A sigh escaped the horde king just as my hand closed around the key. I scraped it against the lock at his ankles, trying to find the—
There.
The key slid inside and I turned it.
The cuffs fell away from Rowin.
Freed.
Benn stumbled back against the workbench, cradling his wrist and making choking sounds as Rowin stalked forward. Slowly. Like a predator circling its prey. It was the first time that I felt a rush of fear skitter down my spine at the sight of the horde king. The first time I realized how dangerous he could be.
A ringing sound chimed from his sword when he slid the edge against his gold cuff in one quick motion, like he was wiping the blade clean. And I wouldn’t lie. That sound scared the shit out of me.
It also madeawarenessof his strength curl low in my belly, hot and unwanted and unexpected.
My lips parted.
“We ne-need to go,” I told him, shaken by the sudden, strange feeling that came over me.
It was like Rowin didn’t hear me.
“I told you that you would die under the Dead Mountain,” came his rough voice, but he was only addressing Benn. “And that I wouldrelishyour death.”
“Rowin,” I bit out, gasping for breath.
Benn held his hands out in front of him, stark fear shining in his eyes. The scent of piss suddenly filled the room, acrid and sour, and I heard the horde king make a sound of disgust as the front of Benn’s trews suddenly darkened.
“No, d-don’t,” Benn pleaded, one wrist hanging limp.
Rowin’s sword glinted and flashed. I lunged for his arm and for a moment, he stilled. In the hallway outside the room, I saw Emmi and Bray, their dull daggers drawn, though no one dared to step into the room. I assumed there were others behind them too.
“No more death,” I pleaded. “Please.”
I was so tired of death. I was so tired ofeverything.I wouldnotbe responsible for Benn’s death. I didn’t want that on my conscience, no matter how vile or reprehensible he was.
Rowin’s jaw tightened. I heard his teeth grind together in between Benn’s shuddering gasps.
“Very well,sarkia,” he said smoothly.
Then, quicker than I could blink, his sword came down.
I screamed as the blade cut cleanly through Benn’s broken wrist. His hand fell to the floor with a disgusting, wet, heavy plop.
“A fitting punishment for one who raises a hand to females,” came Rowin’s growl, sounding unaffected by what he’d just done.
Benn’s roar of shock and agony filled the room. He fell to the floor, holding the stump of his wrist, blood flowing profusely from the wound.
“You are no leader. They will figure that out soon enough,” Rowin told him.
Then he turned from Benn and I saw the cold flash over his features.
Like he’s already forgotten him, I thought, my heart pounding at what I’d just witnessed. I was clutching a hand over my heart, willing it to slow.
Rowin took my arm, though his grip was shockingly…gentle. He pulled me from the room, leaving Benn crying out in pain on the floor, blood blooming quickly beneath him.
Most of the men had followed Benn. I saw Tess hovering behind them all, her eyes wide and stricken.
The horde king eyed them all and I realized why his demeanor was so relaxed.
