Page 90 of The Prince's Mage

She recognized the throne room doors the second she saw them. The guards were doing their best to try to drag her along, but she went willingly with her head held high. There were guards already manning the doors, and they opened them as she was walked toward them. As she was forced inside, she could see a sea of commander cloaks as well as other Runai armor and finery of the nobles who weren’t commanders.

She didn’t care the second she spotted golden blond hair and green eyes that would haunt her for the rest of her life. No matter how short that might be.

Gavril was one of the few not in a commander’s cloak. His was still on her shoulders. Her scars were still on display. She could feel everyone looking at her as the guards shoved her forward. Everyone’s but him.

His arms were crossed and he was staring down at the floor, Aimilia stood beside him, her arm wrapped around him and on his shoulder. Her fingers were clenched so tightly her knuckles were stark white.

Marcella understood. Aimilia was his oldest friend. She’d loved him. Of course he would rely on her. But that didn’t make her stomach stop turning at the sight.

Was he so furious with her he couldn’t even stand to look at her? Was he finally realizing just how incompatible their people were despite the new revelation they weren’t really different people at all? That he’d been falling in love with an illusion when he’d had his best friend right there all along?

Or was it shame? Was he afraid if she could see him she’d see through his illusion? That she’d see the damage his parents had done to him for her duplicity? That she’d see the damage she’d caused?

Or maybe he was too cowardly to face her now that his lies had been revealed as well. That he’d been lying when he said he would let her go if she wanted once they had peace. They were married; that was until death. He’d never intended to let her go.

But before she could do more than just look him over, Nikias blocked her sight, sneering down at her. “I knew the second I saw you, that you were filth not fit to breathe in my brother’s presence.”

Marcella looked Nikias over.

The lines marking his vow to Gavril not to harm her were still there. So… What did that mean? And even if they weren’t… what could he do? Kill her?

Again?

She lifted her chin. She was not afraid of him.

He’d already done his worst to her.

“No way to speak. You live only because I commanded it.”

Nikias’ eyes flashed, but his hands stayed at his sides. His lip curled up further. “Only because the demon you were made in the image of ordered you to take me hostage. I owe younothing. Not when all you have done is lie and manipulate a man who has only ever protected you and loved you.”

“If I am liar, what does that make you?” Marcella tilted her head. “Delight in this. Yet, you hope he will not forgive me but still forgive you? This will not make you brothers again. We will both be hated. Miserable company we will be.”

But Nikias was unmoved. “I will take his hatred for his protection from you. Neither of us deserve what little we have gotten from him.”

Nikias looked back over at Gavril and Aimilia. Gavril was still staring at the ground, but Aimilia now had not just her one arm wrapped around his shoulders but her other reached over in front of her to hold him by his other shoulder. Even though he was perfectly still, she still held him like she was keeping him in place. Her eyes, however, were locked on Nikias and Marcella.

He whispered, “If I will suffer this, so will you. And you can pretend to blame me, but we both know you only have yourself to blame.”

“Say same for you.”

Nikias looked back at Marcella and his lips shifted into a sardonic smile. “To be so like you is a great shame to me, but a great compliment to you. I do not like our similarities, Sordes girl. At least you won’t have to live with it for long.”

What did that mean?

She expected the tables, especially if there were Inimicus who believed she had accomplished the impossible. Or if Gavril revealed he believed she’d died for several minutes. She would be the greatest rat they’d ever flayed open. He had no reason anymore to protect her from that fate.

But was she getting execution instead?

On whose orders? Not Nikias; he could not do anything to harm her.

Gavril? The king? Surely not.

Maybe the Inimicus did know mercy.

But why did Nikias speak like he would die too?

Did they know of Hypatia’s army? If they did… death was all but a promise for most of them. Particularly the royals.

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