Page 24

Perched on the seat was a striking male, his rich brocade clothing woven with gold. Over his spiked silver hair was an elaborate crown designed to resemble branches. As I took the male’s measure, yet another jolt ran down my spine, but not of fear. Never that. Rather, it seemed a strange thread connected us.

“Wait here,” the guards ordered.

My entourage came to a stop.

On the floor before the dais, there was a large circle etched with ancient runes. A horned demon wearing manacles kneeled in its center.

“Please, sire. If I could have more time. My mate is with child and the crops—”

“Enough of your sniveling,” the king snapped, his voice sharp with disdain. “You know the law, and yet, you broke it. The repercussions are clear.” He held up his hand, golden light illuminating his fingertips.

“Please, sire. I beg you.”

“And I grow weary of the noise.” The king flicked his wrist,and the imprisoned demon let out a yowl, falling to his knees. He clutched his throat, gasping and gurgling.

The bloodthirsty crowd murmured their delight at the display. Golden flames ignited the man’s body, his reedy screams echoing. Except this was no typical fire. In seconds, his writhing form became a tower of glowing embers that soon disintegrated into shimmering sparks.

I stood speechless. It was one of the most effortless demonstrations of power I’d ever seen. Behind the king, the enchanted tree pulsed as though alive. Black veins throbbed along its thick roots. From the canopy, a single withered leaf ignited, tumbling from a branch as it floated to the ground.

“Next,” the king commanded.

Guards prodded our backs, urging us into the middle of the circle.

“Kneel,” the milky-eyed guard demanded.

We hit our knees—all except for Runa.

“Kneel, I say.” At her defiance, he clamped his gloved hand on the back of the sorceress’s neck, forcing her to the ground.

The crack of her kneecaps striking the marble made me wince.

The king’s eyes gleamed with delight. “Ah, the notorious Blood River Bandits. It’s so good of you to join me today.”

“He’s heard of us,” Drazen muttered out of the corner of his mouth.

“Of course he has,” Kronk whispered, his shoulders drawing back.

Fools. At this rate, we’d all be ashes by the time this was over.

Oddly, Runa had fallen silent. Her body was tense, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. The sweet scent of her fragrance turned bitter, tainting the air with fear—like she gazed upon her worst nightmare.

Fear was a scent I typically found appealing. Only for somereason, hers had a low growl pushing its way up my throat. I coughed to cover my loss of control. What did I care if she was afraid? Runa was a known criminal in the king’s throne room. She had every cause to be concerned.

Myself, I was eager for this meeting. This was my chance to improve my situation, align with a powerful king, and find my way back to the mortal world to claim my revenge and everything that was stolen from me.

It was Drazen who spoke first. Figured. The arrogant infernus believed himself to be charming.

“Great King Idris, it’s an honor to kneel before you. If it so pleases, Your Majesty, may I say you look quite royal this evening?”

The king’s unnerving gaze locked on Runa and darkened with an antagonistic gleam. “And what does fair Runa Starborn think of her king’s appearance?”

Static sparked along my spine at the tension between the two. Apparently, the sorceress and the king were acquainted.

Runa’s rigid frame began to quake.

“Easy,” Kronk mumbled in a low tone.

“Answer your king,” the guard demanded, withdrawing his sword from its scabbard.