Page 28 of Moon Raven Rising
“Dax!”I cry out. Tears I’ve promised myself not to shed come rushing in, already on an emotional parapet, a well of burning moisture as pain and sorrow consume me.
Tears flow freely down my cheeks, and my hands come up to cover my mouth and the sob that tries to escape. I felt him—ourbond. Looking down at my arm and the banded marks there. I let my fingers trail over them, and my resolve builds up again like an invisible armor onlyheplaces on me.
I cannot be afraid to face the monster that’s holding me. He needs to be afraid of the monster that’s within me. He needs to fear the power of the royal blood that courses through my veins and the power I was handed when my bloodline stopped on me.
Pulling steel into my spine, I wipe away the tears and the evidence of the weakness with the back of my hand. I feel the cold metal of my wedding band on my finger, and my eyes train on the red dress. I will play this part he wants me to play. I will give him what he wants, because regardless of what he thinks—I know that I’m stronger than he believes. He thinks he can break me, but he’s wrong. There is nothing that will deter me from the path that I’ve chosen to carve out for myself. Nothing will keep me from the greatness I’m destined for. The moment he made me choose to leave Dax on the cliffside, I chose to fight.
The ridiculous heels that were left with the dress click with each step, echoing through the dining chamber as I enter. The guards manning the door shut it behind me with a heavy clunk, andthe sound of it makes me flinch, but I swallow any fear and straighten my back as my eyes land on the man I despise.
“Ahhh, there is my girl!” Soren exclaims, holding his arms wide as though he wishes to wrap me in them. I stop short of him reaching me, and his gaze darkens. “Are we going to behave ourselves tonight, my little bird?” His nickname for me causes any small appetite I may have had to leave immediately, and I remember I’d rather eat dirt than be near this man. He doesn’t let me get away from his slimy touch, though. His hand grips my bare upper arm as he guides me to the table where Osiris sits stoically in his usual seat near the head of the long table.
“I think it’s time we discuss what is to happen next in yourremaking, little bird.” My teeth grind as he slowly walks around me, pulls out the chair, and gestures for me to sit in front of Osiris. The Prince of Dragons sits straighter in his seat, but doesn’t look up at me from where his goblet of mulled wine is being poured. Instead, he waits until it’s full and takes a long drink, draining the liquid before snapping at one of the servers to refill it.
I sit in the chair as Soren pushes it in and roll my eyes as he smiles, walking to his seat. Crossing his hands on the table, he blinks slowly as his tongue skates along his upper teeth and his smile widens wickedly. Goose flesh prickles my skin at the eeriness of his gaze. Soren stays silently staring at me as more drinks are served. Just waiting for me to step out of line; for my petulance to begin, but I’m not giving in to the desire tonight. My magic is urging me to be silent. If there is one thing I know to fully follow now more than ever, it’s the instinct about my magic and its guidance.
“So, are we playing the silent game tonight, my pet?” Soren asks, packing the end of a pipe and then using his fire magic to light the end. Smoke billows from his mouth in white, swirling puffs. Filling the room with the pungent scent of burned Millardleaves. It makes me wonder what he uses the medicinal herbs for… Sucking in a long pull from the pipe, he closes his eyes as he allows it to fill his lungs before blowing it out in my face. I squeeze my eyes shut and clamp down on my mouth as I stop breathing in all altogether. He just laughs.
“Are we going to get on with it? I have things I need to tend to.” Osiris says with a bored tone, pushing his once again empty goblet away from him. A table hand comes running to grab it before his hand even leaves the stem. With a bow, the boy refills the glass. Osiris folds his large arms over his equally large chest as he ignores him completely and stares blankly at Soren.
Confusion gnaws at me as I continue to watch the two. My eyes jump to the doors to the dining room when they snap open, and two of Soren’s guards come in, stopping short of actually approaching us.
“Your guest has arrived, sire.” The one with the pot belly finally says. He steps to the side and announces the next man who walks in, his aura demanding the room.
“King of Valeska, Phyrrohs Drach.” I choke as I drink from the single glass of wine they allow me. Sputtering as he continues into the room as though I have not reacted at all. Osiris is now stiff as a tree.
