Page 73 of Her Blood Revenge

I feel it, but at a distance.

Whatever his plan, I hope he fills me in soon.

‘Welcome, General,’ the guard greets. ‘As ever, I must ask you to relinquish your weapons before entering the palace.’

The guys methodically remove their many blades and hand them to the guards.

Shaw then offers me his arm. Archie stands to his left. Dorian to my right. And we walk inside.Beneath the glove, my familiar wraps herself around my wrist, placing her body between my skin and the cuff.

I gasp, looking at Shaw, who smiles comfortably.

I have access to my magic. She’s blocking the cuff! And how the hell she has managed to fit, I have no idea. But she has.

My wonderful familiar.

We’re led to the main hall, just as we were before.

Countless members of the court have gathered, and they part as we walk through.

It’s strange. Last time, they stared at us. Many watched the guys with intrigue and even lust. Then, they watched me with distaste and revulsion. Now, everyone averts their gaze. Eyes remain on the floor or anxiously looking at the guards.

My legs feel several inches shorter. I stumble as if I’ve forgotten how to bloody walk.

Shaw grips me tighter, steadying me.

‘I have you. We all do,’ he whispers.

I watch him as we walk, keeping my focus on him and nothing more. Even though I want to throttle him most of the time, I feel grounded when I’m with him. Stronger. Braver. Probably through sheer spite, if nothing else.

We reach the king’s dais.

But the throne of the king and queen are empty.

Instead, the prince stands front and centre, his crown a little crooked on his head and a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.

Shaw offers a slight bow.

‘My Prince. Your father has summoned us.’

‘Indeed,’ he replies. ‘My father will be here shortly. My mother is unwell, and he is tending to her.’

Strange. To summon us in such haste if his wife is sick.

The Prince’s eyes narrow on me.

‘So. You are still alive, witch.’

‘I am indeed.’

‘I was certain The General would have killed you by now. Such a brute, notorious for slaughtering your kind. And you. So…’ He scrunches up his face in clear disgust. ‘Small.’

‘Perhaps if your father had waited until the snow fell as we agreed, I would be dead before we wed.’ I smile back.

Shaw lets out a heavy and frustrated exhale as he side-glances me.

‘We’ve been here less than a minute. Can you try and be polite?’ he whispers.

I shrug and continue to smile.

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