“Then you shall live, unless there becomes another reason for you not to. I mean, Maeve…surely you understand at least the basics of what those markings mean.” His eyes gestured to my arms, a hint of spite in his voice. “Don’t you?”
“I don’t,” I answered, knowing that he would elaborate and buy my friends more time, but also wondering what exactly he knew that I didn’t.
“No one seems to know anything about them, aside from you. I’ve been dying to do some research, but alas, the archives where I come from have been destroyed.”
Beaumont ran a hand over his auburn hair while fighting back a thrilled grin. “Well, Ihavebeen able to do some digging on the subject, and though I shouldn’t bother telling you, I suppose it won’t hurt—seeing as I highly doubt you have the means to comply with every request I make, and therefore will be dead soon anyway.”
Another soulless shrug.
I wasn’t a violent person by nature—mouthy and stubborn, yes. But not violent. This man however…This man made me want to experiment with every possible form of murder.
My teeth dug into my cheek but I forced words to spill from the seal of my lips. “Please,Cyprian,” I hummed, crossing my arms over my chest, subsequently pushing my breasts up. “Please enlighten me on what my markings mean.”
Beaumont didn’t even try to hide his wandering eyes. They scanned the top of my shirt, his pupils dilating before they forcefully rose to my lips so he could begin his elaboration. “Those with a mark can wield stronger, more complex power—even greater magic than those with just a jewel.” His vision unashamedly found my cleavage again. “Which you very well know, seeing as you used that power to kill a good portion of my army.”
I audibly scoffed. “That’s just stating the obvious.”
Cyprian chuckled. “Some manuscripts go as far as to say that those granted markings are some kind of gods themselves. Though I don’t know precisely what that entails—and clearly you don’t, either—but I’m working on it. With that theory, I decidedto take the chance and keep Hawthorne here when I found him. I mean, what did I have to lose? I knew you would show up if my assumption about your life was correct, and alas, here you are.”
I took half a step for him, close enough to trail a finger down his upper arm. It was surprisingly firm, though the proximity of his body made me want to vomit.
“Well, if I’m as special as you say, surely you will grant me mercy for turning myself over to your reign.” I chewed my bottom lip and batted my eyelashes.
Beaumont scooped my hand in his, dragging me into his side. My body forced against his, he leant down into my ear. “Maeve, darling. I don’t grantanyonemercy. Especially not those who try to kill me.” His whisper turned into a snarl, then he shoved me away.
I steadied my footing like I had never even lost it. “That’s too bad. Because if I recall correctly, you said a life for a life. That's what you told Kohen and Sebastian, right?” I countered, clicking my tongue.
“Correct,” he hissed, his empty eyes glaring at me.
My arms folded. “That sounds a whole lot likemercyif you ask me.”
Beaumont only scowled.
“I’m here, just like you wanted. So let Sebastian go, and I’ll stay here with you. I hope you will allow me to stay as your wife, like you have previously offered, but regardless, I will give myself over to you to save my friend.” I batted my eyes once more. “And if you choose to kill me, then so be it.”
“And why should I believe you?” he spat, crossing his own arms, his ruby shining in the morning sun.
“What other choice do you have? You can either hold me in your dungeon and let me wither away, or you can take advantage of myoffer.” I winked, and it damn near killed me.
“How do I know that you won't attempt to murder me the moment you get a chance?"
“Because someone once told me that you make sacrifices for the people you love,” I answered simply.
“Aw, Maeve. Darling. Love is not always the answer. You should know that, shouldn’t you?”
What the fuck does that mean?
Choosing to ignore his claim, I carried on spewing my own form of imaginary bullshit. “And, I’m completely unarmed.” I lifted the bottom of my jacket, showing him my empty belt and sheaths. “I just want to keep my friends alive and safe, and if the only way to do that is by giving myself to you, then so be it. What you choose to do to me afterwards, is completely up to you. I surrender. Fully and completely, I give myself over to Draemor.” I held my wrists out for him to take, shackle, or break.
“Prove it.”
“Prove what?”
“Prove that I can believe you.” His tone was nothing short of seductive.
I leaned forward, lowering my voice to a tone that was much too close to mybedroomvoice. “Let Sebastian go, then I’ll give you two choices. Number one—call a kingdom wide meeting right here, right now. You can publicly announce our marriage arrangement should you accept it. Or, number two—show me to your bedchambers and I’ll show you this cool trick I can do with my tongue.”
Vomit. Vomit. Vomit.
