The tip of his digger rips through the material of my suit, hitting my flesh and I grind my teeth. It's not deep, he has just punctured the surface. I feel my warm blood trickle down my back, but I don’t say a damn word. My jaw clenches as the dagger goes in a little deeper.
“I don’t like liars… I take their tongues.” His breath beats against my neck, his threat burning into my skin, and then he abruptly yanks out the dagger. I can hear him wiping the blade against his pants, scrapping the material of his suit before attaching it back into its holder.
I suck in a sharp breath, shutting my eyes in pain. It's a wound that won’t kill me, but the uncomfortable truth is, if he did something like this here in the tunnels… what else is he capable of?
“See you in there, Serene.” He pushes past me as we both enter the dormitory. My jaw tightens as I nervously scan the open room, searching frantically for Theon and Kaine.
But there are so many men scattered everywhere. Most are already kicking off their dusty boots. Some are tugging and ripping their shirts off as if they've been yearning for this moment for days and have finally been granted the freedom to do so. As I scan the crowd of half-naked men, my stomach tightens into a knot when my eyes land on Koen standing in the shadows of the back. He leans casually against the cold, gray wall, his arms folded across his broad chest, his gaze fixed solely on me. His eyes are piercing through the dimly-lit room.
He nods his head for me to come. I fiercely walk his way, grabbing a dagger that lies on a bed as I pass and rush up to him. But Theon and Kaine block my way, grinning wide.
“We are over here.” Theon playfully grabs my shoulder, yanking me to follow them. “You’ll be safe over here.”
I grip the dagger tighter in my hand as I look over my shoulder, trying to find Koen who is now lost in the sea of men.Damn it.
“So, Prince Florian?” Kaine elbows me, teasing. “I bet Theon’s sister didn’t like that.”
A laugh escapes both of their lips. Theon rubs his face. “I’m sure she is ripping him apart right now. She can becrazy.”
“Is this why the Queen put you in here? Florian’slove for youwas too strong and she needs the alliance of the Ice Nation and Eekatia?” Kaine sits on the bottom bed, throwing off his boots.
“I told you why,” I pause, “and Prince Florian does notlove me. Trust me.”
Theon reaches up to climb on the top bunk, fingers curling tightly around the cool metal frame of the bed. With a quick pull-up, his muscles flex and he swiftly swings his leg over to settle on the mattress. He props himself up, letting his legs swing over the frame and begins to dismount his daggers, placing them under his pillow.
“Skie has been obsessed with him since they were kids.” Theon snaps at Kaine to throw him some bread from the supply box under the bottom bunk. “Once the Deskyiara daughter was murdered, Skie knew that once our mother took reign, she would be promised to marry him.”
I know I should be focusing on them, but my attention keeps drifting away as I glance over my shoulder. My eyes anxiously search among the crowd of men, hoping for a glimpse of Koen. The anticipation knots in my stomach, and my heart beats a littlefaster with each passing second. I must find him. I have to know where he sleeps…so I can kill him.
“Skie will never let Florian near you again,” Theon continues. “She always gets her way. And when I say always, I meanalways.”
“That’s fine,” I say, still glancing over my shoulder.
The mattress creaks against the metal frame as Kaine hands the bread upward to Theon, who rips it apart and takes large bites.
“You don’t care?” Kaine rests his elbows into his legs. “Damn, Florian is in love with a woman who doesn’t love him back. That’s heartbreaking.”
Theon chokes on a laugh, his mouth full of bread. “How do you think Skie feels?”
“So true.” Kaine falls back into his bottom bunk, resting his arms under his head. “Take the bottom bed right there, Serene.”
My eyes follow the slight nod of Kaine’s head towards the bunk bed right next to them with no one on top. The bunk beds are mere inches apart, so most men have to shuffle sideways to get through, but I, on the other hand, have no issues. These men could break me in half if they wanted. Which, I know they do.
I take a seat, the firm mattress hardly denting as I sit, reminding me of the time Koen threw me on the cot back in the dungeon.
“This is all his damn fault,” I whisper out, more to myself.
I stare at the ground, gripping the side of the bed. As I heavily breathe, planning out in my head how I am going to destroy Koen for what he has done, a man walks by, his boots halting right in front of me, and the familiar scent of the sea rushes through my nose. I trace his massive body and calves, which are almost the size of my head, and spot his four daggers. Three hang on his belt and one peeks from his pocket. As my eyes drift,I catch Kaine between the man's broad arms, sitting upright with a dagger in hand, waiting to attack if need be.
“You.” He hovers over me.
My chin lifts high. It's the man with the scar from the pit.
“You,” I hiss back.
“Your top bed is the last one available, I’m taking it.” He grunts, lifting his body up above my bed and the metal creaks as he lands on the mattress. I glance above, watching the underbars almost cave to his weight.
I go to speak, but he drops his boots right over, startling me as I grab my chest. “Damn.” I meet Kaine’s lingering eyes, his head shaking as he takes his dagger and gestures it across his neck.
