Page 39 of A Bond of Ice and Glass
Nymala’s voice echoes softly. “You really did love this place, didn’t you?”
I don’t answer her. Of course I did. It was my home. Before I was sent away to live with Erax.
We reach a tight bend, where ancient roots curl from the ceiling. No, not roots. Thorns. They pulse and glow with dark magic. Nymala bends to inspect them. They recoil from her hand when she tries to touch one. Her breath catches.
“Dark ether,” she whispers. There’s pain in her voice that surprises me. “It’s poisoning the land. This is all your fault!”
I glare at her—at the way her long black hair sways against her back as she shakes her head.
“How is this my fault?”
Gods above, it sounds ridiculous even to me.
Because all of thisismy fault. I should’ve kept a tighter leash on my brother, and I didn’t. I’m the one who fucked up.
“You and your brother. Two power-drunk, emotionally repressed little tyrants,” she spits out. Right on the nail. “You caused this, Noble. As if your people weren’t suffering enough.”
I grit my teeth. She’s right, but it fucking hurts to hear the truth.
“We never meant for this to happen. We were trying to protect them. Protect Maelena.”
“Bylyingto her?” she scoffs. “By caging her?”
My vision blurs again. I close my eyes and squeeze the bridge of my nose.
“Enough.”
But Nymala’s voice only rises.
“By drugging her memory?” she cries. “Tell me how that was protecting her? Tell me!”
Something inside me snaps.
I grab Nymala by the arms and slam her against the wall, my breath heaving.
“Shut. Up.”
Our faces come inches apart. Her lips open, and my grip tightens. Her eyes flick to my mouth. She doesn’t flinch. She just smiles at me. For just one beat, I forget how much I hate her guts and that we’re about to be crushed to death. I just want to wipe that smug look off her face…
With my fuckingmouth!
Ciagid, help me… What spell has this little witch cast on me?
The tunnel shudders and stone rains from the ceiling, jolting me back into reality. I let her go. She doesn’t move. Neither do I. I stare into her eyes, torn between shoving her away and kissing her.
“Still think I should shut up?” she asks breathlessly.
I step back, my jaw clenched. “Keep moving.”
She runs a hand down her front, brushing off the dust. Her eyes never leave mine. I’ve always felt she’s got the kind of eyes that haunt you.
“Enjoy your last power trip,” she says quietly, calmly. “Because once we’re out of here, you’ll never command me again.”
I scoff at her. When she turns and resumes walking again, I follow behind. This witch has been more of a headache than Lochlan, but at least she was the only one speaking sense. I should’ve listened to her.
“You know, some days, I don’t know why I let you live,” I growl under my breath.
“I do,” she says with a smirk over her shoulder. “To save your sorry ass. Obviously.”
