Page 146 of Deadly Maiden

It’s an obvious message.

Obey, or else.And I’m expected to believe he won’t do it after I obey.

I am not that stupid.

“Is she awake enough?” the king asks his queen.

She only shakes her head.

Rorsyd is mostly naked, bare-chested, presumably so he cannot do anything tricky.

I’ve studied all of this with my head hanging low, drool spilling from the corner of my mouth. Best to look cowed, though the drool is unplanned.

I am somewhat in trouble. Just a bit.

Then again, what about Andacc? Why are the king and queen here if the rebellion is happening? That seems to bode poorly for the attack on Tensorga.

One problem at a time. Figure out how not to die, first, then panic.

I’m feeling too cheerful, really, but the opposite, being depressed, does not appeal.

I raise my head and center on King Madlin, do a little more swaying, for effect. “Are we having a party?”

Rorsyd grimaces then changes to a grin. He winks at me. His throat shifts as he swallows. The chain must be pressing on him. I smile back, mostly using my eyes.

“Good. You’re awake.” The king stays where he is. I suppose he aims to keep his distance from me, as if he fears what I might do.

Yet I am manacled, half-drugged from what the mage did to me, weary, weaponless—almost. And my allies are not in the best condition either.

My one advantage? I do have a plan.

“What do you want?” As if I don’t know, but I need time to recover.

“Let me spell it out. I want you to raise my daughter Jennae from her death sleep. She has been kept perfectly preserved since the day she died, a day after the Battle of Orish.”

“Twenty years ago?” I put on my skeptical face.

“Yes, but she has not changed since that day.”

I shrug.

“We know…” He indicates the queen. “That it is within the scope of necromancy powers. Do this, and we will free you and your soulmate, Rorsyd. Yes, we know of your relationship.”

Kroll rocks his head, smiling, but with dread menace in those darkened eyes.Hewon’t let us be free, or not unless we are dead. And neither will Madlin.

Dead and free is not that attractive.

“I am not a fool. If I do this, what guarantee do I have that we will be allowed to leave Tensorga and the Kingdom of Zardrake alive?”

“My word as king.” He straightens, impales me with a piercing glare, thinking that will convince me. His history speaks otherwise.

“I cannot do anything with iron on my wrists and in my flesh.”

“Easily corrected.” He slowly paces forward. “The queen is a bloodwielder. Attack me, and you will both suffer.”

Queen Ruelle makes a fancy show with her hands and conjures strands of blood that spin and spin.

They knit together to become a swirling ball of blood magik. As they churn, the red glutinous strands reflect their light off the tomb’s walls and the skin and clothing of every occupant. If pure evil exists, I sense it in her. Kroll, her, and the king make for a frightening trio.

---