Chapter 45 #2
“See, and that’s where you’re wrong. Whoever rescued you took significant risks to keep you alive. I need to know how and why.”
“Well, I won’t tell you.”
“Miss Ortha, did you know that right after you fled, my only wish was to subject you to the same death you gave to my son?”
“What’s stopping you? Like I said, I won’t tell you a single word.”
“No, but I have a feeling others would, given the right motivation. After all, you didn’t travel alone. Who are the men who have been protecting you all this time?”
Bait. He was talking about baiting the others. Well, such an attempt would be in vain, considering how I’d fled from Dion, but Feroy didn’t need to know that. The others, even though I believed we’d become friends over the last months, were loyal to the princeling first and foremost.
“Do you think I’d be alone if anyone cared where I was?”
“We’ll have to see, won’t we?”
It was now or never. We were a few paces away from the guards. I yanked my dagger from my skirts and charged at Perran Feroy, who didn’t even flinch.
I had almost reached him when I was jolted back. A hand tightly circled my wrist and squeezed until I dropped my blade and screamed in pain.
No, no, no. Please Immaru, please. This couldn’t be happening!
I struggled against the grip, kicked, and tried to bite. Panic had me in its grip, and I thrashed like a feral beast possessed. The guard holding me let out a displeased grunt as my foot connected with some part of his leg. Good.
The King of Merchants appeared at my side, and before I could react and switch my target, a sharp pain blossomed in my neck, just inches above the darkness living under my skin.
What was that?
My eyes widened as I noticed the needle Perran held that he’d used to inject something into my flesh. Oh no, what in the good gods’ names? Now, I needed to get away more than before.
A wave of nausea hit me so hard that I stilled in my struggles.
“Do you know, Miss Ortha, why I’ve brought so many men with me to catch a single wild woman like you?”
Dizziness spread through my limbs, and clouds wrapped around my thoughts. Even if I’d wanted to, I couldn’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Swaying, I realized the guard had released me, and I stumbled a few steps to the side before simply collapsing to the ground.
“It’s funny, seriously. You see, Miss Ortha, it was a delight to watch you plot to outmaneuver me, to lure me away from my protection while I was unarmed.
And yes, you may have seen my guards staying behind me, but because of their numbers, you didn’t notice the one who slipped away, besting you at your own game. ”
“Bastard.” My voice sounded slurred, and my head was spinning. I glared up at Perran Feroy, who loomed over me like a bad omen of doom—or rather, the two of them I saw. Whatever this was, I had to fight it faster, or my prospects would look even worse. I had to resist, I simply had to.
A coughing fit rattled through me, and ice crawled through my veins. My muscles began to contract painfully, and it was impossible to suppress a pathetic whimper.
“Shh, Miss Ortha. Soon, the mild poison I’ve given you will have you fully in its grip. Don’t worry, it won’t kill you, but it’ll definitely subdue the savage bitch you are for a while. And I must say, I quite like the foam coming out of your mouth. It’s a nice touch, wouldn’t you say?”
“What is…your plan?” It was hard to form full sentences, and my eyelids fought with leaden weight only to lose the battle I was waging on my own body. It was over. Against that poison, I never would have stood a chance.
“I told you. You’re excellent bait. Whoever freed you from the gallows may still be invested in you and come to your rescue.
Only this time, I’ll be prepared. I’ll catch them, find out everything, and then enjoy your demise.
This is truly the only worth you have for me anymore.
Well, except…how much do you love being tortured, Miss Ortha? ”
His smug face tripled in my vision. I was barely conscious anymore when the guard yanked me up and tied my wrists together behind my back.
As I started to dissociate, it became harder and harder to stay in control of myself.
Hot regret pulsed through my mind, and I couldn’t blame anyone but myself for the situation I was in.
The King of Merchants grabbed my satchel and peered inside.
There was nothing I could do to prevent him from pulling out the wooden box, and he whistled as his greedy eyes caught sight of the Dagger of Kalag and the Vessel of Immaru, although I presumed he had no idea what he held in his unworthy, filthy hands.
“You…no idea…what…who…dealing—”
“No, darling, but I will know soon enough.”
“No—”
“Plant the trail,” Perran spoke with authority to his men, and as I was manhandled toward the horses, I succumbed to the narcotic effect of the poison.
At the same time, my last fleeting thoughts conjured up intensely glowing amethyst eyes that burned into mine, and the memory of my villain who once saved my life and whisked me away shattered my soul into a million tiny pieces.