Page 40 of A Dagger in the Ivy (Blade Bound #1)

C Hapter

I can only stare in disbelief. This is not the Torbin we witnessed in the fighting pit. He is calm and collected, so nonchalant, reminding me of the boy I used to know. His clothes are crisp and clean, as are his skin and hair, and his composure now tells me that the king has no idea what he’s been doing.

Torbin plays his part well, I have to admit. There’s no hint of the malice he exuded in the pit. “I’ve been so worried. Thank the gods you’ve returned.”

My muscles tense as he strides toward me, his shoulders broad, his head tilted slightly, as if he’s genuinely concerned.

When he reaches for my shoulders, my hand grips the hilt of my dagger, but before I can unsheathe it, Dante steps between us.

“Don’t. You. Fucking. Dare.” Dante holds his gaze.

They are eye to eye, and for an almost indistinguishable moment, Torbin’s facade falters. But he regains his faux expression instantaneously.

“Brother.” Torbin smiles at Dante and slaps his shoulder—hard.

I can only hope I’ve healed Dante enough that the impact of Torbin’s hit hasn’t ripped his wound wide open.

“Seems we have some catching up to do.” Torbin’s cocky smirk sends shivers of fear through me.

“Yes.” Dante’s jaw is rigid. “There’s much to tell.”

“That’s true. In fact, I was just informing Father of the latest news. Isn’t that right, Father?” Torbin shifts to turn to the king, his hand resting on the hilt of his sabre.

“Yes. And I have to say, it’s all rather disturbing.” The king lets out a long breath, his glare directed at me.

Wait.

What the fuck is happening?

“Simply scandalous,” Torbin says. He clasps his wrist behind his back and begins to pace. “But for the sake of our kingdoms and the deal we made, I’m willing to forgive you, Celeste. I’m an honorable man and will keep my promise to take you as my bride.”

“Forgive me ? What are you talking about? You’re the one who’s been deceitful. You’re a monster.” I tear my glare from him and face the king. “Your Majesty, your son has been keeping secrets from you. He’s working with the Shadow Tsar.”

I wait for the king to react to the news, but his face remains stoic. Dante and I exchange a look, unsure of why the king doesn’t seem to care.

“I expected as much.” King Silas stands, straightening his robes. “Torbin told me you would invent incredulous accusations to throw the focus off of your indiscretions.”

I blanch. “My…? What? No. It’s him. He’s a traitor. Your own son.”

The king lets out a humorless chuckle. “My son, indeed. But not Prince Torbin, rather my bastard.”

Dante’s eyes bulge, his forehead creasing. “Father?”

The king raises a dismissive hand. “I don’t entirely blame you, Dante. I understand firsthand how certain women can seduce men, manipulate them.”

“‘Seduce’?” I scoff. “I’ve done no such thing.”

“So you deny that you two shared a bed?” The king raises a brow, waiting for me to answer .

My eyes widen, and my jaw has gone slack. I turn my head, my focus landing on Osrem, Torbin’s advisor. The man stands as straight as an arrow, the subtle look of victory on his face.

Fucking. Cunt.

I don’t even have my wits about me enough to figure out how he escaped the wolves.

I pivot my head back toward the king. “Nothing happened. It was innocent.”

The king guffaws. “Nothing innocent ever happens beneath the sheets, especially when you’re half-naked, which I understand you both were.”

I’m so stunned, I can’t speak.

“Father, she speaks the truth.” Dante steps forward, his glare darting to Torbin for a second. “Nothing happened.”

“Oh, dear Brother.” Torbin clicks his tongue. “She’s still got you under her spell.”

Dante grinds his teeth. “Father, Princess Celeste’s accusations about Torbin are true. He’s commanding an army of carnoraxis for the tsar. He… He took us hostage and stabbed me.”

Torbin scoffs. “ Stabbed you? You stand before us, clearly free of any alleged abduction, looking perfectly healthy.”

“I can prove it.” Dante unbuttons his shirt and exposes his chest.

The king and Torbin watch as Dante peels the bandage from his abdomen. The bandage crumples to the floor, and my face falls.

Fuck.

There’s nothing but a scar marking the skin near his heart. My healing magic worked faster than I anticipated.

Torbin steps closer. “That appears to be an old wound, Brother.”

The king purses his lips in disapproval.

“I healed him,” I protest, unable to keep the desperation out of my voice. “Torbin stabbed him with my dagger, but my magic healed him.”

“Your magic.” Torbin looks from me to the king. “You see, Father? That’s the key element here. She’s using her magic to make Dante believe her lies. Her fae powers are clearly a dangerous weapon. ”

My mind is spinning so fast, I fear I may collapse. I feel like I’m stuck in a nightmare, but this time, it’s one I can’t wake up from.

“This has nothing to do with Celeste!” Dante shouts. “Torbin is consorting with the enemy. He is betraying the kingdoms of Hedera and Delasurvia. He plans to usurp you, just as the Shadow Tsar has done to Dulcamar’s previous ruler.”

“Enough,” the king finally declares, his voice strained with emotion. “I will not entertain baseless accusations any longer. Your loyalty has been pledged to our kingdom. You gave your word to take part in this union. Anything less makes you a traitor, and the fate of Delasurvia will end badly.”

My heart sinks at his words, and my fists clench at my sides. He has the power to completely cut off ties between Mersos and my land. I need to weigh my words and my actions carefully. One false move, and the hope of feeding my people will die.

Torbin’s smirk only deepens, a smug satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “It seems our esteemed king has seen through your charade, Celeste. I think this is a lesson you might want to remember for when you become queen, lest you remember who holds the true power.”

“You can’t be serious.” Dante faces his father, the veins in his necks bulging. “Father, there are clearly issues that need to be addressed. I have to insist that the engagement be called off.”

“Enough of this nonsense,” he declares, his tone final. “There will be no postponement of the wedding. Delasurvia’s alliance with Hedera is of the utmost importance, and we will not jeopardize it over unfounded allegations.” The king’s glare burns through me. “Do we have an understanding, Princess?”

I feel the weight of his words like a physical blow, the crushing realization that Dante and I are powerless to stop what is to come.

“Do not forget your place, Celeste,” the king admonishes, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. “You’ve already betrayed my trust once by leaving the castle when I instructed you to stay. It would be wise not to test my patience again. As it happens, I’ve just received word that Mersos has agreed to include Delasurvia in its trade route. There are shipments of food and goods being delivered to your people as we speak. But that all ends on my command if you breach our contract. One more false move on your part, and I will have no choice but to take Delasurvia for my own. You would do well to remember that.”

His words loom like a shadow over the room as the gravity of his threat settles upon us. My stomach sours, and it takes every ounce of willpower I have not to vomit all over the floor. I exchange a glance with Dante, a silent acknowledgment of the perilous situation in which we find ourselves.

“And you,” the king continues, this time addressing Dante, “do not forget the generosity I’ve extended to you by pardoning your foolhardy impulsiveness, by allowing you to live here and be a part of my family. You may have my blood, but that does not exempt you from facing the consequences of disrespecting your king.”

Dante and the king lock gazes. The room is filled with a stunned silence, and the rage that bubbles beneath the surface is almost palpable.

With a final, contemptuous glance at Torbin, Dante turns on his heel and storms out of the room.