I’m prey.
Hair stands, sweat drips through the tiny strands, my throat tightens, palms grow slick. I have only a moment, one reaction, one chance to escape.
I look at Galen. He’s not the predator that alerted my senses.
I start to turn my neck, but the time-weaving stops! My body jerks from the sudden inhale of all the sounds and movement again.
My eyes whip to Tristen, clashing with unspoken truths of what I just did. His smile drops faster than being told of a pregnancy scare, from a woman whose name he doesn’t remember. His drunken state is now alert. He looks around and nods, assuring me my secret is safe.
I can’t release the breath held in my lungs. “My newest General!” King Galen grabs my hand with the gifted sword and holds it high to the cheering crowd.
Their praises make my stomach revolt. My gaze shifts to the high ceilings and walls. Black roses line every inch, so many that you can’t see the stones.
Why not just have the party outside in the gardens if you intend to bring them in?
Because that’s what kings do, they cut and kill things, like these roses mounted and hung on their walls, for pleasure.
Like the darkness in Galen’s eyes, the roses are layered. Not just shades of black, but deep violets and uncharted ocean blues. It’s that tiny, insignificant glimpse of color that separates the sleek, dark depths that just move behind them.
There! It’s a small window of sorts. Who’s that lurking behind it?
You’re the result of my uneasiness. The predator stalking me.
I found you!
King Galen lowers my hands and releases me. I grip the newly minted sword as I narrow my eyes at the predator.
Now would be an excellent time to time-weave! But no! Work when I don’t need you.
There! I spot eyes peering at me through a small slit in the wall.
Holy shit!
I feel like ice being pelted with rain. Fracturing. Shocked. The predator steps closer, revealing her face through the small opening.
Silken black stands apart from the dark roses. What are you doing, Queen Selene?
Oh… Shit!
My sharp eyes catch sight of what’s coming for me, an arrow, a weapon, hoping to shatter what is left of me.
Sounds vanish, people slow, but that’s when I see it.
Death is coming, and it is aimed directly at my heart.
Chapter
Six
Selene
The stone walls don’t swallow my breath. Each exhale bounces back, warming my face. My cheeks heat, but my hands are finally steady.
“I have you to protect me,” I said to Galen. I can make threats just as well as he can!
But will he protect me after this?
The question is how badly Galen wants peace? If that’s what he truly wants with my people, he’ll let my transgressions go.
