30. Esther #3
A cruel bubble of laughter rises. “Then try me. Explain to me what was so important to you at the Volmere auctions that you had to put me on display for?”
“Had I let you in on it, it would have jeopardized the fact that you might’ve acted on your own anyway. It’s not like you’ve exactly followed my orders in the past.”
“Because I’m your fucking hostage.”
His jaw ticks. “If I told you, then you might’ve fly-kicked Volmere across the tent and jeopardized everything I’ve worked toward. This way, if you did act independently, it appeared out of spite for the person who’d captured you.”
“You realize how crazy you sound, right?”
He steps into the symbolic blood circle and into my space, looming over me. “Oh, I’ve had years to become mad, but traveling and dealing with your mood swings have been the most insufferable version in all forms.”
I stab my finger into his chest. “You think you’re what, some kind of god that everyone has to listen to? Most assholes who put a woman up for auction can at the very least apologize.”
My heart pounds, rage bubbling to the surface as my veins feel like they’re filled with volcanic ash. He grabs my hand, pinning it to his chest, and I can feel his own racing heartbeat.
“You might’ve come back for me, but you only did so because it serves you.
” I let the truth of it hang between us.
“I will not help you.” His jaw grinds, and that pull between us grows taut, my body and magic swelling toward me as I rip my hand out of his, too scared of the temptation he holds over my body.
“To put it sweetly, you can go fuck yourself,” I add, crossing my arms over my chest. “I hope your trinket item from the Volmere auctions was worth it.”
“There is more at stake in all of this than just you and me.”
“There is no you and me. And the only people I care about are those whom I need to return to in my own kingdom. But you wouldn’t know anything about that because you don’t know who I am, but only what.”
The beads to the tent rattle back and forth as the old greer returns, holding a pitcher of water. Grimace recedes into my throat marking as her milky-yellow eyes dart to Regent and then me.
“I’ll excuse myself,” Regent says, darting out of the tent, and I can barely choke out for him to stop.
How does he know so much about omni greers when even my master could find very little about them?
And why does my heart hurt in such a way, knowing that I’ll only be used for it?
Master Kain always warned me that the moment my identity was found out, I could trust no one, but for some reason, it hurts most when it comes to Regent.
Which makes no sense since he is only a liar, cheat, and bandit, the worst kind, and yet…
“I would be inclined to let him rest some,” the old greer croons.
“Like you, he needs his rest. Three drore heads, a boar-like beast,” she adds as if I don’t know what a drore is, rattling more items. “Two red stones. Fernwood, which can only be found on the highest and coldest mountain, days from here, that he obtained within a few hours. And the scales of the sirens who had cursed you, but he could only bring me a pocket of ashes.”
“What are you saying? What is all of that?” I cut her off before her list continues.
“That, my girl, is only the start of the list of things I required to lift your curse. If he wanted only your power, he would’ve simply turned you into a randor blade as you slept. He has not slept the entire week you have lain here cursed.”
“A whole week?” my voice cracks.
“And there is more you should be grateful to him for.” She grabs the goblet of water and passes it over to me.
“Before I show you, you must know you cannot come out of this circle until dawn, or it’ll undo my enchantment.
So, don’t be stupid. And a word of warning, members in this camp are sensitive to Felia-blessed magic.
When you anger quickly, it ripples throughout the camp and unsettles us all. ”
My left eye twitches as she throws the insult in for good measure, like she’s lecturing her grandchild. “With all due respect, you don’t know what he’s done to me.”
“I’m sure plenty of unreasonable things,” she croons.
“He is as unyielding as he is reliable. It is not him I am warning right now. Watch your emotions, girl. It’s the catalyst to Felia-blessed greers losing to the madness of power.
It is almost, if not always, the easiest option.
You can either choose to be a victim to it or learn to control it. ”
My nails dig into my palms at the way she lectures me, and yet there’s a subtle reminder of Master Kain that I almost latch on to appreciatively.
“Remember rest is also important.” She holds one finger up before turning toward the tent door. “I’ll give you some time to talk before checking on your wounds. Remember, don’t leave the circle.”
My eyebrows pinch together as I watch her hobble back out. A gloved hand catches the tent door, and my heart stammers when I catch sight of the icy blue eyes of an assassin.
Blaze.