He should add “delusional” to his list of titles.
Right before “soon to be dead.”
The platform stage floats high above the crowd, adding a touch of authority and power to his words, but that’s all it is…theatrics.
But since I am the one on my knees right now, I’ll play along. For now.
The plan was to quietly drag Tiberius out of his room without anyone noticing, but here we are… about to be executed publicly, because, of course, Shrimp King wants to do this in front of an audience.
The motherfucker thrives on others’ fear. He’ll do anything to keep Eldoris under his thumb. Making an example out of us is the perfect opportunity, one he’s not going to pass up.
“Silence.” One word and the entire hall falls quiet.
His lips purse, barely hiding his satisfaction.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard the rumors…” His gaze finds me, and my heart drops.
Fuck. So that’s how he knew. It wasn’t surveillance or luck. Her name reached him before we did.
“I’m here to confirm it. Your queen,Flaw, has returned.”
Silence follows the announcement. Not a single cheer.
I see the way his jaw clicks. He hates their reaction.
“Her absence hurt his kingdom, but that ends now. After I punish her for abandoning us, she’ll be ready to serve again.”
“Like hell she will. She’ll claw your eyes out before that happens.” The words barely leave my mouth before a boot slams into my side.
Tiberius smirks at his son, the proud glint in his eyes making my stomach churn. “Well done, son. I’ve taught you well.”
Zale’s jaw tightens as he steps, his gaze flickering to me for half a second.
The crowd stirs, restless, and his mood shifts instantly.
And I already know where this goes.
“You’ll die here, Reaper. Forgotten. Torn apart and fed to the sea.” He leans closer, a sick grin spreading over his face. “And after you and your friends are gone, I’ll take what’s mine. She’smyFlaw… not your Hazel.”
“Keep her name out of your filthy mouth.”
Tiberius laughs, entertained by my anger.
He won’t be smirking for long. As soon as I get out of these chains, I’m going to choke the smugness out of him.
“She’ll kneel before me soon enough. Just like you.”
He’s mistaking restraint for submission. Good.
“Listen. Acting like a dick won’t make yours any bigger.” The blow lands before I can move, the end of his sword cracking against my temple, just above my eyebrow.
A trail of warm blood slides down the side of my face, blurring my vision. I blink it away to see past the blood coating my lashes.Worth it.
Pain sparks, but my grin stays. “Wow, you’re real sensitive about that. It’s okay, Tiberius. Some boys have different gifts.”
He hits me again, harder this time, his frustration amping up as Seiji and Anxo laugh.
He quickly realizes he can’t shut me up without killing me, so he turns to Anxo, desperate to keep his audience engaged.
