Chapter 47
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
TYNAN
Just in a matter of minutes, Steiner went through several stages of disbelief, anger, whining and finally acceptance, before he stopped fighting the restraints.
Then I dragged a chair directly in front of him.
The sound of wood scraping against the floor pierced the silence.
Denis adjusted the sleeve of his flying suit, looking out the window.
Two clan warriors came in to collect Mayer’s body and walked out of the room. A moment later, only a wide red stain was all that remained of the young man.
I wanted to show you that I can . . .
Denis remained by the door. I looked up, meeting his eyes. With a nod I let him know that I wanted to be alone with the prisoner.
“You’re wasting your time. I’m not going to talk.” Steiner sneered.
I waited for Denis to leave the room and lock the door behind him.
“Do you hear me?” Steiner raised his voice.
I could clearly detect the notes of panic hidden underneath his artificially confident voice.
“What are you going to do with me?”
I continued silently watching him.
“Why are you looking at me? Do you hear me?”
My mind drew more violent pictures and I saw myself slicing his face open.
I squinted, focusing on the way his throat bobbed.
Beads of sweat formed on his face and trailed under the outstretched collar of his flying suit.
My eyes landed on the throwing knife I still held in my hand.
There were other ways I could make him talk.
I wanted to show you that I can . . .
I had always been partial to knives. Knowing how to wield a set of knives saved my life so many times, especially when I was physically weaker than the other males in the clan.
The kids I was once forced to fight against, along with their older siblings and fathers, were now under my command.
None of us ever thought about how fucked up it was that all of us had to pretend that we never cut each other in the training circle.
I met Steiner’s eyes. He kept talking, calling me names, shouting, but I hardly listened.
I waited, scrutinizing him. I already knew that I could break him because I had broken so many others before.
Because I knew how. Because I was good at it.
Punishing, killing. The one thing my clan had done extremely well, they made me into a weapon.
I wanted to show you that I can . . .
Not breaking eye contact I stepped toward him. Steiner shifted in the chair as if he could somehow get away from me.
What would Alina say if she knew this about me? Would she be shocked, disgusted, or frightened? I managed to hide my true self from her pretty well, but with every new obstacle, every new challenge, my true identity was peeking out from under the mask I wore.
“What do you want from me? I’m a soldier, just like you. I had orders. I only did what I was told!”
I rotated the blade in my hand and let it free fall, the sharpened edge struck right above Steiner’s knee. The knife pierced through the leather suit, through skin and flesh, slicing through the bone.
I wanted to show you that I can . . .
Steiner yelped, thrusting against the bonds. The force of his jolts tipped the chair to the side. He wailed, hitting the floor. Still he kept resisting, growling as he inched along the floor, trying to crawl away.
I kneeled in front of him, taking out my second knife.
“No! No! No! I will tell you everything. Please . . .”
His eyes widened, I could see the white around his irises. He reminded me of a wounded animal that knew that it was going to die.
“It was Rutherford, it was his idea. Everything. He sent the message to the capital and they told him to stop you and her . . . at any cost. He said that you would want to merge the two clans and make us surrender the city to your people. I’ll tell you . . . I’ll tell you everything.”
I kept watching the reflection on the surface of my blade. Snow white curtains swayed in the window framing the evening sky.
“The seer told them the heiress . . . might be carrying a child and they want it gone. The poison was for her.”
I squeezed the blade so hard that a sharp pain traveled through the palm of my hand. A bead of blood rolled down my thumb and landed on the wooden floor.
“What did you say?” I jerked him upright and held him by the throat.
“A package was delivered this evening. It had enough poison that even just opening it would be a lethal dose to any dragonborn. It’s already too late. No one could survive that.”
The blade moved on its own. With a smooth, precise motion, the knife plunged into the side of his neck right where he got Mayer. His head dropped to the side. I was already in the hall.
I started running toward the castle. Then I transformed and lifted into the air, not looking back.
Shouts sounded from the ground. Several warriors quickly transformed, closely following me as I dived toward the castle.
The sky appeared artificially low, almost touching the spikes on the roof as I crashed through the window into the room Alina and I occupied.
