House of Ice & Shadows (Myths & Outlaws #2)

Prologue

“The Queen wants a word with you.”

Gisela Bloodthorn paused in cleaning her ornate black sword to look up at the handsome blond centaur who dared disturb her during her rare quiet time.

If Adsel had entered her room for any other reason than the queen’s business or had been any other creature, she’d have speared his head to the wall.

But as Queen Meara’s right-hand flunkey, he was spared her wrath.

Dealing with the queen was enough punishment for anyone.

She didn’t need to add to his poor misery.

Knowing it was illegal for her to be armed in the presence of her queen, she set her sword aside.

As soon as she stood, Adsel led her from her room and down the gilded hallway to where the queen waited in her gaudy, ornate throne room that was so overdone, it was hard not to shield her eyes.

While Meara had no taste in furnishings, she was an elegant beast when it came to her personal appearance.

Her brown equine half was always well groomed.

She wore her long black hair in an intricate series of braids that entwined with her jeweled crown.

Dressed in a navy jacket similar to the dress uniforms of their military officers, she looked every bit the regal monarch.

Before Adsel could announce her, Gisela stepped around him and cleared her throat. “You summoned me, Majesty?”

That break in protocol was enough to chafe Meara, which was fine by Gisela. As Meara so often said, Gisela had been born for no other purpose than to irritate her.

It was one of many things she excelled at.

Growling, Meara moved to stand in front of Gisela. “I have need of your unique…skills.”

Gisela had to lock her jaw to keep from saying something sarcastic such as…“What? You didn’t summon your assassin for a sweet treat?”

After all, Meara never summoned her for any reason other than she wanted someone killed.

Another thing she was really good at. All thanks to Meara and her court.

“And that is, my queen?” She might as well play the game since Meara seemed to be in the mood for it.

“I need you to find the ataswere my contract with King Deciel is written on and bring it to me for protection.”

Shocked, she arched a brow at that unexpected assignment. Protect someone? Was Meara sick? She never wanted anyone’s life preserved. Death. Mayhem. Chaos. Those were her sustenance.

The queen was known for her cruelty and ruthlessness. Carried out by others, of course. But merciless always.

“And if this ataswere refuses?” Which was a good bet given that they were a warrior race that magically wrote contracts on their own flesh and guaranteed the terms with their well-honed skills.

Once done, the only way for a signer to get out from under their contract was to kill the ataswere who held the terms on their skin.

That was a lot harder than it sounded.

Meara’s eyes darkened. “I don’t care if it protests or not. Bring it here. Do whatever you must, just don’t let the ataswere die.”

“And which ataswere am I after?”

Her queen often left out vital details as she assumed everyone around her was capable of mind-reading. Even those who found it hard at times to follow Meara’s ever-shifting thoughts.

Irritated, Meara sneered at her. “Obviously the one who bears my contract with King Deciel.”

That was completely unhelpful and gave her no idea which demon she was being sent after.

It made sense that the queen would want that contract. Whereas Meara was strictly queen of the centaur homeland, Thassalia, Deciel was the High King of all Thirteen Kingdoms, and ruler of the unicorn race and their lands of Licordia.

But now she was even more confused. They were at war with Dash and his army, so why go after a contract demon when the more obvious target would be to kill King Dash?

“Why not have me execute the king for you, Majesty?”

That garnered a furious huff from Meara.

“Why do you think, imbecile? Aside from the fact that neither of us is allowed to invade the other’s kingdom, we’re not allowed to assassinate each other, either.

Or cause the other any harm. At. All. Those were the terms.” Shaking her head, she gnashed her teeth. “I can’t believe I agreed to that.”

Oh. That was an unfortunate clause and not like her queen at all. She couldn’t imagine Meara ever agreeing to such a thing.

Unless she was drunk or temporarily out of her mind.

“If I know Dash,” Meara sneered, “and I do, he already has one of his Outlaws searching for the demon to execute it. Probably all of them. Get to the demon first and preserve its life. Bring it here so that we can guard it. Once it’s in my kingdom, it would be an act of war for them to kill it. So get it here as fast as you can.”

“Yes, my queen.” Gisela inclined her head and took a step back.

As she started to leave, Meara grabbed her arm. “Do not fail me.” Her ominous tone was impressive.

“I never fail.” Not a boast, just a mere statement of fact.

Meara released her. “And Gisela?”

“Yes?”

“If you find any of his Outlaws on your journey, kill them too. And if you succeed in doing this for me, I’ll give you what you want most.”

Her heart skipped at those words.

It’s a trick…

It had to be. Meara never gave anyone what they wanted.

So she made sure to clarify the terms. “And that is, my queen?”

“Your freedom. On my honor. You keep the beast alive and return here with it and I’ll make sure you never again have to serve me. I’ll free you from my service.”

She couldn’t move for a full minute as those words fully sank in. Meara had never used this carrot before.

And she was right, it was the one thing Gisela wanted most. To never have to kill again…

Never have to be Meara’s sword or even speak to the bitch.

It was the one thing she’d sell her soul for.

Freedom…there was nothing she wouldn’t do for it. But she knew better than to get excited.

More than that, she knew better than to let Meara know her thoughts or her feelings. So, she kept her expression guarded and made sure Meara didn’t know how much Gisela’s heart was racing at the prospect.

Clearing her throat, she inclined her head. “Yes, Majesty.” Without another word, she headed back toward her room to get her sword and small travel pack that was always kept at the ready.

Though to be honest, it’d been a while since she’d been sent on a mission. Meara normally kept her close at hand.

Not that Meara trusted her.

The queen trusted no one. Which was exactly why she kept Gisela at her side and had trained her so viciously. As the queen’s personal assassin, Gisela’s assignments had always been to take out whatever or whoever annoyed Meara. No matter how petty the insult. Or unintentional.

It wasn’t something Gisela relished or wanted, but it was the only trade she’d ever been trained for. And one she was dreadfully good at.

Gisela grabbed her traveling cloak, grateful that she would be able to save a life this time and not take it. It felt good to have a noble cause for once.

And to finally be free?

She clenched her fists as a giddy rush went through her, and she suppressed her excitement again.

Of course, there was one serious problem. How could she find a specific ataswere? There were thousands of them. Literally, thousands. Tens of thousands.

It was a daunting task she was set on.

Succeed or die. That was Meara’s rule. Her queen knew nothing of mercy.

And neither did Gisela.

I will seek the beast, and I’ll bring it back. Whatever it took.

She just prayed she reached the ataswere before her enemies did.