Page 56

“I don’t like this, High General,” Virgil whispers as we descend the stairwell toward the outer courtyards of the palace.

I took the flank of the group today, while Laisren leads from the front.

Virgil and Riordan are on either side of Maeva, as always.

The king requested an audience with Maeva in one of the overgrown, dying courtyards.

I won’t deny that I’ve been a little on edge since receiving the command.

After I spent my evening with Maeva, I’m leery of bringing her to him, let alone allowing her to speak with him privately… again .

The very thought of him touching her has my insides boiling.

I’ve tried thinking of a sly enough excuse for me to request to stay with her for this interaction without drawing too much suspicion, so far to no avail.

If I request to stay because I gave my oath to protect her as he commanded me to do, he’ll question if I believe she’s in danger with him.

If I say that I worry about the queen lashing out at her again, he’ll question why I would care what happens to his prize.

No matter what I request or do, it’ll only further jeopardize Maeva’s safety.

It’ll also alter who he places in charge of her security.

If it isn’t my cadre… I refuse to think about what kind of creature he’d pair with her next.

Knowing him, it’d be Domhnall, and that urchin is the last creature in this realm I want near Maeva in any capacity.

“Our king gave us the order to bring her to this location. So who are we to question him?” I reply just loudly enough in case there are listening ears.

Knowing Domhnall, he’s lurking somewhere amongst the shadows, just waiting to hear or see something of value to report.

Maeva doesn’t look back in my direction as we stroll across the walkways.

Instead, she looks over the deceased shrubs, bushes, and plants that once flowered before the curse.

Suddenly, several small white and black spirit orbs surprise us, swirling rapidly around Maeva as she swats them away.

I stifle a laugh because her motions make her look like she’s partaking in some sort of ritualistic dance with the spirits.

Her movements only encourage them further in their curiosity as they float through her hair and circle her arms.

They are in a tizzy today, compared to their average behaviors.

However, I’m sure they’re just captivated by the beautiful woman in front of me, just as we all are.

One even howls in her ear, causing her to jump.

Riordan, apparently done with their antics, snarls at the spirits, and their orbs disappear one by one.

“Thanks for the assistance, High General,” she snipes at me.

Within my helmet, I broadly smile to the point that my cheeks hurt from the effort. However, my voice sounds as cold as ice when I speak. “I’m sure that you had it under control, Rosey,” I reply. “Perhaps you should spend time with them more often if they terrify you so much.”

She scowls at me from over her shoulder, and it takes everything in me not to tease her further.

Provoking her anger riles something within me that desires to see that fury come out to play.

Perhaps it’s her furrowed brows or the way her full bottom lip pokes out further.

Perhaps it’s the adrenaline coursing through me when I see the daggers that she’s mentally ready to fling at me.

Either way, I’ve always enjoyed this side of her.

“We’re here, Maeva,” Laisren murmurs.

The pit of my stomach drops into the depths of my being.

The courtyard the king chose is the same one that we used to meet King Elias and Queen Riona in for tea whenever my mother was alive…

before my father changed. Elias had been a jovial man with a boisterous laugh.

He was tall, strong, and incredibly gifted.

He treasured his family and his kingdom, always putting their needs before his own.

Riona was as beautiful and graceful as my mother had been.

She was adventurous and daring, while also being poised and soft-spoken.

She was the daughter of a well-known duke within the courts of Zulgalros.

Two centuries ago, when King Elias attended one of the many balls Tiernan hosted, the Malvorian king fell in love with Riona’s beautiful mind and made her his queen.

They used to joke about it because it is in the same manner that my father met my mother.

Tiernan was one of his closest friends before the invasion and before the depravity twisted his mind.

I believe that was Elias’ only pitfall, loving my bloody, twisted family as his own… even to the end.

The thought of their deaths churns in my stomach as I glance at the graveyard of what used to be a beautiful oasis to visit.

Why, of all the bloody places, does Tiernan wish to speak to Maeva here?

The sentries halt us at the entrance, despite Laisren demanding that they move aside. I shoulder past Riordan and Maeva, brushing my hand against hers for the briefest of moments. “Let us through,” I command. “She has an audience with His Majesty.”

The sentry to the right blanches, but continues to shake his head. “I-I’m s-sorry, High General,” he mutters. “W-We were given o-orders to only a-allow the woman through.”

“Who’s order?” I ask, my tone promising death .

“Mine,” King Tiernan replies from behind the sentries. They quickly part to reveal him standing in the entry, smiling like a bloody predator at my Rosey. He extends a hand toward her. “Come, my darling,” he coos.

Maeva walks toward him indifferently, but I step in front of her, shielding her so that he has to look at me. His eyes glisten with rage. “High General?” he sneers.

“I was under the impression that I’d stay with her at all times, per your orders, my king,” I reply monotonically.

Tiernan snarls, curling his lips back to truly show the monster that he is.

His eyes and ring flare to life as the tug in my chest deepens, responding to its master’s call.

“You’ll do no such thing, Emeryus,” he replies in a whisper.

“I’ve warded this courtyard so you don’t pry into our conversation, as this matter doesn’t concern you. Now obey .”

My veins pop in my neck as I try to resist the command, internally screaming for my shadows to take Maeva away from here, but even they don’t obey me.

Tiernan plasters that devious smile on his face, moving around me and grabbing Maeva’s wrist. He tugs her quickly to the archway, disappearing within.

She gives us one final glance before she’s also hidden behind the enchantment. To passersby, you’d believe that no one is within the courtyard. Yet, I know she’s there, and I won’t stop trying to fight this hold until I see her safe once more.

The twit did this on purpose.

Why bring Maeva to the very place that makes me want to vomit?

Why not just speak with her in the throne room?

It is already warded, and they spoke there previously… unless…

This isn’t for Maeva’s torment.

My heart seizes in my chest.

No, the idea seems preposterous, but is it truly?

Or is it that I fear what he might reveal to her?

Perhaps this is punishment for how I “threatened” him at the masquerade .

This is his way of reminding me of what I truly am to him:

Not his son.

Not the prince.

I’m his weapon.

He truly is proficient.

After all, what better way to torment your wraith than by reminding him of the first time he ever killed.