Page 162 of Bloodguard

This isn’t a good time to bring up the fact that he and Aisling screw any time they can.

“Are you trying to make me look like a fool? Or simply incompetent, like Vitor did?”

He shoves his face in mine, and I bow my spine backward, knocking over more goblets. I try to snag one to use as a weapon but come up empty-handed.

Can I kill him unarmed? I don’t know, but if me dying means Leith and my remaining family stay safe, I’m ready to start swinging.

But just how did he know—

I instinctively clutch my neck, where Leith kissed his way down, tearing seams along my neckline to reach my breasts. Oh, stars.

Soro’s glare heats my skin worse than Aurora’s fire ever could. “Yes…the only way to hurt you is to hurt someone else more.”

My eyes widen farther as I watch him walk away. The careful manner with which he shuts my door is more threatening than the loudest slam. I stumble into my bedchamber, beating back a whimper when Tibeta jumps on my shoulder, chirping her distress when she sees mine.

“It’s all right, my little bean,” I say. “It’s all right.”

But it’s not.

The owl Tibeta befriended hoots as she swoops past my window. I throw open the glass pane and stretch out my hand, hooting so Tibeta repeats me.

The owl returns and lands on my arm. She permits me to stroke her. Perhaps I do have a bit of Grandmother’s charms. Carefully, I pass my knuckles over the silky fullness of her feathers to give my racing heart a chance to slow. What is Soro going to do to Leith?

And what must I do to keep him safe?

Tibeta tugs at my hair, her chitters sad and afraid.

“You can’t stay with me,” I tell her, keeping my voice gentle. “As much as I want you to, it will only be a matter of time before Soro forces his way into my bed and you’re caught.”

It’s why I mixed the nightshade with the belladom in the first place. If I can knock him out, I can possibly stay safe.

Tibeta chitters, not understanding everything but understanding my goodbye. “You must go. You must stay safe. Find Giselle. She and Leith will give you a good home, and you’ll get to be with Papa.”

Her little ears flop as she nods, recognizing the names of her family at least. In Tibeta’s large eyes, I catch my reflection. I hate the woman I see. No matter what I must endure, I will become the queen Father asked of me, and I will fight to protect the ones I love.

The owl hops from my arm and onto the sill. I kiss Tibeta’s fuzzy head one last time before lowering her onto the owl’s back.

I jump at the harsh knock on the door. Tut barges in, larger than life, spurring the owl to fly. My vision blurs as I watch her carry away my last bit of home. Tibeta soars into the night, her paws clinging tight to the feathers along the owl’s back.

“Were you petting a chicken?” Tut asks.

I frown. “No. It was an owl.”

He shrugs. “They both taste the same.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

Steam billows through his nostrils. “Soro is ranting about you being with that gladiator tonight.” Like Soro, he stares at the neckline of my dress, causing me to pull it upward. “You were foolish to leave your cape behind,” he says.

I motion around. “Obviously I wouldn’t have had I noticed the condition of my dress.”

I slowly ease away from the window, fixating on Tut when I realize exactly what I can do to keep Leith safe. In a few quick steps, I’m in front of the vanity, pulling out the most expensive rings Soro gave me.

“What are you doing?” Tut asks me.

I turn, my voice flat but no less determined. “Getting ready. As soon as we can manage, I need you to take me to the phoenix.”

chapter 57

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