XXXVII | SNAPPED
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"Little pup, why did you run away?" he hummed, grin faltering into a sleazy tight-lipped smirk.
He looped an arm around Celvene's shoulders, pulling her closer.
The faint smell of blossoms dissolved into a mixture of burnt runespowder and cigar smoke.
Celvene resisted the urge to scrunch her nose.
It was like he'd forgotten all about how their last meeting had gone.
"Were we that bad? I thought you'd died trying to get to the castle. I felt awful."
Celvene wanted to lash out. She wanted to tell him she never wanted to see his face again; that she was only here for protection, for her own safety, and she didn't want to speak a word to him. She wanted to slap him as hard as he'd slapped her. She wanted to do something.
Instead, her heart sank, willing her to stay quiet, like she always had. Last time had been a fluke. Maybe she could stand up to Aleksandr, but that was easy when she didn't know him. When he had no real power over her currently, aside from stealing the throne.
Korvin, on the other hand... He'd constantly threatened her job. Her home. Her life. Her parents, her friends, anything he could think of to force her to stay. She'd learned to keep her mouth shut if she wanted true protection. She knew it was stupid of her to stay silent.
That didn't stop her trembling voice from slipping past her lips. She still felt the sting of his slap against her cheek from the previous time.
"No, of course not. Painted Sky was wonderful," said Celvene, shrugging off his hold as gently as she could. Her voice was quiet, a stark contrast to the confident, loud tone she'd been boasting just moments before.
She hated how soft-spoken she grew around him. She hated that she was afraid of him. She had no reason to be. He was nothing but a sordid manipulator who evaded his taxes, yet the mere sight of him was enough to make Celvene feel worse than the night her parents surrendered her.
"Why would you leave otherwise? Nothing is more important than family, Celvene," replied Korvin, tipping his hat backwards and leaning back on his heels.
His smile hadn't left his face. It wouldn't leave his face.
His eyebrows upturned and his eyes grew wide, like he was pouting.
"You abandoned us, Celvene, especially after your little.
.. outburst. You need to rectify that, don't you?
I'm willing to forgive you if you play your cards right. "
This isn't my family. My family is far, far away from here.
But she couldn't bring herself to say that. "I..."
She knew he was wrong. So why couldn't she verbalize it? Why did she continue to let him strike her down when she was so much more than he could ever be? Looking toward the mirror, she frowned. Her sad reflection scowled back at her.
"Look at me, pup," Korvin said, snapping his fingers. Celvene stifled a sigh before meeting his gaze. Why did she allow him to treat her this way? Why couldn't she summon that courage from before, the bravery that let her stand her ground against Aleksandr and—for once—Korvin?
"What?" she said.
"You know better than to turn your back on your family, pup. We took you in when your parents abandoned you."
Hot, welcomed rage flushed in Celvene, and her jaw locked. "Excuse me? Abandoned?"
"They left you behind to go chase unattainable fantasies.
I was more of a father to you than they ever were.
Yet I have never received a thank you, or any ounce of appreciation, or a hug.
Despite this, I haven't punished you for it.
I have been merciful. Perhaps one day you will grow up and see how well I've treated you, my girl. "
She'd put up with Korvin's chastising and manipulation for years.
She'd taken it all with a feigned grin plastered on her face.
She'd never doubted that this was what she needed to do to survive.
But now, she was realizing that was anything but the truth.
Korvin needed her. Yet here he was, acting like she was dependent on him, when she was in line to become the queen of the kingdom he lived in.
She'd let him treat her like trash for years.
And something in her was done with it. Finally, this time; she knew there was no going back.
"You know what, Korvin? I'm sick of you.
I'm sick of your games, and your punishments, and your tricks.
I'm sick of how you use people like they're chess pieces, then you discard them when you've lost the match.
You're successful because people are too kind to rise against you.
You'd fall the moment someone like Gurin decided he's had enough of your mistreatment," said Celvene.
The words were tumbling out of her mouth faster than she could process, and despite the venom she spat them out with, something about finally saying all this was cathartic.
She'd said it before, yes, but a dam had burst; she would never be afraid of Korvin again.
"What did you just say? Repeat that, girl."
"You heard me, Korvin. I'm sick of this.
This is why I left, and didn't look back.
I only came back to see Quinn. I didn't want to step foot in this trash-ridden, pathetic excuse for a circus.
I am going to become queen of Aizasea, and perhaps once that crown is sitting on my head, you will gain respect for me.
Because if you don't, I will force you to respect me. "
"Insolent pup. Tshca," hissed Korvin, grabbing at her face. But she wasn't slow anymore. She stepped to the side, avoiding his blow with ease, and glowered at him. She wouldn't raise a finger, yet she would win in this fight. She was sure of it.
"Your nasty words don't hurt me anymore," said Celvene.
It was true; the constant blows she received from other men who were somehow more respectable than Korvin had hardened her.
Her growing confidence as she found her place in the kingdom had strengthened her.
She couldn't bring herself to believe any disgusting insults he threw her way.
It was odd—she'd been so scared of Korvin, but she didn't fear Aleksandr all that much, when he was an actual threat.
But now, she couldn't bring herself to feel scared of Korvin. A welcome change.
Korvin's face hardened. "The truth may be hard to hear, bu—"
"Lies wrapped in ribbons are still untrue."
"My grace has its limits," he said. The edges of his grin faltered, and a flash of a frown crossed his lips, but it was gone as soon as it came. "You can stop this whining and be a good pup, or I'll make y—"
"You'll make me what? Regret it?"
Korvin paused for a moment, studying her in silence, before his lip curled. "Yes."
"The only thing I regret is not standing up to you sooner.
Permanently," said Celvene. Though her nerves were jumbled, she refused to show any sign of fear.
To show fear was to show weakness, and Korvin preyed on any sign of weakness.
"I refuse to stay here. I don't know why I thought it was a good idea coming back. "
"You need us. You need me." Korvin's smile shrank ever so slightly. Now, his voice was frantic and indignant. "What would your family think of you leaving again so soon? You're hurting them. You're hurting all of us."
"Time will pass anyway. I'm sure you didn't notice I was gone until you needed your precious exotic pet to run the gambling tent."
"You're nothing without us. Without me," said Korvin, his features darkening. "I've taught you better than this, Celvene. You know not to speak back. I was willing to forgive your emotions previously, but you've crossed a line tonight."
"I don't care anymore. These threats mean nothing to me. You have no power over me anymore. And soon enough, I'll be the one calling the shots."
"You're not worthy of that crown," Korvin said, baring his teeth in a snarl. "I'll make sure General Litvinski knows of this, you impudent child."
"My first move will be to throw you in the dingiest cell in the castle. The second? Well, word's gotten around that you own a few meziths. I'm sure they would be fine pets for the castle."
Korvin's face quivered with rage, and he opened his mouth.
Before he could speak, however, an ear-splitting screech tore through the circus tent, followed by a boom strong enough to rock the dirt floor.
Celvene nearly lost her balance, and Korvin fell to one knee, gripping the sparse grass blades that poked through the soil for support.
Her head snapped towards the explosion, hands reaching for her daggers but patting air.
She wasted no time in throwing open the drawer of the makeup mirror; she knew Quinn kept a dagger in it in case of someone who was too eager to meet the circus performers.
Grabbing the smooth hilt, she pushed past Korvin towards the exit.
But she spared one last glance at the man who both supported her and held a tyrannical fist above her head ever since she'd arrived in Aizasea in search of a new life.
"This isn't over," Korvin seethed, body twisted with rage. "May the gods grant you mercy, Celvene, because if I see you again, I won't."
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