. If the bond we had was what made my heart race when they both spoke to me mind to mind.
I stayed until my lungs burned and I rose above the water, gasping for air.
The water felt warm, like a heated caress against my skin.
It reminded me of how I felt under the intensity of Kieran’s stare when his eyes grazed along my body.
I swallowed and pulled my arms close to cover my breasts, as if Kieran could see me now.
The sound of the door opening and shutting pulled me out of my thoughts of dark crimson eyes, and I focused on cleaning myself, not letting my mind imagine two pairs of hands roaming down my body.
After I finished bathing, I quickly dressed myself in a simple navy tunic and black leggings and made my way to the living area where Samian waited.
He eyed me with an emotion that was unreadable before glancing at my hair that fell down my back, still too wet for me to braid.
I felt my cheeks burn under his perusal, but I ignored it and sat across from him, picking up a ham pastry.
Taking a small bite, Samian slid a card across the table that sat between us.
I stared at it before flicking my gaze to his. “It’s a note from Ambrose,” Samian said warily. “He wants to meet with us in about thirty minutes.”
I paled, the pastry suddenly tasting like ash in my mouth. “Is it because—”
Samian raised his hand, stopping me from speaking.
“Be careful of what you say out loud in the palace. The walls have ears we cannot see.” I sucked in a breath, unable to stop myself, and looked about the room while Samian continued.
“I’m sure it’s because Ambrose found out about Ezra, but I don’t believe he suspects us.
I have a feeling this meeting is to check in on your bargain, to see if you are still unwilling to follow his commands. ”
My stomach twisted at his words, at the reminder of what happened when I didn’t follow Ambrose’s orders. “Do you think he wants to see if I’ll willingly do as he says?”
“Yes, and you need to, no matter what. Just for now. We need him to think you are on his side so we can get more information about his future plans. Do you think you can do that?”
I hesitated, my face cringing at Samian’s request. “I don’t want to kill anyone else,” I murmured quietly.
“I know,” was all Samian said before letting the silence of the room ring around us.
I took another bite of the pastry and forced myself to swallow it down.
I knew I should eat more, but my stomach churned, and I couldn’t take another bite, so I stood and returned to the bathroom.
Grabbing my towel, I dried my hair enough to brush it and pull it back into a braid.
Once I was ready, I followed Samian through the palace hallways until we reached Ambrose’s office.
Both of us were quiet, our bodies tight when Samian knocked on the door.
I wavered when I heard the deep rumble of Ambrose’s voice telling us to enter.
As if knowing how I felt, Samian looked back at me, his face already set into his mask of indifference.
“Remember, do as he tells you, and you’ll be okay. ” I nodded, and Samian opened the door.
Samian went in first while I trailed in behind him.
Taking a quick glance around the office, Ambrose sat at his desk, giving me an arrogant smile.
His black tunic showed off the hard muscles of his chest. Arianna stood to his right, wearing a light pink silk dress that showed off every curve of her body; her lips were curled in a smile as sweet as the viper could manage.
Samian stopped in the middle of the room, inclining his head slightly to Ambrose.
Following his lead, I did the same, though I kept my eyes on his desk.
I couldn’t forget that he had lied and tricked me into this bargain.
I couldn’t forget how he relished in my pain, enjoying every moment I screamed.
If I looked at him now, catching that delight reflected in his gaze, I wasn’t sure I would be able to stand it.
“Nice to see you both,” Ambrose purred. “Especially you, my darling Sybil. You look…much better than the last time I saw you.”
Swallowing the urge to sneer, I kept my expression blank, though I could feel the blood draining from my face. “It’s nice to see you,” I murmured, hoping he couldn’t hear how hard my heart was pounding.
“I’m not sure if you’ve heard; however, it seems that Ezra has escaped from the dungeons. Do either of you know anything about that?”
I swallowed, my hands curling into fists, dread sending icy shards through my veins. My hands prickled, but the feeling of needles felt oddly soothing.
“Act surprised.” Samian’s voice whispered through my mind.
I cringed inwardly, forcing my head to whip up, hoping that it was shock that reflected in my eyes. “How?” I breathed, my brows furrowing together.
Ambrose’s lips dipped in a frown, his eyes going vacant for a moment before returning to normal.
“It doesn’t matter,” he hissed. I flinched at the edge in his voice.
Ambrose took a deep breath as if to rein in his temper.
“We have arrested the guards who were on duty, and they are being interrogated as we speak. Hopefully, we will learn more about his escape soon.” Ambrose rolled his neck and slid his gaze to me.
“I called you both here this morning to discuss our future arrangements. As of today, Sybil will be my grand paladin. You will act as my third-in-command, ensuring that those in my court follow my decree. You will also join me in my meetings with the fellow lords of this realm. Is that understood?”
“Yes,” I murmured, steeling myself. This is what Kieran and Samian wanted: someone on the inside, feeding them information and the plans Ambrose and his council had created.
But I knew there was more to it. The way his voice darkened, pausing when he mentioned his decree.
I was there to do his dirty work, to kill anyone who got in his way.
Samian shifted, his arm brushing against mine. “Breathe. It will be okay.”
I pushed out a breath, wrenching my eyes away from Ambrose to stare back at the desk.
The temperature of the room dropped, and my body tensed. Sensing the shift in the air, Samian took a step forward. “Do we know who will replace Ezra as the war general?” Aloof and detached, the words rolled off Samian’s tongue easily.
“No, not yet. I have a meeting planned with the other lords this afternoon. We will decide then. But I have called you both here for another reason. It seems that Queen Cassia sent word that she will extend her stay away from the palace yet again. In turn, given all that is happening with the rebels and Ezra, I’m planning to step into the role of acting king for safety reasons.
Of course, I need the council’s approval before I can tell the rest of our people, but I wanted to inform you two first, to make sure you still stood by my side. ”
I could feel the tension leaking off Samian from the lie, but Samian only knelt, putting his hand against his chest. I swallowed, looking back at Ambrose. His eyebrow rose as if daring me to say no. But I lowered myself, dropping onto my knee and placing my hand over my heart.
Ambrose chuckled, telling us to rise. We stood, and Ambrose’s face twisted with haughtiness. “Samian,” he purred, his voice becoming charged. “You may go. I need to speak to Sybil alone.”
I forced myself not to look at Samian, forced myself not to beg him to stay. Wariness crawled up my spine as Samian bowed low before turning and walking out the door.