Page 52 of Beholden
He observed my face, then lowered his voice. “Then the rumors regarding the slave revolt are true?”
I nodded.
“You were noble to attempt to end the slavery. But as long as gems lie in the depths of the mountains, the queen will enslave the people.”
All the more reason why I needed to kill Grendel tonight and put an end to the queen’s alchemy. If I didn’t save Gabriella’s life, her heart would be the next used in making the jewels grow in the mine pits. I couldn’t fathom having even a piece of her return to the dark passageways. The very idea made me sick to my stomach.
More torches glowed around the tall stone walls, shining down onto the pastureland below. I wasn’t sure if I should be glad for the full lighting that would allow me to see my enemy’s every move or appalled that the gruesome battle must be displayed so spectacularly.
As I studied the grassy area and attempted to gain a familiarity with the setting, my gaze snagged on a stone table at the center. Upon it stood a beautiful woman, her long hair rippling in the breeze along with her emerald gown.
Even from a distance, I had no trouble recognizing Gabriella or the chains linked around each of her feet, binding her to the altar with no way to escape.
Panic surged into my veins. Though I wasn’t surprised by her presence in the pit, I was surprised by the intensity of my reaction. I loathed the prospect of her being anywhere near the berserker. Loathed the queen for her greed and cruelty. And loathed myself for not rescuing her the way I’d intended.
Once Grendel arrived, I could not fail her again.
Chapter
18
Gabriella
I stared outover the gently rolling waves of Wraith Lake, waiting for my first glimpse of Grendel rowing toward the shore.
I tried to still my shaking, especially in my hands. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to plunge my knife into the primary artery in Grendel’s neck. I needed to remain calm and steady, since I’d likely only get one chance to stab him before he sliced into me.
At a distant howl, my skin crawled. Was that Grendel leaving his cave dwelling?
I glanced to the sky overhead to gauge the passing of time, but the cloud cover remained thick, showing neither moon nor stars. However, the torches above had been lit, the flames throwing off flickering shadows that danced in merriment around me, as if the wraiths had come out of the depths of the mountain to celebrate my sacrifice.
My thoughts returned to Vilmar’s stricken face when I’d offered myself as the fairest maiden. He’d wanted so badly to save me from facing Grendel that he’d pledged me his troth even though doing so would bring censure from his family, especially if he was next in line to be king of Scania.
By volunteering to be the chosen one, I’d ruined his well-intentioned plans. But I prayed he understood I couldn’t run away from Grendel and Warwick. If I left and tried to ignore the problems, they’d haunt me the rest of my life. I’d never have peace because I would always regret not confronting the evil when I’d had the opportunity.
Another howl filled the air, this time closer. Grendel. He was on his way.
The people on the cliffs above grew silent. In their elevated positions, they could see farther than I could. But even with their view, they’d take no joy in watching Grendel come ashore and destroy everything and everyone in his path. They would be horribly saddened and sickened by all they witnessed, just as I’d been during the one year the queen had ordered all of her advisors and their families to attend.
I shifted, the manacles around my ankles tight and digging into my skin. The short length of chain holding me in place clinked. I wouldn’t be able to run away from Grendel when he charged toward me. I would hardly be able to move to protect myself.
Of course, the queen defended her use of the chains, claiming that she was keeping Grendel from taking the maiden’s body. Every year after the slaughter, he loaded his boat with the livestock he’d killed until the hull sank low in the water. Some speculated he dried the meat and subsisted on it during the winter months. Others said he ate all the meat in one great feast.
Whatever the case, he’d never been able to carry away the maiden’s body. The queen made sure of it, and I was one of the few who knew the real reason why.
On a high cliff to the north of the arena, the queen stepped down and sat upon one of her jeweled thrones, which had been placed there for the occasion. She settled in and sipped from a goblet, almost as if she were attending a dinner party rather than a massacre.
The growls and grunts became louder, echoing and sending chills down my spine. The madman was drawing nearer. How long before his boat appeared in the torchlight that touched upon the black water just off the shore? Likely only minutes.
I pinched my eyes closed and tried to draw in a deep breath. “This is for you, Father. To avenge your death.” But the words seemed to suck the life from me rather than give me the energy I desired.
“And this is for all the slaves who have ever died or been maimed in the mine pits.” I’d hoped the declaration would give me a surge of strength, but only emptiness remained.
I had to kill or be killed. That was the way to survive this night. Wasn’t it?
A roaring scream resounded off the cliffs and bounced against me, and I couldn’t contain a shudder. The outline of a boat appeared in the dark mist. A moment later, the light of the torches revealed the monster standing in the center, rowing feverishly with a long paddle.
As with the last time I’d seen Grendel, he wore plated armor as well as an enormous bear’s face atop his head with the bear’s fur flowing down his back. The bear’s mouth was open in a vicious snarl, its eyes as black as the midnight hour. Already tall and bulky, with the added height of the bear head, Grendel was a giant. The torchlight made his shadow even longer and more menacing.
