Page 145 of Dance of Kings and Thieves

Niall grinned. I expected the back of his hand over my cheek, not a smile. In truth, I welcomed any bruises, any gashes he brought. Kase would see to it each one was avenged, and I did love watching my husband make his enemies pay.

“I’m not a fool,dänniskStrom. I do not share the same power lust as my father or my mother. I know what this ring did to Ivar. He died a slow, painful death. I believe its power heightened only after you stepped into the presence of this.” His gaze schooled on the ring.

“Strange, but it sounds like you believe I am fated to wear that ring.”

“I do.” Niall tilted his head; the curve of his mouth was made up of arrogance and cruelty. “But, even still, I will be king.”

“Good for you. I disagree, of course, but you may try.”

Niall rose from his seat, stopping only two paces in front of me. “I won’t kill you, Malin. I’ll let you live a good life, one of position and power.” He paused and touched a finger to the edge of my jaw. “One with love.”

His breaths were burdened, as if he’d run across the throne room twice. Likely the cause of Dagny’s elixirs staining his lungs.

“I am here to claim my birthright,” I said, hiding how little I cared for a title. “Not stand in the shadows as you take it.”

“Think of it, though. Think of what peace we could bring. Together. Blood of both royal bloodlines would once more lead this kingdom.”

“Then I will ask your brother to serve as my royal counselor.”

Niall’s face hardened. “You say you are destined to wear this ring, and there is no denying the ring wakes for you. You will not wither, but my bloodline has always been told it is destined to have a place here. Why not avoid bloodshed and fulfill both prophecies?”

“I will never stand with you.” I took a bold step closer, my chest butting his. “You are spineless. Selling off your own folk. Abusing, raping, terrorizing those weaker than you. Tell me, your bride is so young. Will you chain her to your bed if she refuses you? Will you take what you want because of your power?”

Niall took each lashing word in stride. He hardly seemed bothered.

I huffed and looked away. “Take the ring. Wither away. I’d like to return to my cell now.”

“You will have a say in this kingdom,” Niall said. “Stand with me, let our folk believe the ring chose me, and I swear to you, you will have an equal say in the good, the terrible, and the justice in the East.”

“You must think I am a fool to believe a word you say.”

Niall laughed softly, but with a rough hand he gripped my arm, yanking my body against his. “Here is the last offer. If you do not want an equal footing in this kingdom, fine. But if you want your lover to live, if you don’t want a young kingdom to tragically lose its king, or your brother once again returned to the sea prisons, then you will do as I ask.” Niall dug his fingernails deeper into my flesh and lowered his voice. “I’d like to show you something.”

Niall led me to an open window in the back of the room. He handed me a spyglass. “Look through it, to the hills over the river.

He pointed to a distant place over the gates. With a bit of hesitation, I lifted the spyglass to my eye. The moment the glass focused, a rough gasp escaped my throat.

“No! Kase, no!”

On the edge of the hill, half-hidden in the tall grass, Kase, Ash, and Hanna looked to be arranging some sort of trap. With them were Valen and Hagen.

What they did not see were the approaching Southern warriors. Blood fae, forest fae, they were closing in from every side.

“Leave him! Call them off.” I dropped the spyglass as a tear squeezed from the corner of my eye. “Call them off.”

“What is your choice?”

I blinked back and forth from the ring to the slaughter awaiting my family on the hillside. Heart racing, I hung my head. “I will never let anyone doubt the ring has always belonged to you. Let me stand near it as you wear it, and it will glow as if it were made for you.”

“I cannot wear it.”

“It only requires a moment. A show of proof. It won’t wither you unless you wear it often.”

Niall nodded his head slowly. He went to the window and flashed a mirror. The sun flickered over the glass surface. A signal. He was calling off the guards.

I let out a ragged breath.

“Keep your word.” Niall turned and gripped my chin. “Do as I ask, and I let them live. Turn against me, they die. Now, go get dressed.”