Page 83 of Oath of Betrayal
Time froze as the echoes of that roar died down. The silence was so deafening one could hear people’s heartbeats stutter as everyone turned to look. At the centre of all the attention stood Orm, his armour still covered in blood, eyes glowing yellow like some terrifying god of war. His face was filled with such primal rage that even the veterans who knew him took a step back, lowering their heads, afraid to meet his gaze.
I hadn’t noticed the commander’s arrival, maybe because I’d been intent on beating up the arsehole whose ring had cut me above my eyebrow. Now, though, I was pinned to Orm’s side, not quite touching the ground. He barely looked at me, but his tight hold left me in no doubt. I was going nowhere.
I wiped the blood flowing into my eye and leaned back to look at him. ‘No need to roar, Lord Commander. We were just playing. Besides, my side was winning.’ I gestured towards the veterans who were still standing as motionless as statues.
That ended up being a mistake because it allowed Orm to notice the cut and smeared blood on my face. ‘Who the fuck made her bleed? Speak now, or you’ll all hang.’ The menace in his voice doubtlessly made it clear that he would carry out the threat. The soldier on the floor paled and attempted to hide his hand behind his back, but Orm noticed and his growl sent a shiver down my spine.
‘You!’ he roared. It was frightening how fast Orm moved. I was still stumbling to my feet after he released me, but as I looked up, my assailant was dangling from the commander’s grip on his neck, legs kicking ineffectually as Ormond’s bulging forearm lifted him higher.Oh fuck, is he still worried about the assassin?
I couldn’t let Orm kill someone for brawling—especially since I had caused it—but I supposed his reaction made sense. He was terrified someone would attack me, and now that someone had, he had lost it. I stepped forward. ‘Put him down.’ Orm didn’treact, fixated on the bloodshot eyes of the dying recruit. ‘He is not the attacker you seek.Put. Him. Down.’
‘Ormond! Lord Commander, restrain yourself!’ I reached up to cup his face in my hands and forced him to look at me. His eyes were so full of rage and wildfire, I hardly recognised the stoic leader, but as my thumb stroked his cheek, his hand slowly lowered, and he threw his barely breathing victim to his comrades.
‘You’re alright? He didn’t …? Fuck, I thought …’ He pressed his forehead to mine as the yellow glint slowly disappeared from his gaze. When he straightened, I shook my head. ‘No, it is just a minor cut. I’m fine. I promise I’m alright.’
‘Take him,’ he said to the veterans before turning towards the rest of the newcomers. ‘As for the rest of you—since you’ve behaved like animals, you will not be permitted in the central city or the castle. You will stay in the barracks, and tomorrow, you will go on patrol at the Rift.’
The soldiers’ faces went pale. The rift patrol was a death sentence for the untrained and was mainly carried out by the dragon riders as they had the best chance of survival. Orm was effectively sentencing these rookies to almost certain death just because of a little brawl in a tavern.
‘Orm, no. We need men to fight, and even if these children are arseholes, you can still train them.’
‘Then they will have the chance to prove themselves tomorrow. Let the fates decide. If they return, they will have earned their training. It was you they attacked this time, but what if it had been someone not as adept at protecting themselves? Few have your strength and courage, and none have your magic. That is the law here. Attacking a woman means death.’
‘No. I started this fight. Blame it on me.’ The realisation I may have condemned these people to death hit me.
‘No, my lady. They were rude to you … and handsy with the other women. It was bound to happen. The commander is right. That’s our way, and they are being shown more mercy than I would’ve given them,’ Ian said, and I looked at him before turning my head towards the veterans, but they all nodded in agreement.
‘Come to the quartermaster tomorrow. He’ll pay you for the damages,’ Orm said to Ian, and the barkeep nodded, careful not to meet Orm’s eyes. I wanted to protest again, but as the commander looked down at me, the words died in my throat. ‘Are you well enough to walk?’ When I nodded, he took my hand. ‘We’re leaving now,’ he said, pulling me after him with such force that I had no choice but to follow.
We emerged from the tavern only to pause, surrounded by a large crowd. I should’ve known the brawl would attract attention, but I hadn’t expected Orm to appear—and certainly hadn’t expected to be dragged away in front of an audience.
He looked at the gathered people, and his jaw muscles ticked in annoyance. ‘Do you need me to find you something to do? Because I will be more than happy to oblige,’ he said, and despite a few sniggers from the gathered crowd, they dispersed quickly.
I moved closer, standing on tiptoes while grabbing his leather belt, both to stabilise myself and to get his attention. ‘We need to talk, and you shouldn’t scare the locals,’ I whispered, but Orm cursed in response.
‘If they’re stupid enough to listen to my private conversations, they deserve everything that happens to them. I need Alaric to see to this cut first. Gods, I thought they had attacked you! And I wasn’t even here,’ he said, and I bit my lip as he continued. ‘You knew about the threat. How could you let anyone come close enough to injure you? What if the blade was poisoned?’
‘It was aring, and I was just having a little fun.’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Annika, your definition of fun baffles me. Now, let’s go see Ari.’
‘It’s just a cut. Orm, please.’ His face softened for a moment, and he pulled me into his arms, pressing my face to his chest and wrapping his cloak around me to protect me from the gust of wind blowing dust around.
‘Fine, I’ll take you somewhere no one can disturb us,’ he conceded, reaching for me. I was blinded by the flying debris and so surprised at being picked up that I didn’t realise he was carrying me towards Vahin, who—against standard practice—had landed in the middle of the street.
‘You can’t—’ I started, but he stopped me. ‘We can go to Ari or talk in private, but I’m not standing here just staring at the blood on your face. Your decision, Nivale: choose how you wish to proceed.’
‘In private,’ I whispered, feeling him hold me tighter as he climbed onto the dragon’s back.
No sooner had we taken off than we’d landed.
I was still trying to get my bearings when I caught sight of our destination: high in the mountains, the wide, flat plateau took my breath away. Granite walls crowded in on three sides, broken up by the misty cascade of an enchanting waterfall dancing over rocks to fill a small pool before making its way more slowly to a second, calmer pool.
A thin layer of soil held a mossy carpet of mountain grass and wildflowers, and the mist from the mystical cascade turned the rays of the sun into a magical display of colour. The air was bitter and challenging to breathe, but after I concentrated and took several deep, calming breaths, it became easier.
As soon as we dismounted, Vahin took to the air, leaving us stranded. He caught a passing updraft and disappeared into the clouds. I didn’t mind. For a moment, I forgot about the world, drinking in the beauty before me.
‘Annika …’ Orm’s voice was raw as he spoke, grasping myshoulders to turn me around. ‘Did I scare you?’ he asked, then gently took my chin, tilting my head to see the cut. ‘I should kill the bastard that made you bleed.’ I couldn’t help but smile.
