Page 21 of A Bond in Blood

Shocking me.

Olen had repeated the options twice, his voice booming across the small town we’d traveled to. The spectators in the courtyard had kept their heads bowed low while the now dead creature had stood defiantly. Staring into Olen’s eyes, calling the Unseelie King acoward. Claiming,he couldcome and get me himself.

It brought shocked gasps from everyone in attendance.

So, when Olen gave the option for the second time, and the creature sneereddeath, he hadn’t hesitated pulling its head from its shoulders.

My eyes continued to stare at the body on the ground, with the head rolling off to the side. I’d never seen this much depravity in my life. First Leif’s rotted head. Then the fae openly engagingin carnal lust. Now this, a twitching body and head rolling out in the open with no one moving to stop it.

The thoughts ran through my body and finally, my stomach failed me.

I threw my hands over my mouth and ran to the nearest corner, bending at the waist.

The light of the sun shone above me while I embarrassed myself once again. Emptying my stomach in the open, repainting myself as a woman unable to hold in her disgust instead of the calm royal I should have been seen as.

My body stopped heaving and I stood, staring up at the sky. I leaned against the building I’d run behind, wiping my mouth when Olen’s voice filled the courtyard.

“Find her!” he bellowed.

Shaking my head, I shoved from the wall and stepped out from my hidden spot. “No need. I haven’t run off.”

He whipped around, black blood dripping from his jaw, his teeth coated in the gore. His snarl turned to an unsettling smile.

“The king would be displeased if you had.”

I rolled my eyes, wrapping my arms around myself. “Are you done with your duties?”

“Was that not entertaining?” he asked, cocking his monstrous head.

“Disgusting is how I would describe what that was,” I replied.

His laugh boomed out across the courtyard and the remaining fae scattered in response.

“You’ve been here for a day, princess. There’s still so much more to see.”

I glanced around the small town, taking in the little buildings, realizing I’d run behind what appeared to be an inn. It was quaint and well taken care of. Only, I couldn’t fathom why they all lived under the rule of such a gruesome king.

“What does Ulrich do for them?” I asked, turning back to Olen.

His fur rippled down his back before his low voice replied, “He does his duty.”

I let out an annoyed breath. “You didn’t answer my question.”

Olen’s body turned in my direction, his menacing canines still dripping with blood. “The king’s duty is not of your concern. You are here to complete the deal your ancestor made. You are not here to ask questions.”

Olen walked away and I stared off in the distance, where Ulrich’s city and palace lay barely within my eye’s sight.

The people in the courtyard began to return, along with their muttering, pointing at me. The spectacle in the middle of the town. Standing beside the corpse of a creature they’d likely viewed as a friend.

With a scoff, I picked up my feet and walked as fast as my injured body could take me. When I caught up to Olen, I sneered at him.

“I’m sure Ulrich would be displeased to know you are leaving me alone.”

Olen’s shoulders shifted slightly while his paws hit the ground below.

“Trust me, princess. He’d find you in an instant if you tried to run.”

The words were a warning but also thrilling in some way and I glanced back at the town, wondering if I should have tried. Maybe get the monster to come for me. Force him to meet me where I could attempt to end his life alone, with no prying eyes around.

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