Chapter 33 #3
Erik leans over, emotions swirling within his eyes. I spit into his face as he brings it closer to mine. It’s disgusting and rabid, but I’m pissed. He’d be lying dead if my hands weren’t tied.
Shadows flow from him, and the room descends into darkness.
Erik’s fingers slide under my tunic, and my insides churn, now revolting at his touch. He rips the top of my tunic, pulling it down and returns my gesture, spitting on the bite mark that hasn’t yet healed from earlier.
His grip on my arms is rough, painful as he yanks me to my feet. “You reek of him.”
“Erik!” My father’s voice cuts through the darkness. “You won’t last in the guard if you cannot follow orders.”
We both ignore him.
This is a fight that’s been brewing between us.
He’s wanted me for more than sex for so long, and I denied him.
Then Mikael shows up and he’s no longer of interest to me.
I’d be pissed too. The difference is he’s a jealous, advantage-seeking fucker, digging his own grave because he doesn’t know when to give up.
A wild, manic laugh bubbles up from me. “I needed a better fuck than you.”
Erik’s eyes go wide with fury, and before he can say anything else, I slam my skull into his nose. Fuck, that hurt. But so worth it. The room blinks back into existence as he roars.
He stumbles back, cursing and calling me every derogatory name he knows as blood streams from his nostrils.
“Enough,” my father commands, his voice booming. Erik’s entire body heaves with angry breaths, expression deadly. “Thank you for the intel. Ride back to the capital and let the captain know we’ll arrive shortly.”
Erik leaves my house with a bloody nose and a slight limp.
“Why did you give Erik a position in the guard?” I demand.
“Because he had information that was of interest to me.” My father crosses his arms over his chest. “Plus, I know you’ll make the filth disappear the next chance you get.”
“What…” I start, incredulously, unable to hide the shock that falls over me. “You’re not going to come after me for that?”
“He’s made too many enemies in his line of work,” my father says without a hint of emotion.
He drags me toward the door, and I let him as a dark laugh fills me. Revenge is a delicious nectar I can’t wait to drown in.
I don’t take lightly to being betrayed.
Oh, planning Erik’s demise will be fun, something to look forward to.
I pull myself from my thoughts. “How did you get into my house? It’s enchanted.”
“You’ve been drunk too many nights to remember all the people you’ve given access to your home.” A sad smile turns down at the corner of his mouth before his neutral expression returns.
Well, fuck. I don’t have any recollection of allowing my father to enter my house. Erik, on the other hand? Well, he was a distraction when I needed to take my mind off something.
When I say nothing, my father speaks again.
“I love you, Bryn, but the king knows Mikael is back, and he wants answers. I can’t protect you this time.”
Before we step outside, I resist, halting our progression. “I’ve been cursed to die. Mikael came back knowing the risks, to save me.”
I might as well try. I don’t expect him to believe me, or care. He is as loyal to his duties as he is to his king. Daughter or not, those come first.
My father eyes me, unsure if I’ve found a way to spin a lie about why Mikael is in Eidrfall.
Peylin finally speaks up. “It’s true, I’ve seen the magic of it, riddles inked into her skin.”
“Don’t get yourself involved.” His jaw tightens, eyes narrowing at Peylin as he continues. “You’ve already made yourself complicit, but out of respect for your father and my daughter’s friendship with you, I never saw you here tonight.”
“I only have days left,” I plead.
Hoping it’ll reach some kernel of care for his own kin, even though I know it’s useless.
“I’ll willingly come to the capital once we break the curse. He’s not planning on staying,” I add.
“I have orders. You weren’t careful enough.
You’ll have to see if your king is in a merciful mood.
Erik may have been your downfall, but I saw you and Mikael on that ship in Runaria.
I thought my vision was deceiving me, and I was convinced you wouldn’t dare allow him back into your life. Onto our lands.”
I scoff. The fae king can kiss my ass. His disdain for me is even greater than my father’s. The king will probably be glad that I’m going to die.
The general pushes me out my front door and into the arms of a guard who helps me onto a horse. He mounts his horse and barks orders to his guards. “You four, diamond formation around her. You six, fall in line.”
All this to escort me back to the capital? I roll my eyes. He’s treating me like a war criminal. “This is unnecessary.”
“I think I know my daughter,” he says gravely. “I trained you. Magic or not, you are a threat.”
I take that as a compliment and straighten my back, keeping my head held high as we make our way through the streets and out the main gate. I refuse to let the people of my city see me cower to the crown.