Page 11

Oleander

T he kitchen doors open and Lilac paces in, followed by a worried looking Lu, wringing her hands. “Captain, please, this must be a mistake.”

Cook looks up and takes in Lilac’s face. She straightens. “What’s going on Lilac?”

Lilac crosses to me, grabbing my upper arm. “We need to talk to our guest here,” she says quietly.

“Nonsense,” Cook starts, but Lilac’s cold glare stops her.

“What? What is wrong?” I ask, aiming for guileless, but my heart is pounding.

“Come,” she simply says.

LILAC DRAGS ME OUT of the kitchen, my feet heavy with fear, and down a flight of stairs. Back to that cursed gaol. I struggle to control my magic so I don’t harm anyone. Being in danger makes it harder to control, to not lash out.

Lilac pushes me hard, back into the same cell, and I lose my balance, tripping and landing hard on the ground, my face hitting the floor. I sit up and glare as the barred door is swung shut, but she simply turns on her heel and leaves.

IT’S HOURS BEFORE THE door to the gaol opens again. It’s Lonan. I stand, wrapping my hands around the bars. He crosses to me, his hands rising as if they’re going to close over mine, but he freezes. I felt... feel , as if he’s here to save me. What is wrong with me? Did I hit my head harder than I thought? I know by now the only person to save me is myself. I break my gaze from him.

My stomach hits the floor. Behind Commander Lonan is General Kai and next to Kai is that Ordained, who also happens to be a soothsayer. Oh fuck.

“Lonan,” I whisper, letting my voice shake–which is easy, “What... why... why did you do this?” I gaze up at him, eyes wide.

He stands still though his body sways towards me just a tiny bit. “I’m sorry sweetheart,” he whispers, “It must be done.” His eyes harden a moment and he turns. “Take her out,” he commands.

Kai unlocks the door and his hand wraps around my upper arm. He tugs me out of the cell as I stumble. His touch is hot through the fabric of my dress and I eye him even as I try to catch myself. I yank my arm out of his hold though he’s trying to steady me.

The black eyed, limp-haired soothsayer steps forward. My stomach turns as I look away from their black robes that are so familiar. I loathe the Monkswick family. And this one is particularly creepy.

I look to Lonan. He’s my only way out of this. “Please, Sire, why... why are you doing this to me?”

Kai steps between us, glaring at me. “Enough. We have some questions for you. Be glad that we have a soothsayer in residence and we don’t need to use more... intense... questioning methods.”

My face hardens and my mouth gets away from me. “It would take more than you to break me.”

Lonan blinks, surprise obvious on his face. Fuck .

Kai grabs my upper arm again, turning me back to look at the soothsayer. I glare at them, and toss Kai a glare too for good measure.

Kai looks to Lonan, but Lonan’s eyes are locked on mine. Kai grunts in frustration.

“Ask her if she’s ever worked at RedWater,” he directs, when Lonan stands silent.

The soothsayer looks at me and I feel the ripple of magic over me. “Have you ever worked at RedWater?” Their voice is high pitched.

“RedWater was my home for many years,” I answer.

“Truth,” they say quietly.

“Is she here to attempt to disrupt the rebellion?”

The soothsayer repeats the question.

“No,” I answer honestly.

“Truth.”

Kai’s hand tightens on my arm. “What is your name?”

As they repeat the question, I let some of my magic loose, hoping it might interfere. But not enough to harm Kai over my dress.

“Allie Landsend.”

The soothsayer pauses, blinks hard, eyes narrowing.

“Lie.”

The air is still for a crystalline moment; both Kai and Lonan start speaking. My head is ringing and I find myself thrown up against the bars of the cell. I blink, pulling my magic back before I can hurt someone. I pinch my eyes shut, my body singing peculiarly.

Kai is holding me tightly but he drops one hand and when it rises, the flat of a blade is held before my face. I glare up at him. He’s taller than Lonan and his strong arms dwarf mine. His deep green eyes are angry. I see something else flicker there before it’s gone. I ignore his dagger, eyes locked on his.

“You do not scare me,” I say coldly.

Lonan steps next to us. “What is your name?”

