“Blood,” he said, giving no further explanation. Then he added, “It’s all right if you like what you see.”
“I don’t,” she said through her teeth. It wasn’t a lie. He might look young and beautiful, but it only fueled her disgust. Her arms begged her to reach across the coach and tear Morkai limb from limb. Then she’d climb from the carriage, find Teryn, and do the same to him. Unfortunately, she’d been disarmed while she was unconscious. Her bow and quiver were gone as was her belt, taking with it her knife and dagger. That left only magic.
She breathed in deep, letting her rage pour through her, directing it down her palms, to…to…
The blood left her face. She felt nothing.
Shaking her head, she tried again, breathing in deep. Her lungs, however, felt too shallow and her mind refused to stay in one place, refused to let her focus on her breath. She breathed in again, seeking any sign that her magic was there. A light tingle ran over her palms but that was it. Her magic lingered, just below the surface, but it felt tangled. Smothered.
By what? Was this Morkai’s doing?
Morkai’s grin widened. “I told you, Aveline. You’re no threat to me.”
She bit back her retort and forced herself to mirror his composure. Leaning back in her seat, she asked with feigned calm, “What do you intend to do with me?”
His answer came easily. “I’m taking you home to Ridine Castle, of course.”
She huffed a dark laugh. “To be sent back to the dungeon? To be executed at last? Why did you even bother freeing me from the dungeon six years ago if you were only going to hunt me down later?”
“Whether you return to the dungeon upon our arrival at the castle is up to you. Should I will it, I can have you reclaim your rightful place as princess.”
Her stomach flipped. She’d never dreamed of regaining her title. Had never wanted it back. Not after everything that had happened. Not after her brother had turned his back on her and condemned her. She’d let her old identity die the night she fled the castle and never said a word of the truth to anyone. Never enlightened any of the Forest People who’d brought up the poor princess’ death.
“I can tell you don’t believe me,” Morkai said, “but I promise you it’s true.”
He was right. She didn’t believe a word he said. “The world thinks I’m dead. How do you plan on resurrecting me?”
“That’s a simple matter, for here you are breathing. Try bringing someone who’s truly dead back to the realm of the living. That, my dear, is a far greater challenge but one I daresay will not be out of my reach for long.”
Her mouth went dry at his words. She hadn’t a clue what he was talking about, but it left a queasy feeling in her stomach. It did bring to mind a question that had haunted her these last six years.
“Who did you kill in my stead?”
“Just a maid wearing Princess Aveline’s bracelet. So, in a way, you killed her. I couldn’t have chosen better myself.”
Fury surged through her. She balled her hands tight and considered launching herself at him. She may not have weapons, but she had fingernails. Teeth. Arms for punching and legs for kicking—
“Easy,” he said. His knuckles went white on his cane. “One move from you and I’ll rescind my offer to restore your title.”
She deepened her glare but forced herself to ease back against her seat. Not because she was interested in hearing his offer but because she still had many questions. “I don’t understand how you did it. My brother thinks a maid killed his sister, but I’m the one he convicted, knowing full well who I was when he found me with the queen.”
“He was so deep in grief, he knew not what he saw. I reminded him of that when we found dear little Aveline’s body. She was so swollen from whatever poison the maid had given her that she was barely recognizable. It wasn’t hard to get him to accept a new truth.”
A cold shiver ran down her spine. “You brainwashed him.”
“Your brother has always been a weak-minded man.”
“And yet you serve him most loyally.”
His eyes took on a vicious gleam. “Do I, Aveline? Or does he serve me in every way?”
She swallowed hard. In all these years, she’d let herself despise her brother. Morkai had always held the greatest fault in her mind, but Dimetreus had stood by and accepted lie after lie while ignoring every truth she’d told him. When her brother found her with his dead wife’s body, he didn’t hesitate for more than a second before he condemned her. He heard not a word as she argued her case. He shed not a tear as he had his guards drag her into a cell beneath the castle.
What if Dimetreus’ reaction hadn’t been entirely his fault? If Morkai could manipulate the king into changing his own memories…what else could he do?
“What do you want from me?” she asked, a slight tremble building in her voice. Whether it was from fear or anger she knew not.
“To talk.”
