Page 20 of A Bond in Blood

My feet planted against the prison surface while I held his stare. I was ready to challenge him. To claim my royal privilege to be treated with even a sliver of respect. The only flaw in my plan was the beast I glared at didn’t seem to care.

No, his eyes were lit with amusement at my determination.

His paws moved, pulling my gaze down then his voice echoed across the space. Somehow quiet but commanding all at the same time.

“Upstairs, princess.”

My body went rigid and reluctantly, I followed, refusing to allow him to drag me again. I picked up my feet, forcing my body to move. The limp was evident in my walk, but I continued forward, holding back my groans of pain.

“Something wrong?” he asked, walking ahead of me.

“You injured me last night,” I replied roughly.

He was silent while he continued guiding the way. Behind him, I was studying the halls. Taking note of the length of the prison and the stairway we now climbed up. My hands were stiff at my sides as my mind made a map of the exit the further he walked.

When we’d reached the top of the stairs with sweat running down my back from the physical strain, Olen finally spoke once more.

“You almost killed my king.” His body twisted as his black eyes met mine. “You’re lucky I wasn’t given permission to end your life for the stupidity.”

I let out an irritated sigh. “I know the fae aren’t well known for logic, preferring to live lives of amusement and frolicking, but do you really not understandwhyI would try to end his life?”

My hands twitched at my side as my mind reminded me I should also be trying to end the life of the beast before me.

Olen’s body moved and an odd noise rumbled from inside of him. A noise, I quickly realized, must have been a deep laugh.

“Thefaedo enjoy being carefree as they wish. I understand, princess. It doesn’t mean I agree.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I could petition Oberon. I could write to one of his wives. Mab or perhaps Titania. Titania has always shown me preference when I visit. She’s also well known for sympathizing with helpless women.”

I could barely register my surprise when I was suddenly thrown across the hall. Olen slammed my body against the opposite wall, his snout inches from my face with his canines bared.

“Do not utter those names in this place,” he growled.

His claws dug into my forearms and my lips trembled. I couldn’t form the words to reply.

“Do you understand?” his deep voice vibrated from his throat.

Slowly, I nodded my head while a tear ran down my cheek. Not able to process my fear, disgust quickly replaced it when a long black tongue licked my cheek.

“You’re an animal!” I yelled, staring into his black eyes.

“Of course I am,” he replied.

His claws released my arm, leaving a trail of blood in their wake. “Go,” he demanded, hitting my legs with his snout.

I held my wound, forcing my tears to dry while I followed him down the hall. Back to the bedroom. Unsure of what a day with the king’s right hand would entail.

I bit back the bile in my throat when Olen’s jaw wrapped around the creature, tearing its head from its shoulder.

Black blood covered the grass we stood upon, and my stomach weakened.

Olen had forced me to dress quickly. He nearly shoved me down the stairs the moment I’d stepped out from the dressing screen, telling me of his duties and his responsibility to enact on behalf of the king.

He hadn’t taken the time to explain that meant ripping heads from shoulders.

From what I could gather, the still twitching creature before me had made a deal with Ulrich. But they had failed to uphold their end of the bargain. So, as Olen had explained, there were two choices. One—submit fealty to the king and do his bidding for the rest of their days. Or two—die.

This creature chose death.

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