Chapter 22 #4
Taking my direction, she held out her finger getting it closer to Munch, until she gently touched his head.
“Sassa, don’t touch it!” Meya yelped, darting Munch back into my hand. “That thing is dirty. Probably full of infections. It needs to be put outside.”
“You will do no such thing.” I glared up at her, my chin rising. “He’s mine and you will not touch him.”
“This is not your castle. You do not rule here.” Meya reminded me so much of the woman who brought me to my chambers, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they were related. Most thrall positions were passed on through families.
“I will be your queen, soon.” I tucked Munch closer to me, using my future status to intimidate. “You can all go.”
“What?” Meya’s back went straight.
“I can dress myself.”
“But—”
“You are dismissed.”
Meya’s expression darkened, but she dipped her head, swiping up the dirty clothes and stomping out of the room, the rest following behind. It probably wasn’t wise to upset her, but I was done with people, the need to be alone dictating everything.
I heard the door slam, the click of the lock barricading me inside like the prisoner I was.
“Just you and me, now.” I rubbed the top of Munch’s head before rising. I quickly dressed and padded to the bedroom, the fire crackling loudly in the hearth. A tray of food sat on the table and I snatched up a roll, strolling to the window where the moon glinted through the stained glass.
I felt so alone and scared, terrified of what tomorrow would bring, and my fate here.
Cracking the window, I set Munch down beside me in the window seat, taking in deep breaths of night air, the stars twinkling down.
As much as I missed the sun, I couldn’t deny the beauty of the darkness.
Commotion from below drew my attention to a group standing around a fire barrel, laughing and chatting, their drinks high in the air.
“To Raelis! Someday we will see you again, brother.” I could pick out Bj?rn’s booming voice.
I knew that where Bj?rn was, the others were probably too.
“May you fly free with Huginn and Muninn, keeping the skies protected till we join you. You are missed, bróeir. Hail to the brave warrior, the Night Hunter warrior, Raelis!”
“Sk?l!” The cheers rose up in one voice, skittering goosebumps over my flesh.
“And to getting this asshole home! Now let’s get him laid!” Bj?rn bellowed louder in a roaring cheer.
“Sk?l!”
As if a force divided the gathering, plucking him out of the crowd for me, my gaze landed on Onyx.
Chugging a flask, he stood there shirtless, his trousers hanging low off his hips, the fire flickering off the fresh wounds marring his torso, the streaks of blood dried on his skin.
Women crowded around him, laughing and pawing at him, trying to be the one he chose to bed.
It proved everything Kara had said to be true about the women lining up for him.
My hand went to my throat, absently rubbing at the tattoo. A very uncomfortable sensation roiled my stomach, my shoulders prickling as one woman slid her hand down his abs, running straight down his V-line.
My teeth gritted, my thumb pressing down on the healing ink like I wanted to physically feel pain.
Onyx seized her hand like he was going to move it off him, but he stopped, his head snapping up to my window like he could sense me. A breath caught in my throat, and I ducked deeper into the curtain. I couldn’t see his eyes, but I felt them on me, burning and scorching.
He knew I was there. Watching him.
Tingles skated over my skin, my throat aflame where I touched my chest, hardening my nipples.
“I would eat you alive, kanin. You have no idea what I am capable of, how dark I can get. I’d tear you apart, use your blood as a lubricant while I devour your heart without a thought.”
I saw his mouth quirk up, his hand still holding the woman’s, pressing her fingers back into his body, slowly lowering it down, his focus burning into me.
She eagerly gripped him, rubbing him up and down over his trousers in front of everyone.
He bit down on his lip, tipping his head back in pleasure, his attention on me, like he wanted me to see . . . to watch him with someone else.
“You want to ride my dick, kanin. I’ll gladly oblige, but you are nothing more than a thrall. One pleasing her master.”
Anger cracked over my chest, my shoulders rising. I was not someone to degrade or humiliate. I stood to the world as the White Raven. People bowed at my feet.
“Fuck you,” I whispered, slamming my window, slumping down on the window seat. Picking up Munch, I cuddled him to me, curling up in a ball.
Though he was no longer in my view, it seemed like I could still feel him, tangible and powerful as though he was in the room with me, haunting, his presence sliding over me, making me feel restless and achy.
“I can’t wait until I’m free of you. Where I don’t fucking feel you anymore.”
I looked forward to it, the end of whatever strange thing I was feeling toward him. He was no different than the king.
They may try to control and own the White Raven.
However, they would never have me.