Page 30 of The Nightmare Queen

“Clearly an oversight.” I mutter before gasping at the warmth and pulse of Marjorie’s healing magic working on the bite. It draws on the venom, stinging the whole way as it’s pulled out.

The passageway door in my wall busts open, Axel tripping out of it, “EVIE WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!” His face is wide with panic, Ezra and Armond filing in behind him. Before I can answer they all turn taking notice of the prince - who’s still staring at me. “Scratch that.” Axel shakes his head, “what the hell aretheydoing here?” He asks gesturing towards the two Vellarans.

“And why is he staring at you?” Ezra snarls. I roll my eyes,because that’s the most important part about this situation.

I grimace instead of answering right away as Marjorie pulls out the last of the venom. My head tilts a little to look at the old woman. “Almost done there Marj? Time’s not on our side here.”

“Impatient girl.” She mumbles while wrapping up my shoulder. I move to stand when she holds up her finger. “One more thing.”

I groan."Marjorieeee.” THWACK!Ow.

Her gaze falls to the prince and I, “You.” She says, jabbing a gnarled finger at him. “Your kingdom does not deserve the help she offered. Bringher to me broken, battered, or bruised again and I will remove that pretty head of yours from your shoulders.”

“Understood.” He replies, but he doesn’t look at her, he keeps his eyes locked in on me.

Marjorie swats at him next, “I wasn’t finished. The way you will assure me of this, is through a blood seal. Which you both will perform.Now.” She starts rummaging through her kit.

All eyes whip to the mage, Axel and Mousy’s mouths dropping open. “Absolutely not.” They all say in unison.

"Hold out your wrists." She commands, ignoring their protests.

Rorin's companion steps forward, voice low as he speaks to the prince. “Ror- you’re not seriously going to make a blood seal with her are you?” He looks to me desperately, “you’re her queen. You can stop this.”

He’s right, I could, but there is a glint in the prince’s eyes. One that reads more as a challenge, and a tug inside me dares me to back down. When neither of us answer him, Marjorie takes out a small knife. There is a brief sting as she begins carving the runes of the seal into our skin. She mumbles ancient words that cause the rivulets of blood to rise. The droplets merge and hover over our wrists in the same shape as the mark she carved. Our gaze doesn’t break, with his hazel eyes burning into mine. A feverish feeling spreads through me as the ritual finishes followed by a sharp sting as the seal snaps into place.

“I’d suggest adhering to the agreement you signed. The blood seal is a magic that does not take kindly to broken promises.” She warns before turning her attention to my three men, next.

“We don’t have to perform a blood seal too do we?” Axel’s asks, his expression wary.

She ignores him. “It isyour singularduty to protecther.She made an - albeit foolish - agreement to this Vellaran but—” shepoints a finger at each one, “you made an agreement to keep her safe. Over your own lives. Is that understood?” They all give her a small nod.

She takes one last long look at me, “we lose you, you damn us all. If they begin to fall then you let them.”

Noted.

Ezra’s furious with me. Everyone left the room after Marjorie except for him. He chose to stay and sulk in the corner, not speaking a word to me from room to hall.

“Whatever it is you’re assuming, I’ll bet you’re wrong.” I state, trying to throw a bone.

“You’re being ridiculous.” I add.

He scoffs, stopping in his tracks. “I’m being ridiculous?! I thought you were going tobed. You failed to mention that you were going to expel the energy right away!”

“When else was I going to do it? I don’t owe you any explanations.” I argue.

His eyes flare with anger. “NO! See you do! I am yourHEAD OF GUARD, EVEERA.It is my job to know where you are so I can protect you. I could have gonewith you!But you let him instead? And your explanation for the blood seal? You had nothing to say when she suggested that?”

Unbelievable. “I didn’t let him and it wasn’t like I had a choice with Marjorie.”

“YOU DID LET HIM AND YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE! YOU ARE QUEEN, YOU ALWAYS HAVE A FUCKING CHOICE. Didyou even bother telling himnoto accompanying you?!” He’s yelling now, making the soldiers passing us duck and avert their gazes.

“I said no originally, but he is very persistent.” The anger sloughing off of him has my magic twitchy.

Ezra’s fists clench while he takes a step closer to me. “The big deal?! Do you forget—” My power juts from my fingertips materializing into claws that rest against the pale skin underneath his chin.

“Do not finish that sentence, Ezra.” I threaten, the claws pressing in. Defiance flares to life in his stare. “I forgetnothing.You are out of line.” He jerks out of my hold, stalking away from me the minute Axel comes into view.

“OOOO claws were out, what’d he do?” He asks, while his arm falls clumsily around my shoulders.

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