“Ahhh, my guest. You arrive earlier than expected! Please forgive me for not welcoming you myself.” Soren chides, but I see the vein pulsing in his neck, clearly angry at the intrusion. “I’m glad you are here, though. Perhaps we can get on with things earlier than planned.”
“Soren,” the king’s voice thunders with power, speaking just one word, and his eyes land on me. Under the table, Osiris nudges me with his foot. I clear my throat and lift my chin. I don’t know what Osiris means for me to do with the nudge, but I will not cower to a king entering the room when I am a queen in my own right. Perhaps that was a reminder of just that. He doesnot turn his gaze away from me while he continues to speak to Soren.
“The weather made for a rather unpleasant flight here. My dragon and the crew from sea need rest and recuperation before a wedding commences. The bride will have more time to prepare.”
“What?” I question quietly, and Osiris’ voice echoes my own, but much louder and more demanding.
“Wedding?” Osiris stands, his chair protesting loudly at the sudden movement. It startles me, but Soren doesn’t react. He merely tilts his head to the side like a predator surveying him. His father’s eyes are blue like his but as cold as ice as he stares at his son.
“Yes. You are well aware of the plan. I promised Valeska a powerful queen. When you become king, it shall have one in Raelle.” Soren says the words through puffs on the malodorous dried herbs. Osiris’ jaw ticks as he shifts his eyes quickly from Soren to me, then back to his father. His face blotting out with red as his temper seems to rise. He clamps his mouth tight as he glowers at the other men in the room.
“A discussion for another time,” Phyrrohs says with a wave of his hand. As though the discussion of my future, his son’s future, and a wedding that cannot take place for so many reasons is like dismissing the weather because it’s raining. “I’d like to retire, Soren. We can discuss this more formally once my soldiers and I have had due rest.”
“Of course!” Soren claps, and a handmaiden comes from behind one of the tapestries on the walls. She bows low at the men in the room, and my eyes flick back to the tapestry. To the system of hidden passages that must be within the castle walls…
“Please take the king to his chamber and ensure his men are well taken care of,” Soren barks, snapping my attention back to him.
“Yes, sire.” She curtsies once more before escorting the king from the room. He doesn’t so much as spare his son another look. As the door closes, Osiris crosses his arms, his gaze narrowed on Soren.
“Does my father know of the poison you have been subjecting my queen to?” Osiris growls, and Soren stands suddenly. Slamming his pipe to the table, embers fall to the wood, and smoke continues to swirl around him as he narrows his eyes on the much larger Prince of Dragons. Osiris doesn’t so much as blink at his display.
“The girlis mine until the deal is done and I urge you to remember your place while you are here in Aldramani. You are speaking to the ruler of the kingdom after all. Show some damn respect. We are allies!” Soren comes over to me, ripping me up by my arm.
“Fucking asshole, let go of me!” I scream, pulling my arm back just as hard. His hand comes out fast and hard. The back of it splits my lip and causes the metallic tang of blood to fill my mouth. I fall to my knees, the slit in my dress splitting to my hip.
“What did I tell you? Your mouth will be used for other purposes if you can’t mind your words. You look good on your knees, little bird. Perhaps we can see what that mouth can do.” He grips my cheeks hard, splitting my mouth until it opens. He shoves his fingers between my teeth, all the way to the back of my throat, so hard that I gag. “Ah, the sound you make is so pretty. Isn’t she pretty on her knees, Osiris?” The giant in the room is silent for a moment before he makes an unintelligible grunt and storms from where he’s been rooted. Leaving me alone with the monster to do with me what he will. Soren laughs maniacally, pulling his fingers from my mouth and bringing them to his own.
“You are a sick bastard,” I growl before I rip my face from his bruising grip.
“Oh, little bird. You have no idea,” he says as he takes his fingers from his mouth, examining them with a tilt of his head.
“Why did you miss breakfast again?” A voice calls out. I startle, but don’t turn to face him. The deep rumble of Osiris’ voice at my back sends chills down my spine, pulling me from the painful memories I think of every morning. This time of day is the only time I have time to myself with the sun. Usually, they lock me away before the moon rises every day—afraid of my magic, no doubt. When the sun is up, they have me training and testing my magic…among other things, but the last three days have been different.
