Page 111 of A Dagger in the Ivy

Torbin’s smirk only deepens, a smug satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “It seems our esteemed king has seen through your charade, Celeste. I think this is a lesson you might want to remember for when you become queen, lest you remember who holds the true power.”

“You can’t be serious.” Dante faces his father, the veins in his necks bulging. “Father, there are clearly issues that need to be addressed. I have to insist that the engagement be called off.”

“Enough of this nonsense,” he declares, his tone final. “There will be no postponement of the wedding. Delasurvia’s alliance with Hedera is of the utmost importance, and we will not jeopardize it over unfounded allegations.” The king’s glare burns through me. “Do we have an understanding, Princess?”

I feel the weight of his words like a physical blow, the crushing realization that Dante and I are powerless to stop what is to come.

“Do not forget your place, Celeste,” the king admonishes, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. “You’ve already betrayed my trust once by leaving the castle when I instructed you to stay. It would be wise not to test my patience again. As it happens, I’ve just received word that Mersos has agreed to include Delasurvia in its trade route. There areshipments of food and goods being delivered to your people as we speak. But that all ends on my command if you breach our contract. One more false move on your part, and I will have no choice but to take Delasurvia for my own. You would do well to remember that.”

His words loom like a shadow over the room as the gravity of his threat settles upon us. My stomach sours, and it takes every ounce of willpower I have not to vomit all over the floor. I exchange a glance with Dante, a silent acknowledgment of the perilous situation in which we find ourselves.

“And you,” the king continues, this time addressing Dante, “do not forget the generosity I’ve extended to you by pardoning your foolhardy impulsiveness, by allowing you to live here and be a part of my family. You may have my blood, but that does not exempt you from facing the consequences of disrespecting your king.”

Dante and the king lock gazes. The room is filled with a stunned silence, and the rage that bubbles beneath the surface is almost palpable.

With a final, contemptuous glance at Torbin, Dante turns on his heel and storms out of the room.

CHapter

Forty-One

Torbin’s gaze travels up and down my body, and I hold back a shudder.

“Come, my dear. Let me escort you back to your room.” He doesn’t wait for me to respond. He simply grabs me by the arm and begins walking.

I look back at the king, but I don’t find any compassion there. And something tells me the way Torbin is handling me is something he learned from his father in the first place, so the king will have no objections.

I don’t want Torbin to take me to my room. I want to find Dante. But Torbin’s hold on me is strong, despite my fae powers. When we reach my room, Torbin doesn’t acknowledge Sir Holden, who approaches my door for his watch. He must have been informed that I’d returned to the castle and is taking his place for duty.

I do not know where anyone’s loyalties lie anymore; otherwise, I would plea for Sir Holden to step between Torbin and me. Then again, there’s no telling what Torbin would do to him if he did attempt to help me. I don’t want anything to happen to Sir Holden, so I keep my mouthshut.

My eyes, however, send him a message of caution.

Torbin pushes me into my room, and as he releases my arm, I place a hand over the red marks on my skin.

Torbin’s smug demeanor shifts as soon as the door closes behind them, his eyes narrowing as he approaches me with predatory intent. “Have you learned your lesson, Princess?”

“If you mean the lesson about how I shouldn’t trust you, then yes.”

He steps closer, his gaze boring into mine with unnerving intensity. “You have no power here, Celeste. Running to my father with accusations will do no good. I’m one step ahead of you.”

My chest is filled with fury. I glare back at him, wanting to spit in his face. It takes every ounce of control I have to not unsheathe my dagger and drive it into him.

Torbin paces, his hand resting on the hilt of his sabre. “Under normal circumstances, I can be a patient man. But waiting for you to see reason is maddening.”

“‘Reason’?” I scoff.

“To realize the opportunities that await us if we join forces.” He turns to me, searching my face. There’s a hint of a hopeful smile formed on his lips. It’s as if he genuinely believes I will decide to become an accomplice in the Shadow Tsar’s absurd scheme.

“That’s not fucking going to happen.”

Torbin’s smile falters slightly, replaced by a flicker of annoyance. “You don’t seem to fully understand the situation we’re in, Celeste. The tsar will prevail, and as a faithful follower, I will be granted power in the realms. Everything you aim to accomplish—keeping the trade routes open to Delasurvia, feeding your people, saving them—will all disappear if you hold this stand against me. You’re being given an opportunity to have a seat of honor under his rule, and as my bride, to make all of your intentions come to light.” His tone is turning icy. “With me by your side, you could have everything you’ve ever desired—power, wealth, influence. You could be unstoppable.”

My fists clench at my sides, my resolve hardening. “I want nothingto do with your twisted ambitions. The people of Dulcamar are fleeing because of that tyrant. He is using them as fucking food, feeding them to those monsters you’re creating. I will never support that.”

Torbin’s façade of charm slips further, replaced by naked hostility. “You have no choice. The Shadow Tsar’s reign is inevitable. Those people you’re trying to save are already dead. It is their fate.”

My jaw is set so hard it hurts. “I disagree.”

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