“Ravar attacked your pack, beautiful. He killed your kin. We can’t go back there.” He shakes his head no once more, and once more I ignore him.
My hand slips into his and the calloused skin there is strangely calming. Perhaps it’s because I have a semi-thought-out scheme, and we’re taking action.
Right fucking now.
At first, it’s a casual few steps to the right. More of a pacing than anything. Nothing to see here. Not two of the kingdom’s most deadly beasts attempting a barking break out with three hellhounds. Nope. Nothing to see here.
And then I’m running. I’m dragging a stumbling man behind me as I run toward Zilo like he can save my fucked-up life I’ve screwed myself into.
As for Zilo, he’s on high alert at the very sight of me. With the confident strides of a commander, he’s headed toward me, his hands outstretched as if he might clutch me into his embrace the second I’m close enough. And fuck, suddenly that’s all I want: for him to hold me and let me steal us away from this war that’s building all around us.
Nothing more but a few yards separate me from him. I drag Romey along faster. My hand reaches out, and I’m seconds away from getting us on our way out of this literal hell.
My fingers brush his. It’s warmth, and it’s strength, and it’s total security of our future.
But the burnt taste of ash is on my tongue with a flurry of smoke clouding around me.
Because Creatchin is snatching up my wrist before I ever fully feel Zilo’s hand in mine.
“What are you doing, Cersia?” she asks with a tilt of her head.
What. Am. I. Doing?
That is an excellent question.
An excellent lie would only be suitable.
“I wanted to shift in privacy. I thought your followers would revel in the sight of your power if they saw my beast sitting dutifully at your side.” I stare up at her with a blank expression smeared across my face.
I don’t know that I’ve ever said the words “revel” and “dutifully” out loud. Goddess, who the fuck am I right now?
“I knew you were the reward I deserved. Great rewards from our Goddess cost great sacrifice. The goddess taught me that last night. And I have been rewarded.” Her inky orbs shine in the intensity of the moonlight, and in the setting of this eerie moment, I don’t know if she’s full of hellish shit or if the goddess truly does speak to this woman.
Or at least, that’s what she believes.
“You are correct, my queen,” I say with an alarming smile.
Fuck, I’m as bad as she is.
Except I’m sane.
I think . . .
“Shift, Cersia. Shift and show these followers what our queendom’s magnitude looks like.” Her hands are clasped around mine, and I’m very aware of the two men standing on either side of us.
They’re on defense. Subtle, subtle defense.
As am I.
Her thin fingers feel like shackles around my skin as her hold on me tenses. I nod. Her smile widens.
“Step back, my queen,” I say on a smooth breath of a promise.
Scary excitement beams in her gaze. She releases me slowly. She takes one step after another, never turning away from my image as she backs up. Zilo watches her closely, and he moves aside for her to put space between us. But he himself doesn’t leave my side.
“Cersia.” Roman says my name like a whispering warning bell.
He may as well have roared, “Don’t fucking be stupid,” at the back of my head.
