Page 10 of The Hollow King

He was an accursed beast.

I allowed my eyes to follow the line of his arm. The hair and claws made me close my eyes again. The black claws shone as brightly as his eyes.

Dark and empty.

Hollow.

Every story about the hollow king could be true. I understood the villagers’ fear and why they happily sent a sacrifice to their death once a year.

The chair scraped against the wood and I did not open my eyes again until I felt the chair creak under the beast’s weight.

Borin appeared from the shadows by his side and placed a plate in front of his master. There was no one like Borin—not in his form, but in his devotion.

So how could his master be a complete monster?

“Serve us, Borin.”

I almost gasped at the sound of his voice. It was low and gruff, but filled with impatience and irritation. I suspected that he did not talk often.

“Yes, Master,” Borin purred and eagerly began to raise the covers to the food.

I had so many questions and I could not tell if it was fear or astonishment that held my tongue.

“Eat well, human. It will make my eventual meal far more nourishing.”

Borin slapped a large hunk of meat onto his master’s plate.

So he was fattening me up. I thought he offered me a final meal upon my arrival, but kindness did not touch his soul. His eyes only held contempt when he looked at me. I did not take it personally since his hatred of humans was well documented.

I reached for the food that Borin had placed on my plate. The iron cuffs scraped along the wooden table.

King Varga was already tearing a chunk of meat off the bone he held. His lips and beard were already coated with the juices. I stared at the cutlery for a moment and decided to use my hands.

There was no point in remaining polite and dignified.

After tonight, I had five more days left.

I ate, but did not taste the meal. I barely chewed before swallowing. The passage of time seemed to alter and suddenly my plate was empty.

The question continued to gnaw at me and it grew louder.

I had to know.

“How are you still alive, King Varga?” I asked.

He paused from wiping his mouth and beard. Beneath the thick beard, I noticed the pale blue and gold embroidery around the lower fastening on his tunic.

“Do you think that I would tell a filthy human?” he snarled, tossing the cloth on the table. “Is that why they sent you?”

The fury in his voice made my blood freeze and I took a moment to calm my nerves.

“I owe no fealty to my kind,” I whispered.

Silence came and stretched between us, but I held onto his gaze.

He slowly rose from his chair, his black eyes never leaving mine.

“Bring her to my bedchamber, Borin.”