Page 306 of Kingdoms of Night

Her words hit like a slap. She’s right, Idotake whatever life throws at me. I was given many blessings. I’ve never wanted for clothes or food, and I was tutored in whatever art I showed an interest in by the best masters. Why would I complain, when my life is so much better than that of most in the kingdom—on the continent?

“I mean,” I add softly, “save your strength. There’s no way of getting out of a sealed prison cart.” And there is no denying that, comfortable though it is, that was exactly what we’ve been thrown into. A golden cage. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t get out of this somehow.”

I bite my lip, wanting to convince her. Wanting to convinceme.

Margaux looks at me like she’s never seen me before. The carriage starts to roll forward, and she sits on her bench, exhaling. “You’re right. We can fight later. Whenever they arrive…wherever they’re going. I can’t believe this. Demons? What in the world would demons want with us?”

I don’t reply. Unlike me, she’s probably not read the ancient texts that describe in painstaking detail what demons could want with girls like she and I.

Sacrifices for spells. Offerings to appease the old gods. Brides to bear their monsters, or just toys they can hurt at will.

She doesn’t need to know any of that. I certainly wish I didn’t.

My eyes close.

The curtains are nailed to the window, giving us no idea of where the car is heading, but I feel the air cooling as hours pass. We’re traveling north at high speed. Soon it’ll be too cold for Margaux to even attempt stepping out. It’s cold enough in here.

The carriage travels past towns, never stopping, not even to change the horses. I hear church bells, talking, and in passing, even some music. Unless I’m much mistaken, we’re in Clerion. The dialect is familiar to my ears.

I need to relieve myself, but I daren’t ask for a stop. I’m almost desperate, my bladder full, when the carriage finally comes to a halt.

Though I spent the last few hours willing myself into a sense of equanimity, panic seizes me when the door is flung open.

I don’t know what I expect. A vile horned creature with dark wings and claws, or a beast of fur and shadow. Instead, I’m facing a man. Plain and not uncommon, he could have been any soldier from my father’s army. Except he wears nothing but a pair of pants, despite the fact that it’s snowing.

“Well, look at that.” He grins, leering at us both. I think I might be sick.

“Which one are these?” a smooth, deep, and quiet voice asks.

Another man joins him, this one anything but common. He’s a head taller than the first, with dark hair and gold marks shining on his skin, the writing an old script I can’t read.

I shouldn’t notice his handsomeness, but I do. How could I fail to? I’ve never seen a man such as this, with a jaw so sharp, eyes so bright, and cheekbones like cutting blades. The curve of his ears catches my attention, for they’re pointed delicately at the tip. I focus on the ears. Better that than the mouth, or the bare, sculpted torso.

“I need to pee.” The words tumble out. “Please,” I add.

The man laughs. “Isn’t she precious! So polite. Let me guess. A princess?”

I blush as he extends a hand. I take it, using it to get down from the carriage.

“Take her to the lavatories.”

The soldier waves me forward. I don’t want to follow him. I don’t like the glint in his eyes.

His attention goes to Margaux, now. I see her glare, and she spits at his face.

He laughs again. “Oh, aren’t you just precious.”

She resumes her string of insults, and kicks at him.

Part of me wants to stay and help her, but the soldier grabs my wrist tight enough to bruise and leads me away.

CHAPTERTWO

Aline of tents in the snowy valley passes as the man drags me forward.

I know he’s not taking me to the bathroom. I know he’s taking me somewhere secluded, where he can hurt me as he pleases. Deep in my bones, I can tell.

I want to run. I don’t doubt it’ll do no good. He’s faster and stronger than me.

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