Page 107 of Her Dark Promise

We both turned to find Soren and Callum standing a few feet away from me. All the color from Soren’s face drained and Callum kept looking between their father and myself. Concern was etched on his face as he took a step in my direction, but Soren’s hand flew to his chest, effectively stopping him.

“Son…what trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?”

Soren didn’t take his eyes off of his father as he commanded Callum, “Get Bastian.” Callum was staring at Soren, clearly irritated that he dared to keep him away from me. But, before he could argue, Soren pushed him back toward the castle and pleaded, “Hurry. Get Bast.”

Whatever look Soren gave him was desperate enough that he looked at me one last time before sprinting off in search of the elder brother.

Soren walked up to me and bent down, but he didn’t dare touch me. “Are you alright? Did he hurt you?”

I narrowed my eyes at Soren as their father scoffed, “You haven’t seen me in months and you don’t even greet me properly? I taught you better.”

Soren gritted his teeth together. “Youdidn’t teach me a damn thing. You sent me away!” He scoffed. “But that isn’t even the fucking point. What are you doing here?”

“Would you believe me if I told you that I was here to see you?” The man smiled.

“I would sooner believe that you grew two heads than the lie that you just spat out of your mouth.”

I looked around, if he was there then there’s a high possibility that he wasn’t alone. My worst fear was coming true. “Are there others?”

He didn’t even glance at me while he continued to stare at his youngest son, the same inquisitive look that Soren always got when trying to figure out a problem. “Yes, I can’t have my people knowing that my sons were bewitched by the beast. How would that make our family look?”

“Of course, the only thing you are worried about is your image.”

“So, you know?” I arched a brow and stood up, not caring to wipe away the dust and grime on me.

“I’ve known for years, dear girl. This land is rich with the history of the witches that used to roam. I always knew there was no beast; we would have seen it after centuries, but I never imagined it could be someone as delicate-looking as you.” He smirked. “When you sent back those butchered men to warn my people of the beast in the forest, you did me a great favor.”

His voice robbed me of all my courage. There was nothing more terrifying than a man who could rally forces against me. Burn me like all the others—like my father. I was a covenless witch.

“You created a fear that would allow me to hold power, real power. Power that perhaps, is even stronger than what grows inside you.”

When I said nothing in response, he grinned widely and said, “Hysteria.”

I blinked slowly, thinking about what hysteria did to my father, all the women and children he burned. All those lives taken out of fear.

“You have no idea of the power inside me,” I threatened.

“Your grace, do not humor him,” Soren warned.

“I stay on this side of the line, I am safe.” He motioned at the barrier.

“Safe? I am sure that a mere female would be no match for someone like yourself.” I tried to taunt him, pull him closer with words.

“I haven’t lived this long without a strong sense of self-preservation and good judgment. And something tells me to not underestimate you.”

I sauntered over to the line, and Soren flinched the closer I got. “How about you come over here and find out?”

I was baiting him. He just needed to walk over that line and I could kill him. Bring justice to Emilia. To Soren. To Bastian. To every child that he sent out into my woods to be slaughtered.

He huffed a laugh and walked up to me until only an invisible line kept us apart. “Why would I do that?” He slid his booted foot forward until it was millimeters from the line and pressed a straight line across it. “You are the beast. I need the beast to live.”

He was arrogant, but incredibly observant.

I wanted to laugh because that was exactly who Bastian and Soren were. One was passionate to a fault and the other too intelligent for his own good.

I heard approaching footsteps and knew that Bastian and Callum had arrived. I didn’t dare take my eyes off the man—biding my time to attack him.

“Father?” Bastian was shocked, but recovered faster than his brother and stood a little straighter. After everything he learned about his father, he still sought his approval.

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