Page 83 of Blackheart

I was steaming. Simmering. Close to boiling.

Xavian yanked out the remaining dagger and arrow. Riven fell to the floor, right into his own emesis and blood.

“You best be at training tomorrow morning, since you’ve forgotten it,” Xavian ordered. “Now get the fuck out of my sight.”

Bleeding and unwilling to meet my eye, Riven stood and limped out of the great hall.

Xavian Steele wiped the bloody dagger off with his shirt before strapping it back. My brother faced me at last, taking in my rage.

“He’s fine.” He picked up the bow and tossed it behind his throne.

Avan finally let go. I dropped my bag, crossing the length of the room with my arms stiff at my side until I was standing in front of my brother, Nature swirling inside of me. He crossed his arms.

How dare he torture the only person who’d helped me. How dare Riven let Xavian Steele torment him without putting up a fight.

“You…” I pointed my finger directly in his face. “You are an ungrateful, spoiledbastard,”I spat, getting louder with each word.

He frowned at the hurt in my eyes, in my soul. I had crossed an ocean to meet him, and he spent the first moments likethis.I was disgusted, and he knew. The arrogance was gone from his face, and when he looked as if he may try to speak, I narrowed my eyes, letting him know just how small he was to me.

I gave him one last look of disgust before crossing the room, yanking my bag off the ground and shoving the deed in Avan’s freckled hands.

Running down the hallways, I followed the fresh crimson trail, easily catching up to Riven. He walked well for his injuries, and held pressure to his profusely bleeding shoulder.

“Why didn’t you fight back?”

He refused to look at me. “Because I deserved it.”

He deserved gold and land for bringing me here—for delivering the deed. He deserved gratitude and praise, not assault upon arrival.

“For what?” I stabbed, voice sharp as knives.

He turned the corner, picking up his pace. “I vowed an oath to pay for any injury you endure. I meant it. He has given me my honor back, because without feeling your pain, I would havenone.”

His honor? He’d already abandoned Drakington. To hell with his honor.

“You’re a Rogue Draker, why would you seek honor here?”

He slowed, stepping through a dark wooden door. The same one from my dream. It was so bizarre, having never been to Castivian in my life.

Inside, medicines filled the shelves and several cots were available. The same two healers were there. After a quick look at Riven, they smiled and directed him to a bed.

“Ah shit, Riven, I didn’t know you’d be back today!” one of them exclaimed. He wore a black uniform as well, but without weapons.

Back? They knew the Draker by name?

Riven hopped onto a cot, staining the white blankets red.

The other healer laughed, grabbing a pair of shears. “Friend, you’ve been gone for a while. I see you stopped to say hello to Xavian.”

Neither of the men acknowledged me as they cut off clothes and tended to his injuries. Theyknewhim.

“I think he missed me,” Riven replied jokingly in a Castivi accent, turning his shoulder in to look at the stab wound.

One healer glanced up at me, blond hair falling in front of his eyes. “Are you hurt too?”

“No.” Not physically.

They went back to pretending I didn’t exist, just like Riven had been pretending to be Drakish this entire time.