17. Chapter Seventeen #2
Aldric squawks four times. “Are you alright?”
I rapidly blink and clench my eyes on the last one. Everything comes into focus as the lantern stops rolling and lights up rocky grey walls. I crawl over to it and get myself to my feet, bracing myself on the wall and wheezing.
My breathing stabilizes, and I’m able to move forward. “I’m fine,” I finally gasp out.
Aldric stays on my shoulder and studies me. “You sound unwell.”
“It’s only an indication that I’m on the right track.” The walls become narrower, and I slide through sideways.
A green door appears ahead and is unlocked, but it’s so small I have to duck to enter the room that appears to be a forge with anvils and long tables that hold blacksmith tools.
There’s a stone furnace against the wall, but I head straight for the metal wardrobe and open the fourth drawer from the bottom.
A simple looking silver dagger is exactly what I need.
There’s a purple gemstone at the top of the handle, and it’s the only notable thing on the weapon no one would pick as special.
Finally, my quest moves forward, and I push aside annoyances at my failures to celebrate one small victory. I wrap it in the clothes I brought and stuff it into the inner compartment of my bag next to the wormwood and green dust.
It doesn’t seem likely that we can climb the slope to get back, so I chance the castle.
Aldric and Morvin stay hidden in their spots, and I smile at every servant I pass to divert their attention from my pocket and hood.
Anxiety blooms in my stomach at the thought of Zyon stealing my bag again, and I decide to hide it in the back room of the apothecary building.
The extra room with the jars and stones is the best bet, and I bury it at the bottom of the large blue dust bin.
My arm sparkles when I pull it out, and I rush over to the sink to thoroughly scrub it off.
I leave the two animals with a thank you, and the job of getting me should anyone try to disturb the other room.
Aldric bows. “We will be brave and true.”
“I have no doubt.” The clouds have grown to an almost black, and I sprint across the yard, squeezing between bushes.
The ice sculptures halt me for a moment to appreciate the skill Zyon has to create such beautiful statues. There’s a pain in knowing they will ultimately melt, especially the gorgeous dragon that towers nearly as high as the treetops.
Maximo is at the large entrance, and I barrel past him in fear of still having blue dust on me somewhere.
Pixie dust likes to latch on and stay a while.
The first thing I do is strip down and wash my clothes off in the sink before showering myself.
Then I give myself a break for accomplishing something and climb into bed for a nap.
The storm whips around my window, and there’s little visibility with the black clouds taking over the sky.
I watch the snow fly and drift to sleep.
I jump at the loud thuds on my door, and a deeper darkness than earlier makes it seem night has fallen. The thuds keep coming, and I rush to the door.
A cow guard stands on the other side and bows. “My lady, His Majesty, King Zyon, has requested your presence in the throne room.”
I want to refuse, not wanting another distraction or to see him after our disaster of a dinner. The soldier looks ready to stop the door when I inch it closed.
“Please. He says you are needed immediately.”
I surrender and follow him only because I worry he might suffer punishment if he returns to the king without me.
I’m still annoyed Zyon called me an option, but it lessens when I realize it’s dumb to think he’d see me as anything but something to use.
Of course, he sees me as someone to have sex with when everyone else close is frozen in time or too far to get to with the snow.
He’s simply a man with needs, and I’m the only available woman.
The thoughts that zip through my mind on my way to the throne room leave me embarrassed I spoke with him about romance.
Zyon sits sideways on his throne until he sees me and straightens himself.
“I’ve brought you some presents. That’s why I missed our breakfast.” He extends his hand to the three wolf skull people in front of him.
They are all dressed in tattered brown pants and shirts.
Their bone human hands are tied with a red rope behind their backs, and they keep their heads bowed.
The middle one shakes so violently that his bones rattle.
I crinkle my entire face. “Presents? You’ve assigned enough servants to me.”
Zyon stands up and snaps his fingers. “I believe you men owe her an apology.” He kicks the middle one, so he falls onto his back at my feet. “Starting with you.”
“Neera! I’m so sorry, Neera!” Ruax sobs my name. “I regret all my actions and beg for your mercy and forgiveness! Please!”
My mouth stays open for what might be several minutes until I’m able to gain enough composure to turn my attention to the psychotic king. “What have you done?”
“As I said, brought you presents.”
I repeat myself. “What have you done, Zyon?”
“Made this worm sorry he took what was yours.”
“And the other two?”
“They threw rocks at you.”
“You turned them into skeletal wolves for throwing rocks at me?”
“Yes, I thought to simply slaughter them, but chose to show them a small bit of kindness since that’s what you’d probably prefer.”
“I’d prefer you’d left them alone!”
“No one gets to touch what’s mine without consequence.” He kicks Ruax when he whimpers.
“Who told you I was yours, moron?”
I turn and march out of the room, ignoring the king when he commands my return. I make it all the way out of the room before he grabs my wrist and pushes me against the wall.
He places a hand on my hip, yanking me closer to him, and traps me in with the other by placing his palm on the wall.
“Your attitude is confusing. I gave you the grandest romantic gesture I could think of, and you’re angry about it?
I laid your enemies at your feet for thinking they had the right to do anything to you.
Justice is served to you, bound and broken. ”
“You turned my rival and his friends into skeletal animals! That’s not romantic!”
He blinks and tightens his jaw. “How are you not swooning at this?”
“Because it disturbs me, and I’m just an option, remember? You turned humans into living skeletons just to get me to bed with you. You haven’t even kissed me. Maybe that would have been the place to start, romance wise. You don’t just jump from not kissing to murder to win a woman over!”
He smashes his lips into mine. I go to push him away, but the way he moves against me leaves my desire helpless.
After a second of debate, I fight back by pushing my tongue into his mouth.
He slides his in, battling me for dominance.
While I sink against him, he presses into me, so I can feel his hard length against me.
He has me so firmly against the wall that I can’t move, but I battle with the kiss, moving my lips until he groans, which loosens his hold and gives me room to wiggle free.
His fingers scrape my wrist, but I’m too quick.