Black eyes stare down at me. A guard, dressed in all black armor, pins my arms to the wall, but doesn’t remove the dagger in my grip. He doesn’t need to, because he sees me as weak.
Stupid mistake, really.
“He said to be careful,” he breathes, blood soaking his tongue. At least he just fed. “That you were powerful. You’re nothing but an inbred Witch parading as a queen.”
Fear tries to weigh down my limbs but it’s the ball of anger in my gut that I latch on to. How dare this guard try to hurt me,insultmy species. Insult my station.
Just like the Humans who thought I was only a woman, meant to warm their beds, this Fae thinks I’m beneath him in the chain of species superiority. He thinks I’m fragile, easily subdued. He thinks I can’t be a queen.
He doesn’t know how wrong he is.
Remembering my trainings with Fee, I grip the hilt and twist my wrist. Flicking it upward, I nick his skin, my curved blade doing deep damage as the smell of blood overwhelms us. The smallest surge of magic rises with the scent, hungry for more.
The dagger falls from my grip, to my free hand and I kick him back.
“This inbred Witch doesn’t go without a fight,” I mutter. He stumbles, a hand to his chest, surprised. He didn’t expect it.
“OnBel’sname, I’ll show you—” He lunges for me but I move, spinning out of his reach. At least with this guard, I’m quicker. He crashes into the wall and I stand in the middle of the hall, dagger at the ready.
“Who sent you to get me?” I ask, sizing him up. He wipes his nose, a smear of red coating his cheek. His wrist is quickly healing which puts me at a disadvantage. “Was it the king?”
The guard smiles, fangs glinting in the shadows. “What the king wants, he’ll get. You’re his to be used soon enough.”
A shudder of disgust graces my body, bile sloshing in my gut.
His hands dart out, going for my throat, but I’m already moving, dagger slicing one palm as I kick his shin with my sharp heel.
He falls to one knee, cursing me at the impact.
“You would take your prince’s mate?”
“I will follow my king’s orders,” he groans, narrowing his gaze on me.
“Let me guess. He’s done this before?” I slam my thigh into his face, pain radiating throughout as the guard fall to his back. Hopefully, Kaden is too far away to feel the effects. “Send a guard to take something he wants for himself. People, money. Whatever he wants, he gets, right?”
Laughing, he chokes on the blood dripping down his throat, speckles of red coloring his face and chest.
“In this world, Zelos controlsall. Soon, you’ll understand that. Just like the princess did.” Blood falls to the ground, a red puddle that so slightly calls to me. “You may be claimed by his heir, but it means nothing. You’ll be his soon enough.”
I straddle the guard, my knee pressing against his forearm, dagger poised at his throat. A thin line of red blooms, and I grin as my magic thrums through my veins, buzzing like a swarm of angry bees.
It’s not enough to do any damage but just feeling it again, my soul heals a fraction more.
“I am claimed by the heir. Onlyhewill have me,” I spit, words flying out before I can think them clearly. I’m a woman possessed, a rage so black it coats my tongue like ash. “I could forgive your transgression against me.”Not really.“But you brought up my sister-in-law who I care for very much. And that won’t do.”
The dagger cuts into his throat quickly, blood spilling onto the floor. It stains my hands, coats my fingers and I almost cry, relieved at feeling it once more.
I should feel guilt, shame at killing, but I don’t. It was either him or me, and I’ll choose me every time. Because to choose me, means choosing to keep Kaden alive.
Another weak thump thuds in my head. Head snapping up, I look into the shadowed halls, not seeing anyone but Ifeelit.Someone is coming.
Standing, I don’t bother to hide the guard. Let them see what I’vedone, a hellcat finally let out of her cage and striking her enemies down. Hurriedly, I dash through the hall, back to the bed chambers, body aching. Locking the door behind me, my panic spikes as cold fear clamps a hand around my heart, feeling my blood race. I need to barricade the door, try to slow down the attackers, but how?
Rampant terror curses through my body and my hands shake as I throw a side table in front of the large door. It won’t stop much, but it’s better than nothing.
Body no longer sore, adrenaline surging through my veins, I shake out my hands and search. Like in the forest, in the Human court, I had only my instincts to survive and right now, I need to trust them.
Including needing more protection. My eyes land on the chair.
