Page 168 of A Bond in Blood

Olen’s head appeared at my gasps and his eyes went right to the evidence of my deception.

“Letters for your father?” he asked with a grin.

I scrambled to my feet and Ulrich’s head appeared behind Olen’s. My stomach dropped. I was dead. I would be murdered right where I stood.

Ulrich’s eyes went to the papers, grasping one before I could stop him. Olen’s gaze turned menacing while I watched his eyes scan the words Ulrich was intently reading.

“My dearest queen, I write, begging for your aid...”Ulrich's eyes met mine and his chest moved with his slowed breaths. “Your court’s most terrified monster has me locked within his walls.”

“Brenna, you fucking fool,” Olen sighed.

“Ulrich,” I whispered.

Ulrich stepped into the closet, shoving Olen aside while his hands gripped the letter, and he continued reading aloud.

“He has branded me, my queen. Scarring my body and soul. . .”His words stopped and he pulled his gaze from my words. “Interesting,” he hissed.

“Ulrich,” I said again.

His shadows came toward me, slamming me into the trunk behind me. He approached, his body a towering omen. His eyes, determined to claim my soul.

“What is this?” he demanded.

My tears built in my eyes while I tried to force myself to reply. To explain myself.

“Brenna,” his voice was a warning, “what is this?”

“Nothing,” I responded. “Nothing, I was about to get rid of them. I was going to burn them!”

His hand gripped my neck and his eyes went dark.

“You have betrayed me, princess,” he whispered.

I shook my head. “I have not! I have not sent one single letter. I wrote them when I was tortured in my mind. When I needed to release the hate in my heart. Ulrich, I promise I was going to destroy them!”

He held the parchment before my face mockingly.

“Tell me what your request was going to be.”

I blinked. “What?”

My eyes went to Olen who pulled his gaze away from mine.

“Ulrich,” I sobbed. “Please.”

“What was your request going to be in just a few months’ time, Brenna? Was it to send these? I see no dates on this one. Were you hoping Titania would come to your aid? To enact war on your behalf?”

“Ulrich,” I croaked, struggling against his tightening hold.

“Brenna, tell me what your request was going to be!” he shouted.

He dropped me while his voice echoed around us and I fell to the ground, gasping and gripping my throat.

“Fine!” I shouted back. “Fine! Yes! Iwasgoing to beg for her aid. I was going to request her to come to your shores and help me. But my desire for that ended weeks ago.”

He was at my level in an instant, his eyes barreling into mine. “When?” he demanded.

“When Oberon sent that ship,” I cried. “I swear it, Ulrich. I swear on my soul that I was going to destroy these.”

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