The only mercy was the fact that Max was able to touch base with some lingering noble family members to secure our stay on the pretence that they didn’t know why we were actually here. They’d mentioned not wanting to know – that they were tense enough having a Collier in their midst, thanks to the growing threat of Hadar’s Guards and the knowledge of my father’s peace treaty spreading like wildfire through the royal rumor mill.
Unfortunately, my fresh title of king consort to the ‘Queen of Nightmares’ did us no favors either. Our only hope was Max’s relation and the tireless kissing of their pompous asses by Felix.
“Will.” I gripe, trying to ignore my Wield burning underneath my skin, a reaction to the magnitude of magic coursing through the ley lines around us.
His shoulders tense at my voice, bracing for what I have to say. We’ve not been exactly seeing eye to eye for the past few weeks, and as an olive branch, I’d allowed him to lead this particular interrogation. However, I was under the impression that would mean there would actuallybean interrogation. Sadly, if what he is doing is interrogating, I may as well resign myself to living the rest of my life in this spot until I shrivel up and turn to dust.
“You said you would let me handle this.” He grumbles, keeping his voice hushed.
“That’s when I thought this would take an hour or two. You’re taking too long, and nothing he’s said has been of any value.”
Will’s sighs echo off the dank walls. “Because you keep interrupting and losing your temper.”
Ha.“Fine. I’ll see myself out then.” He gives me a noncommittal noise in response, and I turn sharply on my heel, needing a breather from the stuffy structure we’d holed ourselves up in.
To my not-so-surprise, when I step outside, I find it’s raining. It’s rained every fucking day since we set foot in Sorrel.
Where Obsidian is grim in an ominous and haunting manner, its eastern neighbor is grim in a sluggish way. Plagued with the type of weather that has you never wanting to get out of bed.Though I guess I don’t know what I expected from the kingdom that’s home to Weather Wielders.
I drop my head back against the structure, the dampness of it soaking through to my scalp, sending a chill down my spine. I push on the space where the tether to her mind used to be,and dread pools in my stomach as I, again, am met with only emptiness and the desperate thought that I won’t ever bring her home.
And right now – I’m starting to believe I won’t.
It took Will an agonizing amount of time to finally humble himself and let me handle the man.
After somepersuading, I managed to get out of him that he’d “seen an oddly matched couple wandering into an inn while selling in the markets of Sira”. It wasn’t much – but it was enough for me to extend him a more merciful exit out of this world than the others have gotten.
“Thank you for that.” I grunt, my knife slicing quickly along his carotid. His body spasms, choking on the blood filling the back of his throat.
Bennett lurks over in the corner, waiting for me to flick my fingers and signal for him to handle the remains. After a few seconds, the man’s body stills, and I stalk outside. Will is waiting off to the side, his head down, rubbing a hand roughly against his chin – his form and the heavy focus in his stare are more evidence that he is only tentatively in my corner these days.
“He mentioned Sira. We need to speak with Max once Bennett’s done, make the arrangements.” Will scoffs, his scowl deepening. “Have something to say? Or argue, Will?” I add, unable to control the sarcasm in my tone. He shakes his head, dismissing the question. “No, really, you’ve had so much to say these past few weeks. Months really. Why stay quiet now?” I snap.
Will’s eyes lift to mine, anger brimming behind them when he notices the blood spattered on me. “Is this really the effect she has on you? Her hooks are in you so deep?” He sneers, gesturingtowards and down my body as he pushes off the tree trunk. “You’re killing people.Innocentpeople–”
“They’re not innocent,” I interject.
“The man gave us the name of a city. A fucking city Ror – and you still killed him. It’s not like he aided Ezra – if that’s even who has her!”
My muscles tense at the utterance of Ezra’s name, red creeping across my vision. “I owe it to her men. To Obsidian – a kingdom I now preside over – to find and bring her home.”
“Why?”
“Why?” I repeat, stifling the incredulous laugh in my chest.
He nods. “Why?Why can’t you just do the sensible thing at this point? You’re a fugitive of Vellar. A disgraced prince.”
“Please name more of my disappointing accolades.”
Will rolls his eyes back, continuing his rant without missing a beat, “you could do anything you fucking wanted. Why does it have to be this?”
“Because she’s mywife.” The answer comes out surprisingly easily.
With how red his face turns, it looks like steam might blow out of his nose and ears. “SHE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW THAT!”
Frustration builds inside me, and I take a step towards him, my hand finding the hilt of my dagger. Before either of us can say ordoanything else regrettable, the sound of wet leaves crumpling behind us drags our attention away from each other.
Bennett stands in the shadows, his face hard to read from the lack of light, but the rigid posture tells me enough. He’s grown tired of Will and I’s persistent bickering.Though I’d wager we are all tired of Will and me bickering.
