Eldric took one giant stride towards him while pointing at me. “You told her?”
“Relax. She’s a trustworthy confidante.”
“Don’t you realise the danger you’ve put her in?”
“She basically figured it out on her own, and I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“Can you stop talking about me as if I’m not here? And just so it’s clear, I support any plan that could free the Ilmans.” I always had.
“The games start soon. We’d better not keep the king waiting,” Eldric grumbled, giving me a weird stare as if he didn’t know what to do with me.
“Did you take care of our men?” Aegir asked.
“They’re packing as we speak.”
“Good.”
“You know the usual routine. Don’t slack off,” Eldric ordered. He reminded me of Mounir’s vicious words. Except Eldric’s were not filled with hate and apprehension. His tone of voice kind of reminded me of the way the Sand Priestesses used to urge us to learn during the teachings.
I lost myself in a deep stretch, smiling as I counted my blessings. I honestly didn’t know what I would do with myself if these two left without me. But this time—this time, I wouldn’t allow someone to leave my life like that. I had asked Semuel if he would take me with him. He told me that where he was going was not safe for me. I did not prod, or beg, or fight. This time, I would try harder, push harder. I would not take no for an answer.
But for now, they both left me. And I didn’t slack off. I did my utmost and finished my routine in excellent time. Training was of course followed by a long ride with my favourite mare. Then I decided that I needed to refine my shooting skills, especially if I were to beat those two. The inexplicable feeling of shootingwith my own bow struck the right chord—a chord that I had not known existed.My ownbow, which I’m sure was the most beautiful bow in all of Lyrantheia.
After a much-needed bath, I plopped myself on the side bench and started assessing the uniforms.Myuniforms. I looked at their flaws, at the reasons that had them sent to the seamstress, and put aside those that were the least damaged. I would bring my sewing kit tomorrow and start mending them.
It was peaceful, quiet, sitting down and watching the sunset next to my beautiful, healthy mare. My bow and my book at my sides.
I made my way back to the castle hours past dusk. My crunching footsteps and my grumbling belly were the only sounds around me. The sudden ache in my stomach reminded me that I had barely eaten anything all day. I was so distracted that I forgot to be hungry.Well, that’s definitely a first.
So before returning to my room, I decided to sneak a small snack from the pantry, like the bad old days. I was replacing the key in its hiding spot when I was startled at the sound of the kitchen door clicking shut. My heart leapt when I heard the bolt slide in its place followed by a snick. Only one person carried keys in this wing.
CHAPTER 31
Iwhirled around.
A gush of terror and dread washed over me like corrosive acid. Mounir stood there. By the door. The door I heard him lock.
“Aegir is expecting me with snacks. Open the door.”
“Liar.Lord Hailinhas just started on his main course. The games dragged on. I was there.”
“Open the door,” I commanded.
Mounir spoke low, each word slithering like a vile snake. “It’s been a while since I reminded you of your place here. Clever, I must admit. Fucking the lord to keep me away from you. You’ve been fucking him since day one, haven’t you? That’s why he insisted on keeping you. My, how you managed to poison his mind.”
“Open. The. Door.Now.”
“It’s been a while indeed,” he murmured, taking a few slow steps towards me. “Let me remind you that you do not give anyone any orders here, especially not to me.”
He kept closing in, so I jolted and slid myself along the worktop. I hurried for the door. I reached for it. Too late. Mounir lunged at me. He grabbed me by both of my shoulders and shoved me against the wall. Too. Fucking. Close!
He brought his face close to my neck and rasped, “But don’t worry, I won’t deprive you of your whoring habits. That’s all you are to him. A whore.”
“He’ll make you pay for this,” I spit.
His grip tightened. “Just like he did when I made your face bleed? I recall he seemed ratherpeachy.” Oh, I should have let him.
“Let go of me!” My voice was raw with rage but he only pinned me harder, using his heavy body as weight. He put a little distance between us—just enough to whip my left cheek with the back of his hand. Then he went to do the same with the other, but I managed to lift my arm and block his blow. His eyes rounded in surprise. But he was too quick. He snatched my wrists.
