Page 160 of The Crown's Shadow

Graeson pursed his lips, but he kept the question unspoken.

“Gray,” Terin whispered beside him.

When Graeson looked up, he found Domitius holding a blade against a woman’s throat. In Graeson’s haste, he hadn’t even seen the petite blonde handmaiden standing there, but now he couldn’t help but stare at Myra. She stood paralyzed with water filling her eyes.

Graeson shifted, readying to strike. But when Domitius tightened his grip around his sword and nicked the woman’s throat, drawing blood, Graeson froze.

“Ah, not so fast. Move, and she dies,” Domitius threatened, and the color rushed from Myra’s face.

What are you doing?the god yelled.Do not listen to him. She isnothing.

She is an innocent woman,Graeson said back.

An innocent woman?The god laughed.As if that holds any meaning. How many men did you just kill? How many of those soldiers were just following orders?

Graeson’s lip curled. The rising anger spread throughout his body like an icy torrent.

If I kill her, Kalisandre will never forgive me.

The god grew silent at that, for they both knew how much Kalisandre cared about her handmaiden. She was the one constant in Kalisandre’s life. If Graeson killed her, she would be devastated. There would be no turning back after that.

Domitius cocked his head to the side. “And which one would you be? Surely not the one who knocks people unconscious, because if that was the case . . .” He chuckled, waving the blade in the air. “I would already be on the floor, wouldn’t I?” Domitius studied Terin, who held Kalisandre tightly to his chest. Domitius smirked. “No, that would beyou. The brother, right? You must take after your father. A pity, really. He always seemed to be more brawn than brain, in my opinion.”

“Do not talk about my father,” Terin spat.

“Ah, hit a soft spot, did I?” Domitius’ eyes lit with malice. “I suppose I’m standing here still because you’re drained, correct? Weak. All of you.” Disgust twisted his face.

Graeson’s hands fisted into tight balls at his side, his nails biting into his flesh.

“Our little Kalisandre here told meallabout you. The quiet one, the timid one. Your brother . . . now he’s the fighter.” He tilted his head. “Oh, my apologies. Did I sayis? I meantwas.So much for his ability to read minds proving to be of any use.”

“You fucking—” Dani jerked forward, snarling.

“Dani! Don’t.” Graeson said as he pulled Dani back, his arms wrapping around her and locking her in place.

Domitius shook his head as he drew the blade across the woman’s throat, and a mangled sob escaped Myra’s lips. “What is it about women who don’tlisten?Honestly, it’s exhausting.”

Then Myra screamed.

The shriek echoed in the hall, bouncing off the walls as Domitius sliced her arm. Ravenous screeches from the animals in the cells mixed with Myra’s cry.

“You hear that? Now,thatis what happens when you listen. Progress.” Domitius smiled and then jerked Myra against him. “Next time, the blade goes through her heart.”

Domitius squeezed Myra’s face, and she stifled her screams. Her body shook as the terror consumed her. Tears streamed down her face, but she didn’t make another sound.

Enough, the god roared.You let this man command you?

No one commands me,Graeson said.

Then prove it.

“Terin, Dani, get out of here,” Graeson ordered.

“I don’t think so,” Domitius said as he lifted a finger off the hilt and wiggled it in the air.

They all froze.

“What did I say? One move, and she dies,” Domitius snarled, tightening his hold around Myra. He pressed the bloody dagger against the handmaiden’s throat, smearing the blood across her flesh.

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