Page 79 of Sworn to Revenge
“Aunt Lora, your guards are threatening me!” I call out to her in a wounded voice, playing the helpless princess card in front of them.
“What? I didn’t threa—”
“Orin!” Aunt Lora’s furious voice cuts off his protest, and he straightens up, pressing his spear to his chest in a show of respect to his queen.
“As long as you don’t receive a direct order from me, you will not prevent any of the princesses from entering the city. Is that clear?” Her voice is laced with a threat that sends a shiver down my spine.
“It’s clear, Queen Lora! I will accept my punishment,” he replies submissively, lowering his gaze to the seabed.
“There’s no need for punishment. But consider this your final warning,” she dismisses him with a wave of her hand and quickly swims toward me. I don’t miss the chance to stick my tongue out at him in victory just before she reaches me.
“Why did you do this?” The color drains from her face as her eyes land on my chest. Good thing she didn’t see the light show from a few moments ago.
“I didn’t do it. The stupid dragon did it. Can we go inside? I have a few things to update you on,” I ask quickly, nodding my head toward the curious guards behind us who are clearly trying to eavesdrop on the conversation. This isn’t the place to discuss it. She immediately understands, nodding quickly, and grabs my arm with an unfamiliar affection that makes me give her a questioning look as we swim straight into her private office.
Pedro
“You can no longer be part of our city, Bay.” Queen Lora’s voice echoes from inside her office, and Alin quickly pulls me against the wall near the entrance—clearly wanting to listen in on the conversation.
“I knew that from the moment the dragon bonded with me,” Bay’s voice shakes in response.Is she crying?
‘What’s happening here?’I mouth silently, catching Alin’s attention as I touch her shoulder. She spins around, putting a finger to her lips to silence me.
“The dragon said this would save you all from the Doomsday Elixir,” Bay continues, her voice trembling.
What is supposed to save us from the Doomsday Elixir?My heart starts pounding as the emptiness in her voice strikes a nerve. Something feels off. Why is she here in the city instead of coming back to us?
“You are Black Blooded now. You no longer belong to the royal bloodline. I have no knowledge of Black Blooded, and we—the royal lines—cannot, under any circumstances, interfere with anything to do with your kind. It’s certain death,” Queen Lora’s voice is distant and cold, as if she’s speaking to one of her servants.
“She’s what?!” Alin can’t contain herself and swims forward, shouting, the shock evident in her voice. I follow closely behind, needing to understand what’s happening as Bay’s terrified eyes lock onto mine.
“What are you doing here?” Bay clears her throat nervously as she asks.
“You’re not changing the subject. You’re Black Blooded? How could you do that, Bay?” Alin scolds her, Bay’s gills open in a deep sigh.
“Alianna!”Queen Lora’s voice cuts through the tension like a knife, halting the storm that was brewing. The small whirlpool that had begun to form behind Bay vanishes as Alin turns her gaze to her mother.
What is going on here?For the first time in my life, I’m speechless. What has Bay done? Black Blooded?
“Mom, you can’t silence me on something like this!” Alin suddenly raises her voice at the queen. “She’s bonded with the Guardian! She’s taken on the role of the Sacred Bride if she’s become Black Blooded!”
“She did what?!” I snap, shock coursing through me as the familiar tingling begins in my hands.
“You bonded with the dragon?” My voice is filled with venom as I turn toward Bay, fury spreading through every part of my body.
“It was the only way to save all of you,” she finally speaks after what feels like an eternity. “The dragon made it clear—the only way to save all of you from the Doomsday Elixir was for me to become Black Blooded. Nothing else would’ve worked.” Her voice trembles, but there’s a firm resolve in her words.
“You can’t know that!” Alin screams now, her voice shaking. I can’t tell if it’s from anger or tears—the water makes it impossible to see clearly. “My mother could’ve found a solution! You didn’t give her enough time!”
“She wouldn’t have found a solution...” Bay whispers, her gaze dropping to the floor as if she’s arguing with someone we can’t see. As she turns toward us, my eyes catch sight of the glowing purple dragon mark on her chest.
That bastard dragon marked her chest?!
“Pedro!” Alin snaps at me as the sound of shattering glass fills the space. I quickly rein in the electric currents coursing through me, just as Alin taught me. My gills open and close slowly as I force myself to think clearly.I glance around and see the damage I caused—few shattered vials on the floor.
“How could you betray us like this?” My voice cracks, betraying the anger and pain twisting inside me. “We trusted you—trusted that you had a plan! Luca tortured himself for your safety. We captured the sacrifices for you. And now you bond with the dragon?”
The betrayal sears hotter than the cursed currents pulsing through my veins. Bay swims toward me, but I back away, my hands trembling.”Don’t touch me right now, Bay. I’m barely holding back enough power to not burn us all alive,” I grit through clenched teeth. Her hurt-filled eyes meetmine, tearing at the edges of my resolve. She doesn’t try again, just turns and swims toward Alin instead.
