Page 36 of Oath of War
‘I’m afraid, too. I can feel the icta poison coursing through my body, and I wish there was something I could say or do to stop you from going through the trial.’ I looked at him sharply. ‘But there’s nothing that would change your mind. I know you, Domina. I know that tomorrow, you will do whatever it takes to win. I don’t have faith in the Dark Mother’s mercy, but I have faith inyou.’
His smile carried a hint of sadness as he bent to kiss the tip of my nose, and the tenderness in his eyes made my breath catch.
‘We can’t control what tomorrow brings,’ he said, his voice steady, ‘but let me hold you tonight. Rest will make it easier to face our fears.’
I nodded, shifting to make space for him on the bed. The silken sheets rustled as he slid in behind me, wrapping me in his warmth.
‘Sleep, my love,’ he murmured. ‘Whether or not I survive tomorrow, holding you brings me peace.’
I had no answer to that. Instead, I let his heartbeat lull me to sleep.
‘My lady, wake up! Please wake up! The fae came to take Master Alaric, and swords have been drawn.’
‘What?!’ I bolted upright, looking at the bed beside me only to find it empty. After Alaric cuddled me, he had stroked my back until I’d fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep, and I was still confused after being unceremoniously woken up.
Agnes threw a simple blouse and kirtle over my head, ignoring my curses as she helped me fight the unruly garment. A moment later, I rushed down the stairs towards the raised voices and unmistakable crackle of magic.
‘You are not taking me until my domina is aware of the situation.’ Alaric’s angry tone could be heard on the stairway. ‘I can’t disappear on her.’
‘What the fuck is going on?’ I shouted, charging down, ready to rip some heads off.
I pushed my way to stand between Alaric and the soldiers with their swords drawn. My magic flared to life, and the fool who had almost stabbed me in the stomach was about to learn that pissing off a mage before she’d had her breakfast was a bad idea.
‘Annika, no!’ Alaric caught my arm, but my anger needed an outlet.
‘Sheath your toothpick or I’ll melt it down and feed it to you,’ I growled at the soldier, grasping the sword and sending a wave offire up the blade. The guard paled under his helmet but held the warping metal as he stumbled back.
‘I’m under orders from my empress,’ he stammered. ‘The accused must be delivered to the mages to prepare for the trial.’
‘And what preparation would that be?’ I snapped, though dread coiled in my stomach.
‘I’m not privy to the details, my lady,’ he said, his voice faltering. ‘But the empress foresaw your reluctance and instructed me to remind you that icta poison can only be neutralised once you reach the goddess.’
The stench of burnt flesh permeated the space before I realised my anger had infused my spell with too much power. I released the blade and turned towards Ari, finally allowing him to pull me to his side.
‘I have to go, Domina. I just didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.’
‘She should have warned me about this instead of sending a useless letter,’ I said, swallowing hard.
I hadn’t expected this. I thought we would go to the arena together, and even if Alaric wouldn’t be fighting, at least he’d be there with me. Without Orm or Vahin, I needed him to keep me grounded, but the empress had apparently decided to strip me of any support.
‘No, this isn’t goodbye. Just ... wait for me and don’t let them hurt you, will you?’ I said, fighting back tears.
Alaric embraced me, his lips brushing over my forehead in a chaste kiss. Looking up into his eyes, I knew what he thought our chances were.
‘Always, my Domina,’ he whispered. ‘If death comes to take my soul, she will have to fight a very determined necromancer.’
He was cracking a joke for my sake. I nodded and forced a smile, pretending to play the game as he turned and left me standing on the stairs while the guards escorted him away.
I still had three more hours to go, three more hours to stew in my thoughts.
‘There, now you look every bit the veteran battle mage. Not a strand will dare slip loose,’ Anges said, tying off the intricate dragon braid she’d woven. ‘You could even hide a stiletto blade in here, disguised as a hairpin,’ she mused, looking at the many daggers Alaric had left behind that morning.
‘Your Ladyship isn’t allowed to take any weapons,’ a voice drawled from the doorway behind us, causing Agnes to jump and yelp.
I threw a bolt of energy towards the voice, only to see it stall near Valaram’s outstretched hand. The dark fae ambassador simply stood there, studying my impromptu creation with unbridled curiosity.
‘How interesting; you plucked the aether out of thin air. Impressive trick, my dear. You will certainly need it,’ he commented.
