I was the first to break the silence. “What crimes has this girl committed to warrant being strapped to a bed in a whorehouse without food or water?”
“That is none of your concern!” A man to Clause’s right snapped.
“Dragal.” Clause silenced him with just his name.
The man’s mouth snapped shut, but his face turned red with anger.
Clause remained where he stood as he addressed me. “In this life, you are not yet my Queen. We are not yet true ruling equals. Therefore, when you act against my wishes, it cannot be ignored. No one acts against the Sidhe royalty.” Darkness emanated from him, potent and heavy. It vibrated through everyone and everything, stemming completely from him.There was something terrifying about it. Unhinged.
“But the girl–”
He cut me off. “I do not care for the girl. She does not matter outside of the weight you foolishly placed on her life. And for what purpose?” His sights narrowed, though remained solely on me.
Behind him, Iona’s gaze slid to Erik before returning to me.
“Her life matters,” I stated firmly.
He nodded while a frown pulled at his lips. “I told you tonot go looking for Iona.” His gaze finally left me and moved over those in the room. My heart stopped when it focused on where Erik stood before continuing through the space. “Someone here gave you information on where to find her.” He turned back to me. “And you took it and directly opposed my wishes.” His voice was so deceptively calm, but Ifeltthe danger in it.
I stood completely rigid before him. “You act as though I have never opposed you before.”
“With your words. I will allow that with you. But with your actions?” He slowly shook his head. “You forget who is King here. I have tried to be patient with you, but apparently, some lessons will need to be learned sooner rather than later.” He clasped his hand behind his back and moved further into the space, walking a small circle as he again looked over the servants in the room before returning to where he started. “It seems like you brought a girl here, but there are simply not enough beds.”
That was not true. There were plenty, two still open, even with the girl added to the room.
He continued, “So now that you took a life from me, I expect you to give one in return.”
My mouth went dry. “What do you mean?”
He lifted a hand, gesturing to the space. “Choose one servant who stays in this room and take their life using only your conjuring.” He shrugged, icy gaze centering on me. “A fair trade.”
27
ERIK
Ariana’s entire body stilled. She did not even draw a breath, did not blink as her wide eyes held the stare of the Sidhe King.
Dread engulfed the room, and with it, the scent of fear emanated from nearly every being. They made not a single sound.
Timothy hid his hands, tucking them behind his back to veil the shaking while his attention remained glued on Clause and Ariana. The boy swallowed and locked his legs to keep them from trembling.
“You cannot be serious.” Ariana’s voice drifted out of her, soft with disbelief.
The Sidhe King titled his head. The movement somehow came off threatening. “I very much am. You have two minutes to decide who you wish to make the payment with.”
“I accept the punishment.” Gorm’s rough voice pulled at the attention of everyone. He looked at Ariana. “I told you whereIona would be, and in doing so, I accepted responsibility for my actions.”
Ariana’s face paled as she viewed her friend. “No.” She turned to Clause, approaching him. “You don’t have to do this.”
He released a breath, eyes dimming with a mixture of determination and something else. “Maybe there’s a different way to teach you and your friends here this lesson. But this is the punishment I chose. It is already done. I am a man of my word and will not go back on a decision,” he said with a cold detachment.
“They don’t deserve this.” Ariana shook her head, brows drawn. “These were my actions. I accept responsibility myself. They do not need to suffer. Not fo–”
She never finished voicing the thought, for the man at Clause’s side abruptly shifted and backhanded her. The movement was so sudden; I didn’t even register it in time before it was too late. My attention had been focused on the King and her.
A deep, voracious tension shot through my body. My ears muffled, my claws slid out of my fingertips, muscles strained to not immediately act.
Ariana’s neck snapped to the side due to the power behind the blow, her hair fanning out from the movement. When she looked up, her eyes met with mine and they alone were the only thing keeping me from moving from my spot and peeling the skin from Clause and his men.
