Page 48 of A Bond of Ice and Glass
“You don’t have to. He doesn’t trust me either. But he trusts you, and he knew you’d stab me before you’d ever believe I wason your side.” His tone lowers, becoming desperate. “Just come with me. I won’t hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you.”
I still don’t buy it, and I grab another of Erax’s knives.
“I would’ve believed that a few weeks ago before you betrayed me. Now I’d rather slit your throat than fall for your tricks again!”
Noble sighs in frustration. “It’s either me or Loch. Who would you rather go with?”
Lochlan. Is that who Erax is fighting?
“Where is he?” I ask, my throat drying.
“Controlling the wraiths. They’re riding dragons now.” Noble gestures to the broken window.Wraith dragon riders?“See for yourself.”
I don’t want to believe him. But outside, I can hear the clashing of steel. Then, through a crack in the wall next to me, I catch a glimpse of Erax already fighting outside, already bleeding. A dozen riders on dragonback descend over him like a black tide, their mounts wreathed in smoky shadows, eyes glowing with coals, lit with darkether. Erax holds them back with a wall of fire.
I’m not leaving him. Not again.
This time, I’ll fight beside him.
I point my blade at Noble. “Move. Downstairs. I’ll follow.”
“Being held at knife point wasn’t part of the plan?—”
“I said move. I don’t trust you, Noble, and as far as I’m concerned… you’re dead to me.”
“You don’t mean that,” he says with a smile.
But I can hear the pain in his voice. The slight hesitation behind his words.
“Right now, I hate your guts for what you did to me.” I jut my chin towards the door. “Move.”
“You should probably dress first. Quickly, if you please.”
I look down at my white tunic. He’s right. I can’t fight wearing just this.
Keeping my knife still pointed at Noble, I grab my vest from the floor, slip it over my shoulders, and tie the corset as best as I can. Then I slip my feet into my boots, not once taking my eyes off him. He just watches me with that amused look on his face.
Gods, I could gut him.
Before we leave, I grab Erax’s belt with all his weapons inside it and slide it diagonally over my chest. This will have to do. I nudge him forward.
“Why did you even come here?” I hiss at him.
“To warn you. Erax was downstairs getting you breakfast. Seems the king is more romantic than I thought—hey, hey. That hurts. My back is my best feature.”
I press the tip of the dagger against his back. “Shut up. Just keep walking.”
He walks silently for a moment, then he says, “He really does care about you, huh?”
It doesn’t feel like a question. More like a fact.
Yes, Erax cares about me. He’s the most unhinged, messed-up person I know, but he cares about me more than anyone. More than Noble and Loch combined.
Loch…
“Why is Loch doing this?” I ask in a whisper. “Why do you want to hurt me so much?”
It’s Loch’s betrayal that hurts me the most. I didn’t just see him as my friend. I saw him as family. But after what he did to me—after what he’s doing now—I don’t think I can ever forgive him.
