Chapter 15 #2
Because nothing says budding nemesis-ship like the desecrated corpse of her would-be murderer. I’m thoughtful when I put my mind to it.
For a moment, she just stares at me as if trying to parse whether I’m joking.
I’m really, really not.
But slowly, impossibly, the corner of her lips twitch—and then I hear it. A short burst of laughter. A fragile thing, barely there and gone too fast, but real.
My chest squeezes. Do it again, I almost command. Do it until I get sick of it.
“Corpse mutilation is a waste of your talents,” she says, still smiling. “Sweet thought, though. In a disturbing, deranged sort of way.”
“I have my moments.” I trace the shape of her scar again in a leisurely drag that makes her breath catch.
I want to memorize every bump and ridge, every mark and hollow.
To paint the patterns of her pain with my fingertips until I’m able to recall them blind.
“He went for your throat like a craven because he knew that’s where he could steal your voice. ”
Where he could leave her silent and small. The kind of woman who bargains death with a god deserves better than cowardice.
The Devaliant’s face shutters, all that lovely amusement fading. “Yes. The healers did their best, but…” She trails off with a half-shrug. “My voice was never quite the same after.”
I curve my palm around her nape, fingers sinking into her hair. Power unspools from me in slow, pulsing waves, and the Devaliant tenses at the first electric lick of it over her skin. The instinctive flinch of prey.
“Name all your enemies,” I say. “Everyone who might hurt you.”
A considering pause. “Well, there’s you. Obviously.”
This fucking girl.
“Someone other than me. I want to know who might think to snatch you off the board before I’ve finished playing with you.” I tighten my grip, relishing her sharp inhale. “Give me names.”
“I hardly think it matters at this point.”
“It matters,” I growl, “because now you’re an Unclaimed Devaliant.
” I tap her bare wrist where Alexios’ mark used to glow.
“Which makes you a prize. Every human and demi in the realms will be salivating at the chance to collar you.” To rip you open and rearrange all the messy bits into a shape that pleases them.
She looks away. “Look, just take me back to Vartena and let me deal with the person who tried to kill me on my own terms. Give me time to say goodbye to my sister. I’m sure you’ll get your piece of flesh from me before anyone else.”
“Tell me you’re not completely helpless, at least.” I duck my head to meet her gaze. “That you can use a blade. Anything that might make me believe you won’t be dead within an hour of crossing the Shroud.”
The Devaliant’s expression shutters. “I’m a Princess of the Blood. We don’t fight. We bleed.”
Of course. Of course, they taught her jack shit. They wanted her soft and yielding. Built for the altar, for bearing little Devaliant brats to continue the line of Anchors.
I can keep Alexios and Bastien off her scent until I hunt her down. But whoever dumped her on that ridge and left her to bleed out in the cold? Any other filth who sees the Devaliant and feels entitled to her?
Too many variables. Too many opportunities for someone to steal her. She wouldn’t last a day.
“Change of terms,” I say on impulse.
The Devaliant stills. “Sorry?”
“I’m not taking you back yet. You’re staying here.”
“No.” She jerks away, nearly falling off my lap. “You can’t—you’re not Claiming me, are you? After what Alexios did—”
I catch her wrist, squeezing. “Would you shut up for five seconds? I don’t want a Claim, you impossible creature.
” Her pulse hammers against my fingers. So fragile.
So damn breakable. “How exactly do you plan to get revenge? I’m betting the person who put you on the Duehavn has guards, right?
Protection detail you’d have to get through?
And the only blades you’ve handled are the ones you’ve used on yourself and whatever butter knife they trusted you with at dinner. ”
Her jaw clenches. I’ve struck a nerve. “Then teach me to fight.”
I don’t hesitate. “Done.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. She wasn’t expecting that—probably assumed I’d laugh at her. “Just like that? I thought you detested me.”
“Oh, I fucking loathe you.” It’s important she understands this, that every mercy and moment of kindness are gifts I grant for my own amusement.
“I hate everything about your family. The sound of your name makes me want to tear out your throat. But I have no intention of letting anyone else kill you. Nothing that’s mine gets broken unless I’m the one to break it. ”
“How generous of you.”
“I’m a giver.”
Silence stretches. I let it linger, let her consider my offer, watching emotions chase across her face as she weighs her options.
“Wait.” She shifts on my lap. “I thought Alexios wanted my corpse.”
I shrug. “Alexios will get what’s left when I’m done. As far as he needs to know, scavengers got to you first. They would have if Amara hadn’t found you.”
“And what price am I expected to pay for this?” she asks with a scowl. “What do you get out of it?”
I stroke my knuckles down her cheek. “I’m not doing this out of the goodness of my heart.
If it hasn’t escaped your notice, I’m prone to destructive behavior in my boredom, and you’re the worst idea I’ve had in centuries.
I’m curious to see what sort of monster I can shape you into, given time and a blade. ”
Her brows knit together in indecision. She’s so easy to read, even as she tries to lock herself down and bury all her soft places behind a facade of fire and thorns and defiance.
“Here’s my negotiation,” I continue, almost gently.
“You can crawl back to Vartena and spend your numbered days trying not to get eaten alive. Or you can stay here and be my temporary entertainment. The more interesting you are, the longer you live. So take what I’m offering, extend this short mortal life with me a little more, and walk out my door ready to claim your retribution.
” My hands stroke down her sides, fingertips dragging over each ridge of her ribs.
“But remember this. Your death is mine. It’s always been mine.
And when I get bored and you stop being fun?
” I wrap my fingers around her throat. “I’ll hunt you across both realms and through the Shroud itself.
And when I find you, I’ll rip you open and eat your heart while it’s still beating. ”
Some dark and ravenous emotion flickers in the Devaliant’s face. “Maybe I’ll get good enough to carve out yours first.”
Laughter rumbles out of me. Oh, she’s going to be so much fun to conquer. I can’t wait to see what she looks like by the time I’m through with her. “I’m counting on you trying.”
She inhales a shuddering breath. I watch her piece herself together, shore up her crumbling walls, attempting to hide all that human vulnerability. It’s cute.
“When I’m ready—when I say I’m ready—you’ll take me to Vartena and give me a three-day head start to settle my business. And you won’t ever Claim me. Promise.”
I study her face. Something about her makes me want to push until she pushes back. “Worried I might keep you?”
“Swear it.”
My mouth curves into a slow smile. “You have my word. No Claims. Just an agreement between a god and his new toy.”
Her eyes flare. She holds my gaze like she’s planning the ways she might try to kill me. She’d fail, but I’d admire the attempt. “I’ll stay if you never call me that again.”
I squeeze her throat slightly as a reminder that I’m being merciful enough to let her negotiate when I can rip her apart.
“You’ll stay because you need my mercy more than I need your entertainment.
” I lean in close, whispering, “So I’ll call you whatever the fuck I want. Toy. Pet. Mine. Still interested?”
Her lip curls in a little snarl at that. “Fine. Deal.”
And just like that, I’ve got myself a Devaliant to play with.