I continue glaring at Kai silently.

“What is your name?”

Kai repeats it, “What is your name?” He shakes me, something dangerous in his gaze.

When I stand silent, he tilts the edge of the knife, touching the soft flesh under my eye. I look to Lonan, who stands, appearing terrified.

What the... But my mind cannot catch up.

Kai presses the tip of the blade to my skin and I glower at him, refusing to cower. My heartbeat is loud in my head, but I’ve endured worse than a cut. I just wish it wasn’t on my face.

The tip parts my skin slickly and I close my eyes, accepting. It’s easier that way.

I feel the blade pull away from my flesh a moment before I hear Lonan. “Stop!”

My eyes snap open. Both Kai and Lonan’s faces hold worry.

I simply glare.

“Tell me, sweetheart,” Lonan whispers, his hand rising and his thumb brushing away the drop of blood, even as Kai still holds me pinned to the cell. “You must tell me the truth,” Lonan urges and I feel the most insane desire to tell him.

“Excuse me, Commander. I may, perhaps, be of service,” the black haired soothsayer interrupts.

My eyes lock on Lonan.

Lonan speaks, an exasperated edge to his voice, “What could you possibly do to help this situation, Achlys?”

“Mmm, well,” their beady eyes take me in and I watch, slightly horrified, as their bright red tongue licks their thin lips. “Well... the royal and landed bloodlines of Faery all have...distinct tastes.”

I recoil, not totally sure which of my fluids they are speaking of, but knowing I want none of them in their mouth.

Kai damn near growls, “And how the fuck would you know that?”

An evil smile curves their lips. “Some secrets are better left alone, General.”

“What would you need to do to her?” Lonan asks in a quiet voice.

My eyes flick to him, both alarmed and revolted. He’s not really considering this?

The soothsayer steps closer. “She already has a wound.” They nod towards my cheek where Kai has just bled me. “It’s not bleeding freely, but a few licks would change that.”

I feel Kai’s muscles tense but Lonan nods. “Do it. Hold her, Kai.”

I go rigid, horrified, but when the soothsayer’s hands raise to take my face, I start to fight. “Let go of me!” I push them away from me.

Achlys backs off as Kai battles with me. He steps in front of me, his frame huge. But my hand raises and I slap Kai across the face, hard .

Hard enough to cause his head to turn, his wild curls tossed into his face. I freeze as fear dances along me, but, instead of causing me to have some damned sense of self-preservation, it dives directly into my panties. What the fuck.

Kai’s face slowly turns back to me, a wide, pleased grin on his face.

Oh, fuck, I’ve gone and done it now.

Faster than I can track, he’s scooped me up, turned me and plopped my feet back to the floor as he pins my arms behind my back.

His head dips forward and his lips graze against my ear. I struggle not to shudder. But when I feel the press of his—frankly, huge—dick against my back, anger takes the place of the heat. I tug hard on arms but his grip is like stone.

Kai whispers, “If you bite the Ordained, I’ll be in charge of your punishment.” Louder, her commands, “Taste her.”

At those words my eyes inexplicably flutter over to Lonan. His gaze is hooded as he takes in Kai holding me, pressed to my back.

Two chilly hands are placed on my face and I snap my eyes forward to glare at this soothsayer. Their necklace, a mark of their abilities, shines as if from within.

The soothsayer is tall and slender and must bend down. I close my eyes instinctively, despite my desire to glare daggers the entire time. The soothsayer’s lukewarm tongue is moist and raspy, like a cat’s. It worries at the tiny knick Kai left high on my cheek. After a moment, they make a noise of approval and run the length of their tongue along the wound. My eyes flick open as they lean back and pull their blood-coated tongue into their mouth, where I can see them roll it around as if tasting a fine wine.

I glare at Lonan as soon as he’s within my view again and rage boils inside me. I struggle with my magic again. My anger is affecting it.

The Ordained makes a noise of shock, their solid black eyes studying my face.

“Well?” Lonan prompts.

The soothsayer’s mouth opens and I feel as though I’m leaving my body as he voices my secret.

“She’s a Stonesthrow.”