‘How many?’
‘We only moved two units, my Queen.’
‘No. How many of my soldiers are dead?’
‘Twenty-three, my Queen.’ At that, I threw my glass of wine across the room, shattering it against the wall behind Geraldine. She did not flinch when everyone else in the room did.
‘Strip and follow me. I want the Morgadians in cuffs and brought to the great hall. Jasper, find Everett; he couldn’t have gone far,’ I seethed as I stormed out of the room, with everyone rushing behind me.
Entering the great hall,I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw my throne; there was comfort in seeing it. Away from this room it almost felt as though anyone could take it in my absence not that anyone would dare. The hall as usual was filled with various families from across Maureia, nobles and representatives from every region. They all bowed their heads in acknowledgement as I took my place. My council members and allies followed behind me. Murmurs erupted as Jasper brought Demir and Everett in, with people shocked at their presence given the ban in place and the fact that I had secured high value prisoners in their eyes. Geraldine stood in front of me no longer wearing her cloak but still wearing an under shirt.
‘My people, I left these walls to obtain some leverage over Morgad,’ I said, gesturing to the two men in chains. ‘In my absence, while my council was dispersed across the realms making political moves in our favour for the war that is to come, I left Geraldine in charge of my armies and soldiers. People who belong to your families. I was not here to protect them and twenty-three died; for that, I am indebted to you. I will begin paying that debt now. Geraldine, when I said “strip”, I meanteven your undershirt.’ I stepped behind her and drew my dagger from my boot. Geraldine sunk to her knees as I kicked them out from under her.
‘Sienna, give me their names. Geraldine will receive one cut for every soul she lost.’
She began reciting the names of every soldier and, as she did, I sliced a single horizontal line into Geraldine’s back. Distinguishing them from her honourable kills, these would be her shame. She did not flinch in pain; instead, she sat firm with her chin raised, accepting her punishment as blood seeped down her body and pooled onto the floor.
‘Families of the fallen, step forward.’ Only one woman and two men stepped forward—the rest were likely in the middle of burying their loved ones.
‘Only the spirits know if my presence would have changed the course of their lives, but they will never be forgotten.’ The woman who stepped forward started crying, but refused to balk at the confronting moment when her raw emotions would be seen by everyone. I walked over to one of the fires bordering the hall and dug the tip of my sword into the hot coals. Whispers began as my people tried to guess what would happen to Geraldine now. The blade turned orange from the heat trapped within it. I handed the blade over to the woman first, and as she made a step towards Geraldine, I stopped her.
‘Not her. Geraldine, your punishment is done. Clean yourself up and find out how Sebastian got past your men and into the Ancient Forest. Now I must atone for my failure.’ I turned to the grieving woman once more. ‘You will carve the initials of the loved one you have lost into my skin.’ Shocked gasps echoed throughout the hall. The woman stepped back, but my eyes stopped her in her tracks. I turned to undo my fighting leathers and pulled my shirt over my head. I met Demir’s eyes as he stood across the hall from me, but his expression was unreadable.
The tip of the blade pressed into the skin of my back, thesound of searing flesh filling the hall. I didn’t blink; instead, I held Demir’s gaze, showing him exactly who I am—my strength and my commitment to my people. It was a challenge. The burning sound faded as the smell of flesh filled the room.
I took the blade and held it over the flames once more before handing it to the first man who had stepped forward. He looked as though he were holding back tears. The now familiar press of the blade dug under my skin right beneath the first initials as I clenched my fists. The third time, my vision blurred, and blood pooled in my mouth as I bit back a cry of pain.
I took a deep breath before addressing them, the sword firmly back in my hand. ‘Go home to the loved ones you have left. Whatever you need, be it burial expenses or jobs to fill the lost income, it is yours. Geraldine will see to it.’
I could not put my shirt back on due to the fresh wounds, so I turned and walked out of the hall. Gasps followed me as more people bore witness to my mutilated skin.
‘Sienna, bring the Morgadians and follow me.’
Once we were far enough away from the hall and prying eyes, I stopped in one of the side halls and pressed my forehead to the cool stone of the wall to catch my breath.
Everett whistled. ‘I don’t remember you being such a badass.’ Sienna tsked at him as she rushed over to me.
‘I’m fine, Sienna; I’ve been through far worse.’
Demir stepped forward and leaned against the wall next to me, eyeing me, when Everett spoke up. ‘Why don’t you just heal yourself?’
Demir chuckled at his friend’s question. ‘Isn’t it obvious? She’s punishing herself.’
‘No, I’m not. I am honouring those soldiers. Why should I get to block out the pain when they will have to live with theirs for the rest of their lives? The least I can do is shoulder some of it for a few days out of respect.’
Demir tucked some of my hair behind my ear, and as his hand grazed it, I heard him.My little Ruhi is fullof surprises.
‘I’m not your “little” anything,’ I snapped without thinking. Demir’s hand dropped to my back, trailing over the many scars that marred it. Losing myself for the briefest moment, I wanted to moan. His smile grew wicked before Sienna pulled me from my trance and brought me back to reality; I batted him away.
‘Sky, no one said anything.’ Sienna looked at me with concern.
‘That’s Queen Skylar when we are in company. I will not remind you again, Sienna, and if you must know, I can hear his thoughts sometimes. Must be because he’s my Zauvek. Now, who is going to decode this book for me?’ I said, pulling Demir’s tattered book from my pocket and dismissing Sienna’s contributions to the conversation.
‘Unfortunately, I can’t do that; it’s a spell that cannot be undone, but Demir here can read it for you. Since it is his book, the magic is linked to him, and so only he can decipher it. Not even my eyes can read it,’ Everett explained.
‘Princeling, you’re coming with me.’
Thirty-Five
