Page 82 of A Sword of Ice
Theheartyprince.
Thewrongprince.
37
The King’s Bitch
Iona fell into Julius’ arms, slumping against the hardness of his chest. His fingers engulfed hers, helping her to tap a familiar pattern against her thighs. But not even that could help the fear that was still lodged in her throat.
Images of shadows and death faded from her vision as Valerio walked away from her. He took his magic with him, but the feelings it had provoked remained the same.
“Fuck,” Julius cursed from behind her. As if he knew tracing wouldn’t work this time.
Iona took in a breath, but it was hard to catch air into her lungs. Beneath her panic, she felt the stirring of her magic and two bonds. Julius’ and her familiar’s worry mingled in with her senses, overwhelming her entirely.
Then Shula was in front of her, the fire Fae’s eyes compassionate.
“His magic is a bitch,” she whispered, her dark brows furrowing into lines of anger. “He did it to me once, too.”
Her hand reached out to touch Iona’s clammy skin on her cheek. The female’s palm was warm and reassuring, and the bonds of Mana shoved away her recoiling senses and made her feel stronger. A zap passed between the two Fae, like a current of electricity.
Iona wasn’t sure she would ever get used to the sensation, but it made her feel better just the same. The panic ebbed, her breathing returned to normal, even if her heart beat a wild rhythm in her chest.
She let loose a breath. “Thanks.”
Shula pulled her hand away. The touch had been sisterly almost, with a bit of tentative affection behind it, though she looked embarrassed as she dropped her hand to her side.
“He’s a dick,” Shula said. “But…” She chewed on her bottom lip. “I think he’s right. The camps are brutal.” Her golden-brown eyes sparkled as if fire lived within her depths. “We would be outnumbered. It wouldn’t be safe. Best to hide, you know?” She gave Iona a tight-lipped smile which wasn’t returned, then she walked away.
They all did, leaving Iona and Julius alone.
Julius turned her in his arms, his big hand cupping her cheek much like Shula had. “Are you okay?” A crater formed between his brows; he was frowning so hard.
“I’m fine.” A lie. She didn’t feel fine. Physically, perhaps she was alright. Mentally, she could be better. But her emotions were working on overtime, pounding through her with angry fists.
She needed Prince Valerio to agree to go to the iron camps and free the Fae. She couldn’t explain it. Mana was urging her to do it, telling her it was the right choice. Theonlychoice.
Yes, she knew how dangerous of an endeavor it was, but everything was dangerous these days in Illyk. Being alive was just as perilous as storming an iron camp. At least they could do some good while they were living illegally in Illyk just by breathing.
At least they could save others.
“Talk to me,” Julius insisted.
Iona’s hands reached up to grab his bulging biceps. “How can we not save them?” she asked quietly.
His thumb stroked against the apples of her cheeks, the touch tender. “I know it’s hard, but our prince has given us orders.”
She swallowed the rising lump in her throat. She thought for sure he would have agreed with her and didn’t know what to do knowing he didn’t. She needed someone on her side. At least one person.
Her hands fell and she stepped away from him. For a moment he looked panicked due to the distance she placed between them. She couldn’t find it in her to reassure him. She knew inherently that they would not always agree on things, that opinions were as different as every corner of the world. Iona didn’t begrudge him for not taking her side, but she did want him to understand.
“Let me ask you this, mate,” she said ferociously. His eyes flared at the word, at the reminder of what they now were to one another. As if he could ever forget. Maybe she’d done it to remind him they were now a team. However alone they were both used to being, he could not shove aside her words like they meant nothing. “What would you do if it was me locked in that place?”
Green eyes and nostrils flared. He seemed to grow bigger, stand taller. “I would punch the camp to the fucking ground.”
She smiled a bit sadly at him. It was just the answer she’d been expecting. “Yet you would not extend that courtesy to others.”
He opened his mouth, and she knew he was going to make excuses, defend his prince, but she didn’t need to hear that right now.
