Page 91 of Reaper's Ruin
The casual way he spoke, as if he hadn’t plunged a dagger into Soraya’s chest a week earlier, made my vision tinge red. I wanted to tear him limb from limb, to make him suffer as she had suffered.
Instead, I inclined my head and replied, “I did what was necessary to protect Lady Soraya. I’ll always protect Lady Soraya.”
“A remarkable feat,” he said, studying me with new interest. “I’ve hunted many dangerous beasts in my time, but killing a Voltmauler with bare hands is truly... exceptional.”
“I find I have a particular talent for killing,” I said, meeting his gaze directly. “Some deserving creatures never see death coming until it’s upon them.”
Something flickered across his face—a momentary unease—before his mask of aristocratic indifference returned. He clearly sensed the threat beneath my words, though he couldn’t possibly understand the true meaning.
“Indeed,” he murmured. “A useful talent.”
“I heard it was quite the spectacle,” Lord Marwyn added. “People will be telling the story for years to come.”
Lord Cassius turned his attention to Soraya, and I felt her trembling beneath my palm. His gaze swept over her appreciatively, and I held my breath looking for any recognition in his eyes. But they showed none, instead only flickering with that all too familiar flash of appreciation every man had when they looked at her. At the beautiful Storm Court noblewoman, not the human-fae girl he had murdered.
“How lucky for you to have had such a strong defender in your time of need, Lady Soraya.”
Soraya’s voice remained steady as she replied, “Lord Rhyker is indeed a powerful warrior I am lucky to have at my side as my protector.”
I marveled at her composure—standing face to face with her killer, maintaining this charade. She was stronger than I’d given her credit for.
A servant approached, whispering something in Prince Alaric’s ear.
“Ah, duty calls,” he said apologetically. “I’m needed at the eastern pavilion. Uncle Cassius, Lord Marwyn, would you join me?”
“Of course,” Lord Marwyn said.
Lord Cassius bowed to Soraya. “A pleasure to meet you, Lady Soraya. Perhaps we’ll have the opportunity to speak further during the celebrations.”
“I look forward to it,” she lied perfectly.
With final nods, the three men departed, disappearing into the crowd of nobles.
The moment they were out of sight, Soraya sagged against me, her knees weakening. I guided her to a stone bench partially concealed by flowering bushes where prying eyes couldn’t see her reaction.
“That was him,” she whispered, her voice shaking now that she no longer needed to maintain the façade. “That was definitely him. The man who killed me. Who killed my mother.” Her eyes met mine, filled with a terrible realization. “The man who is possibly... my father.”
My hand found hers, covering it completely. A gesture of comfort I hadn’t planned, hadn’t known I was capable of anymore.
“Do you think he recognized me?” she asked, fear edging her voice.
I shook my head. “He didn’t. As expected, he would never expect to see a dead girl from the Mortal Realm here in Faelora. Not to mention when you died, you were in a strange night gown and now you’re dressed to fit in here. It just wouldn’t snap into his mind to make the connection.”
Her fingers curled around mine, seeking strength. I gave it willingly, squeezing gently.
“Are you alright?” I asked, the gruffness in my voice softening in a way it never did for anyone else.
She drew in a deep breath, squaring her shoulders as she stood. I watched her gather her courage, piece by broken piece, until determination replaced the fear in her eyes.
“I have to be,” she said firmly. “We have a job to do tonight.”
I nodded and rose beside her. The fireworks would start soon. We needed to rejoin the celebration, to maintain our cover until the time was right.
“Just stay close to me,” I told her. “I won’t let him near you again.”
What I didn’t say—what I didn’t need to say—was that someday soon, Lord Cassius would pay for what he had done. And I would be the one to collect that debt, in blood and pain and terror.
But for now, we had a plan to follow. A list to find. Answers to uncover.
