Page 121 of Their Blood Rite

‘To have your woman in your enemy’s bed and for her to reveal how utterly inadequate you are must be beyond shameful for you. Like we expect anything different from a witch.’

His laugh encourages the same from his court.

‘Do you still petition to have her returned to you?’ the king continues. ‘Why bother? She clearly wants nothing to do with you.’

‘I do wish her returned, My King.’ My body stiffens. ‘She is mine by right. I was promised her. And when a vow such as this is made within our Coven, it is unbreakable.’

I don’t know what fills me more. Hate or dread.

I turn, feeling the steel of the guard's blade move with me.

‘Cole…’ I breathe, the name vile on my tongue.

He's dressed in all his finery. The best an Earth Witch could own, which marks him as poor compared to the others here. He refuses to look in my direction, choosing to keep his focus on the king. His hands are cupped behind him, and his head is held high. But his face… there’s no scar. I boiled his blood. He clearly survived, but he should be marked. Last I saw, his face was half melted. It’s impossible that he's so pristine.

‘It seems pretty breakable to me,’ the king snorts. ‘Considering she’s shacked up with my general.’

Shaw’s looking so smug as he faces Cole. Cole’s eye twitches when he meets his gaze.

‘He stole her,’ Cole snarls.

‘Did the witch killer steal you, Earth Witch?’ asks the king, looking at me.

‘No, My King,’ I reply.

The king raises his brow to Cole.

‘We have laws, My King. Laws that are in place for both our safety and yours. If this is permitted, other women may leave. We must stay together to avoid any breakaway factions. Constant and diligent monitoring of every witch is key toavoid any dangerous activity being encouraged from outside elements.’

‘Do you think I am at risk of encouraging a witch to misbehave?’ Shaw jeers. ‘Shall I direct you to the gates of the villages which I personally decorated? Remind you of what I do to witches that do not do as instructed by their superiors?’

‘The General has a point,’ the queen says, her voice as sharp and pointed as her entire demeanour. ‘I do not believe he would allow an unruly witch to live.’ She stands, her thin and arrow-straight frame towering high. ‘But I am curious to know why he has chosen a creature he proclaims to loathe. General. Why have you declared yourself to love a witch?’

Ronan’s lip hitches. ‘You haven’t seen her naked,’ he replies, looking at me and offering a wink.

Archie’s snort carries clear over the crowd. ‘Sorry,’ he mutters, trying to stop himself from laughing any further. ‘This is serious. Blades to throats. Imminent death a huge possibility. I’ll be quiet.’ He clears his throat. ‘Carry on.’

The king stares at him, utterly dumbfounded. Archie’s got a sword pressed to his throat, the same as us.

And he doesn’t give a shit.

‘Anyway…’ the king continues. ‘She does not want you, Cole.’ The king waves his hand. ‘And I doubt she will make it past the winter without getting her neck snapped by her lover after he tires of her. My general is well equipped at keeping witches in hand. He can keep her.’

He turns and gestures for the music to continue. Shaw is released, the guard lowers his sword as Shaw straightens his jacket. The blade is lowered from my throat, and I'm far less elegant in recomposing myself.

‘My king!’ Cole demands, stepping forward.

The king stops still and goes visibly rigid in annoyance. He turns.

‘She must be returned.’ Cole points angrily at me. ‘Our laws demand it. Our magic. And you vowed to honour our laws. We have sacred rites and traditions that must be upheld. To deny them is a slight to bothourcoven and the magics that maintainyourlands. If she is permitted to leave, then others will try, too. If they leave, I can not monitor them.’

‘Your inability to control your coven is an issue that lies with you, Cole,’ Shaw replies with a shrug. ‘There is no question on my abilities to command obedience from those I own and command. The witch is under my command. She has asked to be mine. Begged, in fact. And I have obliged. If you require assistance in controlling your coven, I will assist you.’ He flashes his fangs, running his tongue along them in a dark promise. ‘Gladly.’

Prick. He’s making me sound desperate.

‘You stole her, and you know it.’

‘She came to me.’

---