The deep maroon rug woven with gold filigree makes for the longest walk leading to the library where Euron prefers to do business.
Finally shoving past another hallway, the great mahogany door grows as I get closer to the door that’s nearly two men in height. It’s gaudy—the exact preference of King Euron.
Grasping the brass knob that resembles an intricately carved sun, I twist it and push the door open.
Rune is there, standing next to the desk as King Euron chats with Ambassador Samek, son of the Kingdom of Niamh, the Red Mountains ruler. I’ve met him a handful of times, he’s the closest friend to the king of Naimh.
Samek, with his light-olive skin and dark hair, turns to me. He lifts a brow, his dark-brown eyes boring into me.
King Euron’s fingers tap along his desk, clearly irritated by the way he picks up his rhythm.
“Kassiel. Nice of you to join us,” Euron grates out.
Huffing comes from behind me, and I already know it’s Orlin by the way his wine-smelling breath puffs at the back of my neck.
I bow deeply, submitting to King Euron in front of his guest in hopes it’ll stroke his ego.
Samek turns back to the king and picks back up their conversation.
Rune’s eyes shift to mine and linger for a moment before flicking back to Euron.
I’m still mid bow as Orlin shoves past me and stumbles to Euron’s desk.
“Your Majesty.” Orlin kneels in front of the desk. I straighten and begin to walk slowly to the group of men, knowing Orlin is about to make Euron more than unhappy given his history of always trying to force the king's displeasure on me. He continues, “Are we really going to let him walk in here like?—”
A hard smack ceases the sentence as King Euron’s palm strikes Orlin’s cheek.
“Can you not see I’m with someone right now? Are you blind or just dumb?” Euron practically spits.
Samek looks from Orlin back to me, and a small grin forms.
I keep my face stone, even if it thrills me to see Orlin embarrassed.
“Excuse me, Ambassador Samek,” the king begins, “I need just a moment with my men.”
The ambassador nods and excuses himself, brushing past me in a cloud of rich, aromatic musk.
Once the door is quietly shut, Euron unleashes his fury.
“I will be withyouin a moment,” he snaps in my direction. “For now, Orlin, you dishonor me greatly when you enter here like a child demanding me to whip a sibling. Do you know how that makes me look, you cuck?!” He practically roars while Orlin still kneels with his head hung low.
Euron spins, pushing from the desk, and grabs a thin cane switch.I’ve seen this punishment hundreds of times, been under the switch myself nearly the same amount.
Euron lifts his chin. “Stand, youclemantra.”You person lower than dirt.
The king’s favorite insult is followed by a lash across the back of Orlin as he stands.
The crack of the cane slaps down again and again. Orlin just takes it, not even a groan escaping his lips. We’ve all learned that any hint of weakness, even when meant to, will only land us in more pain.
When the king decides he’s done with his punishment, he turns and points the cane at me. “You have one chance to explain where in Haldir you’ve been. If I don’t believe you, I will send you to my dungeons where you’ll stay until I say.”
I can feel Rune’s gaze land on mine. We’d planned this, come to expect that this would very likely happen. Our rehearsed answer threads from my lips easily.
“When The Hidden attacked in Astoria, I was separated in the chaos. I was knocked unconscious and when I awoke, I’d discovered that Rune and Orlin were nowhere to be found.”
King Euron’s eyes snap to Rune, who simply nods.
“Why did you not send a raven? Anything? I summoned you, or did you forget that when the Nasc Gal burned?”
