“You don’t have to do that,” I said, finally pocketing the blade.
“Of course he does,” Landin spoke as he, too, joined our growing group that was now half Lysian and half Bavadrin. Though he smiled at me, it turned into a scowl when he turned to the Lysians. “You lot planning on letting her enjoy the night or are you going to remain hovering around her and scaring off those who wish to pay her their respects?” His tone was cold and dismissive.
No. Do not do this. Not tonight.
“Landin,” Willis said in warning, beating me to it.
Erik tilted his head, his attention fully on Landin as he took one small step toward him. Willis stiffened but otherwise did not move.
“You can pretend to be big and strong, but I know how you tremble with fear. How youreekof it,” Erik said, his voice deathlycalm. His jaw clenched in a way that made it seem like he was going to say more but stopped himself.
“Does it look like I am trembling in fear, Lysian dog?” Landin sneered.
The blood drained from my face as the surrounding air turned uncomfortably thick.
Kole grunted, hand casually moving to the hilt of his sword.
Erik’s face became completely unreadable.
Instantly I moved, stepping in front of Landin. “I want you silent,” I hissed between clenched teeth.
I then turned to Erik and his terrifyingly indecipherable expression. “He is just worried about me. He did not mean it,” I said as if it were an excuse.
Landinscoffedbehind me.
If he survived this, I was liable to peel his skin from his body myself at this rate. And yet, I said, “Please, Erik.”
Erik looked past me, kept his focus trained entirely on Landin. The Lysian King took yet another step towards us, nearly trapping me between the two of them.
Surprisingly, no one around the room noticed, or they were pretending not to.
“Erik.” Though I said his name, he did not respond to it.
The Lysian King invaded my space as he leaned towards Landin. “The only reason you draw breath is because Ariana saved your miserable life. The way I see it, the only reason you are a sliver more than worthless is becauseshedeems it so. I would prefer to erase you from this world, and if you continue to push me, then despite her love for you, I am afraid I won’t be able to hold back. After all, I am no more than a Lysian dog.” Erik looked down, meeting my gaze and holding it. The power running through him felt electric, buzzing, poised to strike. Without saying a word to me, he turned and stalked away, Kole stiffly following suit.
I pivoted. “What in Spirit’s name is the matter with you! He is the Lysian King!”
“I don’t care the least bit what he is.” Landin folded his hands over his chest in defiance. His jaw set with a stubbornly rigid demeanor.
“Do you wish to die? Is that what you want?” I could have wrung his neck.
“I want you released,” he stated flatly.
Willis, who still stood beside him, looked around the room as if to make sure we were not drawing unnecessary attention.
“And you think angering the Lysian King is a way to get that outcome?” I pressed.
“He holds you hostage. Who knows what is being done to you while you are under his control.” His gaze narrowed on me. Was he angry with me?
“What exactly do you think is being done to her?” Iver asked, drawing all our attention. Why had he not followed Erik as Kole had?
“You tell me,Lysian,” Landin replied with growing anger.
“You should take a walk,” Willis said, grabbing Landin by his arm, but he twisted out of the hold.
“How can you be okay with this?” Landin asked Willis.
I reached for Landin’s shoulder. “That Lysian King spared your life when he thought that we may have had something to do with the disappearance of?—”
