Page 92 of Bound By Darkness

Gia flicked her eyes to me. “Maybe if you cut the attitude, she’d say yes.”

I huffed out a groan. “She won’t say yes because she doesn’t trust me.”

“Have you done anything to earn her trust?”

I slammed the knife through the potato. Pieces slid into the vat. “How am I supposed to gain opportunities if she keeps sending me here?”

“Maybe she likes how you prepare her food.” Gia chuckled as she banged the metal spoon against the pot, releasing morsels into the brown liquid below.

“Gia, be serious.” I angled the knife toward her. “The real reason is because Naexi is?—”

“Naexi is a what?” The blonde poked her head through the opening, her brown eyes piercing in the dim faelight. Her arms crossed over her chest, her sword resting against the curve of her back. No hair or thread fell out of place, adding to the toxic atmosphere she carried with her.

I bit my lip as I shoved potatoes into the pot, my fingers trembling with hot, thrumming rage. I was angry these days—a type of anger that spewed fire to those near me. I knew why too.

I wanted more powder… more of Draven’s handiwork, but there was none to provide me with and my body hated it. Ihatedit. Hated how dependent I’d become on something so trivial as a foreign substance. I’d tried filling the void with ale, sweets, even food, but nothing seemed to lessen the carnal desire licking its lips within me. Most days I could suppress it, but with Naexi here now, I wasn’t sure I could.

“Go ahead. Say it, Moria,” she drawled, her footsteps light as she grabbed one of the potatoes and inspected it.

“Give that back,” I muttered, my knuckles white against the knife as I held back from slicing her perfect hair.

“See here?” Her manicured nails punctured the potato, the spot oozing black. “It’s rotten like you,” she mused, a grin forming. She chucked it into the bin before wiping the black residue onto my apron. She clicked her tongue. “Guess you’re not fit for kitchen duty.”

I slammed the knife down. “Bitch. That’s what I was going to say. Iyanna’sbitch.”

“How dare you–”

“Quiet, both of you!” Gia shoved my chest, sending me back a few steps. For a cook, she was surprisingly strong. “Take five and you”—she flicked her gaze to Naexi—“Out of my kitchen.”

I hesitated as my fingers reached for the knife. Gia snatched it from the cutting board. “Now,” she growled, her hand angling toward the exit.

“Fine.” I tossed the apron onto the workstation before pushing my way past Naexi, her shoulder bumping into mine. As I exited, I threw the flaps back. The cool breeze was pleasant against my flushed skin.

Naexi exited a moment later, her eyes glowering as she took large strides forward. “I don’t understand what your problem is.”

“Myproblem? Don’t you mean your problem with me? You’re causing me so much trouble and preventing me from leaving. I bet you tell Iyanna all kinds of lies about me.” Anger boiled like a kettle as I let it froth over the sides.

Naexi laughed as she picked black from under her nails. “Why would I spend my time talking about you? You’re not worth the air I’d expel to state your name.” She shifted her weight between her legs as her hands crossed her chest. “Be a good girl and stay in the kitchen.”

I shoved her chest, her frame flying back against a crate of boxes. They crumbled beneath her, a cough escaping her painted lips as she brushed splinters from her hair.

“Youbitch!” she roared, scrambling to her feet.

“Be a good girl and leave,” I purred, my blood thrumming. “I don’t have iron chains holding me back anymore. It’s been so long since I’ve used my casting. I’d hate for my power to unleash itself and accidentally tear you in half.”

She spit dark liquid from her mouth. “Try me. You wouldn’t be the first caster I’ve killed.”

“Were any of them daughters of a general? Were any of them trained since birth to fight? To kill ruthlessly?”

Her brows narrowed as she reached back for her sword.

“Prison might have quelled my spirit, but Galar raised it from the dead.” I would not be a coward anymore. I had vowed revenge upon Hywell… upon those responsible for Ellia’s death. For all those made to suffer under his reign.

“You’re pathetic,” Naexi hissed. “What capabilities or stamina do you have to defeat me, a trained warrior who has defeated casters twice your size?”

“Stop your rambling and fight me. Otherwise, I have potatoes to cut.”

Naexi gripped the handle of her blade, ready to draw on its power as the tent flaps opened again.

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