Page 80 of Horns of Wicked Ebony (Deathcaller Duet #2)

He screamed, pitching forward. If it weren’t for my guard holding him, he would have collapsed to the ground. I didn’t hesitate to deliver another blow, then one after that. Blood welled as I tore up his backside, but satisfaction was still out of reach.

Many females turned away as a garnet puddle formed around us.

Yet the males, with hard set jaws, watched on, knowing they’d be judged for it.

The firelight reflected their rage back to me.

Their defiance. Their malicious intent. Mixed among the fearful were a few brave souls who would receive personal visits from me over the coming days.

Ribs emerged from the flayed meat of Ollmund’s back. The heat from the pyre rose to a new height, searing into my skin. The crackling accompanied my ominous steps as I drew my dagger and rounded the pathetic male.

Tears and snot streamed down his face, and his head hung limply.

I gave him a few slaps to stir him. “You are no male, and for that, you will have your cock and balls removed before I throw you onto the logs. Pray to the Weaver now to bring you back as a female so you aren’t shamed with your utter lack. ”

Eyes wide, he started to plead with me again, but I reached down and yanked what the Weaver had not blessed him with in this life.

A scream ripped from him, and I wasted no time in slicing both away.

Blood spurted from the wound, but I kept hold of the offending organs, intending to use them as proof to my cousins that I was committed to our changes.

What would Kiira think when she received them? Would she realize then the lengths I would go to for her? Would she see me as her protector as she saw Rokath?

That was all I wanted from her now. For her to remember the way we’d laugh late into the night. The softness of her voice, the way she’d prop her feet on my lap while we drank decadent wine. How she’d lean into me as I settled her in my bed to sleep it off.

I wanted to return to the before of her resentment. Before she turned to Rokath for confirmation instead of me. Before she clung to Rapp, let him make her smile and chase away her pain.

She should have looked at me like that.

Damn the consequences the Fates would invoke for disallowing Ollmund to call upon his second favor. This was far more important.

“Burn him,” I commanded my guard.

They dragged his now-limp body away, leaving the pool of his life behind. Without much care, they tossed him onto the pyre. His wife and daughter screamed again, lost to their hysteria. Orith sprinted past me, falling to her knees just out of range of the blaze.

His wife collapsed, and no one moved to help her, which pleased me greatly.

“Find me a box for these,” I told one of the soldiers, lifting Ollmund’s dick and balls. “And a wet towel.”

“Yes, My Kral,” he said, then hurried away.

At the entrance to the ballroom, I kicked off my boots, not wanting to stain my floors with the offender’s blood.

By the time I reached my throne, servants appeared, boxing up the organs and cleaning me off.

Once they finished, I lounged on my throne again.

“Who wants to go first?” I asked casually, like I hadn’t just slaughtered one of their own and forced them to watch.

Several heads of houses hurried forward, dropping to one knee and resting their foreheads on their arms.

Exactly where they should be.

“Repeat after me,” I ordered, pulling a slip of parchment from my pocket. I’d formed the oath carefully to ensure their loyalty was to me, rather than our house as a whole.

“I, the devoted head of my noble house, bow to the burgundy banner of House Vrak.”

A handful of masculine voices echoed my words, slightly muffled by their positions.

“Before the sacred gazes of the Weaver, the Giver, and the Reaper, I kneel in unwavering fealty to the sovereign ruler of the Demon Realm. I sacrifice my blood to bind my magic, my body, my fate to the Kral.”

Each male drew a dagger and cut deep into his palms, giving the stone their offering.

“To House Vrak, I pledge my sword. To the Kral, I pledge my eternal servitude.”

They repeated all my words back to me flawlessly.

“May the thread of your loyalty to me be woven into the tapestry of your life, unbreakable and enduring. May your gifts hold strong when I call upon you. May the Reaper’s eye pass over you that you may follow me into an age of domination on this continent.”

I let the words sink in, giving the crowd a quick scan. Then, I issued my command. “Rise and kiss the signet ring.”

One by one they did, whispering further pledges to me as they touched the sacred gem.

After they settled back in their places, another group rushed forward, and we repeated the process.

No male, female, or child was exempt. The ceremony lasted long into the night, and by the time everyone had finished, many swayed on their feet.

Yet I had one more order for them all. One that I hoped would satisfy Kiira and win her affections back to me.

“All fallen will be paid double for their services, and none will be held against their will any longer. They are free to live their lives as they were before, should they so choose. A missive will be sent across the realm in the morning, along with stories from the High Priestess. Read them all and imprint this new order onto your minds. I will not stand for anything less than utter compliance. Am I clear?”

“Yes, My Kral,” the voices affirmed, many bowing their heads in deference to me.

I didn’t deign to dismiss them as I strode from the room. The door slammed behind me, and my guard fell into step as we wound through the palace, back to my chambers.

The nobles knelt. Bled. Affirmed their allegiance. To me.

And soon…so would Kiira.