Page 118 of Their Blood Rite

‘Sure,’ I sigh, taking his arm. ‘But if I end up dead, I will kill you.’

‘Pixie. If you die, we’ll be right behind you.’

He pulls me close to his side, and we walk on. The guards watch our every damned step.

‘Woah…’ I gasp as we step inside, looking at the size and grandeur of the palace. At all the tapestries. Suits of armour. Marble floors and golden chandeliers. ‘This makes your castle look like a dump.’

‘Rude,’ Shaw laughs. ‘I think this is tasteless and vulgar. Wealth should be understated. Not so shiny your eyes feel like melting if the light catches it.’

We walk on, our footsteps feeling too loud. The doors to the banquet hall are ahead. Several soldiers stop us when we enter the entrance hall, and they speak to Shaw off to the side. He nods and returns to us.

‘Well?’ Dorian asks.

Shaw is sliding off his sword and many daggers.

‘Why are you taking off your weapons?’ I whisper.

He doesn’t answer me. Of course he doesn’t.

He hands them to a guard and then takes my left hand. He places a black metal band around it. When it snaps shut, a glimmer of red shimmers over its surface.

‘What’s this?’ I ask.

‘Magical binding,’ he replies. ‘No witch can enter without one. It makes it impossible for you to access your magic.’ He leans in and plants a kiss on my cheek. ‘Behave.’

‘Yes,my love,’ I reply with a sweet smile.

Shaw then gestures for Archie to follow him, and the pair walk towards two large wooden doors that reach floor to ceiling. The doors part. Inside, hundreds of guests walk, talk and dance. Music spills out, along with the smell of food and wine. They step inside, and the doors close.

Dorian’s aura is thick, like a territorial and temperamental fog that vibrates.

Moments pass. A lot of moments.

‘What do you think they’re doing in there?’ I ask.

He shrugs. ‘Just remember what we spoke about.’

‘I’m scared,’ I admit, fiddling with the band around my wrist.

‘I’d consider you a fool if you weren’t.’

As we stand here, staring unblinkingly at the double doors, I can’t help but wonder if this is all worth it. They will be killed if it’s discovered they are harbouring a blood witch. Why would they risk it? Is it so important for them to have access to their magic that they risk their lives?

The doors open. The music inside has stopped. Two guards look straight at me.

‘Enter,’ one of them demands. He looks at me from beneath his steel helmet. ‘Witch.’

I am so going to end up a windchime on the village gates.

We’ve all gotta die sometime, I suppose. Being what I am, I doubt I will find myself dying peacefully in my sleep.

I pull off my cloak, drop it in Dorian’s hands, straighten my dress and stand tall. I might as well put this dress to good use. Perhaps the king will only see a delicate female body. Not the monster that lies within.

I head towards the doors and stride inside.

The banquet hall is filled with humans. Wealthy and powerful humans. I see jewels on necks. Clothing that cost more than what my father would spend in a year. The air is thick with tobacco smoke. The aroma of wine lies heavy in the air, and the smell of food has my mouth watering.

No one makes a single sound. The crowd before me parts, clearing my path.

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