Page 59 of A Bond in Blood

Did he really believe it? That he’d done nothing wrong? That no harm had come to me throughout the last three months?

I rubbed my fingers against my temple. I wasn’t innocent, I knew this. I was acting out of character. A beast in his palace, screeching and demanding freedom. While acting like a wild animal determined to rip his soul from his body.

Iwas also not innocent, but I knew this. He, however, did not appear to be aware enough to realize his crimes as well.

I sighed. I needed the months to grow quicker. I needed the time to fly faster.

My eyes turned to the parchment and ink on the table.

I hadn’t done it yet… Penning my request.

But the rage in my heart—how it pestered me to pick up the quill. To write like I’d never written before.

I stood, hands slick with sweat, seating myself on the creaking chair at the table.

My dearest queen,

I write, begging for your aid. . .

Despite my initial hesitancy, the words moved onto the parchment, the ink like my own work of spells. Magic by a hand lacking that very gift.

By the time I’d finished transcribing my plea, my hands were stained in black liquid with crumpled paper sitting to the side of the table. Each of them a draft of the request I was determined to send out.

When that day came.

The library door slammed open, and I jolted in my seat, my hands shoving the crumpled paper in one pocket and the completed letter in the other.

Footsteps echoed across the expansive room, and I began scribbling on the blank parchment before me. Pretending I was working on my own map.

“Your highness?”

I pulled my head up as Adalie came from around one of the towering bookshelves.

“Yes?” I asked, clearing my throat and wiping my stained hands on my lap.

“Your dress!” she exclaimed, rushing to me.

“Adalie, I’m fine.” I motioned her away. “You called for me?”

“Uncle sent me,” she whispered.

“What does your charming uncle want?” I asked with a wink.

Adalie laughed, covering her lips.

“I want you to pull your ass out of your head and come join the party,” Olen’s rough, beastly voice came from behind the shelves.

I groaned, standing from my seat. “I’d rather retire to bed.”

Olen grinned, his slick dark lips moving along his monstrous face. “I’ll tell his grace.”

“Stop!” I held up my hands. “Why are you determined to bring me irritation?”

Adalie gasped beside me.

“I’ve been told I’m rather amusing.”

“Annoying,” I countered.

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