I turned my head to look the lascivious bastard right in the eye, smiling sweetly at him, “I’d rather have died in the competition than ever lower myself to fuck the likes of you.”
Watching his face fall into a furious little pout that I’m sure he thought was more of a glower, he ripped the sleeve of my dress down, nearly exposing my breast in the process. He ran the gleaming blade of his knife across my upper arm harshly, the blood spilling into the bottle he quickly raised to it.
“Maybe they’ll let me take you before we kill you,” he whispered into my ear, reaching up to push a curl of hair behind my ear, while I tried to twitch away from him. He laughed low in his throat, “I can make you scream in all kinds of ways before your final death.”
“Or maybeI’llkillyou,” I responded as calmly as I could, knowing that I was basically provoking a deranged toddler. He proved me right by growling before backhanding me, sending the chair toppling over. I grunted as I hit the floor, the shock running up the right side of my body.
“Stuck up bitch,” he snarled, reaching to grab me by the shoulders. “I’ll show you?—”
“Casaan!” his mother snapped, and I looked up, bewildered to find that Lady Sienna was my unexpected savior. “That’s quite enough. You’ll soon be a prince; you need to start acting like it.”
Their blood acquired, the nobles were seemingly done with me for now. They left me surrounded by guards as Casaan whined to his mother aboutthem ruining his fun and Sania whined to her father about her betrothed now wanting me, too, on top of Azurill and Erodite already favoring me over her. It was all just too much for her delicate ego to handle, apparently.
Carnelian watched me the entire time as the others made their way out. I tried not to show any reaction, but their ridiculousness made it difficult. His eyes narrowed on me before he spoke, “You might have a bit of protection for now, but we’ll find a way around it. These things always have their loopholes, and you’ll work just as well alive or dead when it comes to baiting Azurill. Don’t get too comfortable.”
“Gee, how difficult that will be in these chains,” I replied sarcastically, before he shut the door with a glower.
If I had to die before leaving this room, I swore I’d find a way to take him and his pig of a son with me first.
Chapter Fifty
Azurill
Aragged gasp tore through my throat, and I blinked my eyes open to find Balthazar, Alwyn, and Ruri hovering above me.
“Brother, are you okay?” Ruri asked frantically, his hands fluttering around like he wanted to touch me to be sure, but was afraid of hurting me.
“What—” A cough forced its way out before I could finish, and I reached up to rub my sore throat. “The fuck?” I finally croaked out.
“We heard Lady Sania enter, but we were frozen before we could get out of the room,” Balthazar answered, helping me sit up, with Alwyn taking the other side.
“Probably for the best, all things considered,” Alwyn added, sapphire brows rising sardonically. “Something tells me she didn’t want witnesses.”
“Linnea?” I asked, looking around frantically as the memory of what had happened crystalized.
“Slow down, Az.” Ruri grabbed my shoulder, but I brushed him off.
“Slow down?” I scoffed, shaking my head. “Where is she?” I demanded.
“They’re gone,” Emrys announced as he entered the room, Arianell following behind him and wringing her hands nervously. “Not one Ruby or Pearl courtier is left in the palace. All their carriages and horses are gone, too.”
“How did they get out so fast?” Balthazar growled, a severe frown marring his face.
“They were clearly planning this,” Arianell spoke up, shaking her head. “They were prepared.”
“They have Linnea?” I demanded, looking between them all. They went quiet, refusing to meet my eyes, which was answer enough. I nodded, moving to grab my armor and weapons.
“Woah, woah!” Balthazar grabbed my hand as I reached for my sword, and I raised a brow at him. “We need a plan before we run off half-cocked, Az.”
“Zar, I am not letting them have her one second longer than necessary, do you understand?” I met his eyes, letting him see the resolve pulsing through me. She’d been through enough in her life thanks to that asshole, I refused to let him take any more from her, especially not on my watch.
“They took her for a reason, don’t you think this may be a trap?” he asked quietly, frosty-blue eyes watching intensely.
“I don’t care,” I snapped, looking at each of them in turn. “If you want to stay here, then fine, but I’m going after her.Now. She’s been on her own for years because I failed to protect her family from the same fuckers who just took her! But now she has me.” I panted, the pure rage coursing through me making it hard to breathe. “And I’m not leaving her alone ever again.”
I turned and grabbed my sword, hefting its weight up and watching as the light made the blade shine. I couldn’t wait to dull that shine with the ruby-red blood of the traitors who dared to take the woman I love from me.
“Now, which of you will help rescue your High Queen?” My brow lifted, and each of them bowed their heads in turn.