At first, I could only hear glass shattering, then footsteps and yelling in the corridor. My eyes adjusted to the shadows of the room and a devastating feeling took total control.
Two feet on the floor extended beyond the bed. Blood roared in my temples, bright red spots filled my vision and a low animal-like growl escaped my throat.
“Alina!”
I had to take a step closer, I had to see her. And for a long moment, I could not move. There would be no life without her.
A sharp noise sounded from somewhere nearby. My dagger slipped from my hand, cutting my fingers. Blood poured onto the floor as I stepped closer.
The simple dress, the thin hand and then the light colored braid. It was not Alina. It was her maid.
Someone's arms wrapped around my shoulders and I was pulled back.
“It’s not her. It’s not her! We need to leave the room.” Denis pushed me toward the door. “Let me find her. I’m sure she’s fine. Let me bring her to you,” Denis said, but I could not concentrate on the words that left his mouth.
I pushed him aside and sprinted down the corridor. Madness was closing in, taking over every thought. I needed to see that she was alright.
Down the hall, were two maids carrying straw baskets.
“Where is my wife?” I darted toward them.
“Milord! The dining hall, milord?” one of them responded.
I ran down two sets of stairs. The double doors were wide open. Courtiers spilled into the gallery, talking, sharing gossip.
“Where’s my wife?” I grabbed the forearm of one of the white clan’s knights.
“The heiress was with Lady Augusta,” he responded.
“Where is she?” I yelled.
“I heard them talking about visiting Lady Augusta’s father.” Someone offered.
“Where?”
“Milord? I can take you.” A young knight stepped forward.
“Now!” I growled.
“Of course. As you wish, Your Majesty.”
I yanked him toward the set of stairs and we sprinted up.
Was it a trap? Did the daughter of the traitor lure Alina into the room?
Was it too late? No, she was alive. I could still feel her in every breath I took.
She was alive because my blood still pumped through my veins, because my heart was still beating.
I knew it in my bones that her last breath would be my last.
“How far is it?” Denis shouted behind me.
“We’re almost there.”
We entered a long corridor where several knights were guarding the entrance. My sole intent was getting through the door without even stopping for the guards.
“Milord, we can’t let you . . .”
I threw the man out of my way and the back of his head crashed against the wall.
The second knight reached for his weapon but Denis brought his arm up and punched him in the chin.
Knowing Denis could handle the rest of the men, I booted the door, drawing my sword.
The black steel was craving blood and my very being had turned murderous, maniacal.
“Alina!” I shouted.
In the large, brightly lit room, on top of the thickly covered bed was a frail looking man with curly, paper white hair and fright in his eyes. I went straight to him as I extended my arm, leading with my sword.
“Where is my wife?” I spoke slowly so he could understand through his fear.
I took another step closer, shortening the distance between us. I could clearly feel the agony and panic in the old man’s eyes. But, all I could see was his son. Another Rutherford coward who only looked noble.
“Your last words?” I snarled, focusing on his shaking, wobbly neck.
A sudden movement jolted me as Alina stepped between me and old Rutherford. My blade pressed against her throat and a drop of crimson appeared on her smooth, porcelain skin. Her bright eyes were full of fire and disapproval. Her coral lips parted and I caught myself forgetting why I was even here.
“Alina?”
“Remove your sword!” Her voice sounded cold and commanding.
The impossible pressure left my body. Only then could I release the breath I had been holding.
“Father!” Augusta immediately darted to Rutherford.
“Milord?” Denis stepped to my side.
I could not take my eyes off Alina. She met my gaze, furious, and even more beautiful. Slowly, I lowered my weapon, not taking my eyes off her.
My mate. My Queen. Storm and fire to my soul.
“Lord Rutherford has agreed to surrender his title to his older daughter. Everything is set. We are going to announce it in the morning.” Alina raised her chin.
“Milord, what are your orders?” Denis asked.
Alina did not take her eyes off me. She was angry, fuming. She had a right to be furious. I left her to deal with the court, on her own, and she had solved everything. She worked out a deal. She talked to the daughter and convinced her to form an alliance that worked for both clans.
“So be it,” I said, sheathing my blade.