Page 99 of Oath of Betrayal
‘No one is using force here,’ the chancellor said, placing his hand on Ihrain’s shoulders. He must have used significant pressure because the mage actually winced. ‘My colleague has misinterpreted the king’s words. It was a simple invitation. You are welcome to reject it, though I think it would be unwise not to make a brief visit.’
‘I thought my reputation for unwise decisions was well known.’ I shrugged off the topic and made sure I had the chancellor’s attention. ‘Tell me, does the king not know of the army hiding in a cave under the Lost Ridge, or are the countless demons there all part of His Majesty’s plans?’ I asked, and he had the decency to look away.
‘Erm, well, let’s not dwell on His Majesty’s plans right now. As the lord commander said, it is time to eat and enjoy the company of the bravest warrior in the kingdom.’ I felt Orm’s grip tighten as if he were telling me not to continue with the conversation, and I sighed, putting on the friendliest smile I could manage.
‘Of course. Have you tried the local wines? Our makers freeze the grapes before they press them, which gives them a delightful and very deceptive complexity. The wine can easily trick you into drinking more than you can handle.’ I paused, pointing towards the bottle on the table. ‘I recommend you try it in small quantities. It is not only refreshing, but it also can help with certain … digestive problems.’
‘I see, my lady,’ he said, raising the glass to his lips and barely wetting them. ‘Indeed, certain indulgences have to be given due care and attention.’
Alaric smirked and bent to my ear. ‘You’re playing a dangerous game, Ani. I doubt our friend Ihrain understood the meaning ofyour words. However, you should not be so careless in telling the chancellor we can be persuaded, but not forced,’ he whispered.
‘I know, but Haerne is well aware. He dropped the geas subject quickly and put Ihrain in his place, so I want to see where he stands. If my guess is right, he may not be as loyal to the king as the rest of them.’ I placed a kiss behind his ear, giving the gathered men the impression that we couldn’t keep our hands off each other; not uncommon for conduit mages and their Anchors. ‘I will need to talk to him … in private. Help me make it happen?’
‘In private, yes, but not alone,’ Orm interrupted our conversation. ‘I don’t trust them. You are both staying in my quarters tonight. I burnt your geas, but if the royal mage made a copy before he gave it to me … I don’t want you alone until this circus leaves my fortress.’
He paused briefly before adding, ‘I’m not trying to cage you again, but if they attempt to use the geas with us around, we can overpower you to keep you safe. Between Alaric’s magic and my strength, it should work. Then maybe your bond with Vahin can overcome the compulsion, just like he did with your fear of heights?’
Ari’s eyes widened at Orm’s words, and I felt a shiver run down my spine at the thought of having them both with me tonight, even if all I was planning to do was sleep. Today had stripped me of energy, and all I wanted to do was fall into bed and close my eyes to the world.
After our brief exchange, we focused on the meal as the tense atmosphere at the table grew strained with each passing silent minute. I ate my fill, and with the flames warming my back, I struggled to keep myself awake. When I failed to stifle the latest in a series of yawns, I stood up from the table.
‘My apologies. Fighting the spectrae and my attempt to repair the keystone has left me feeling drained. I intend on headingto bed. If you’ll excuse me?’ I said, and before I knew it, Ihrain rushed towards me, grasping my wrist so hard I hissed.
‘You touched the keystone? What did you do to it?’
I knew I was tired, and that it left me sluggish, but in my defence, I hadn’t expected to be attacked. Orm, though, already had the envoy’s wrist in his grip and twisted it so hard that I heard the bones creak, tearing Ihrain’s hand from my arm without a struggle.
‘If it wasn’t already clear enough, anyone who touches my lady with malicious intent will lose their hands, eyes, and tongue before I grant them the mercy of death.’ Orm’s words were iced fury, his tone quiet and controlled, but what truly chilled my blood was Alaric’s follow-up, his gentle voice filled with deadly intent.
‘And when Lord Ormond has finished with them, I will revive their corpses for the sheer pleasure of watching him do it again. He may damage their bodies, but I will take my revenge on their very soul.’
Ihrain backed away, as if he faced the Lich King himself, cradling his injured arm to his chest. As if on command, Vahin roared, his dark silhouette flying so close to the castle that the crystal windows shook to the beat of his wings.
‘On that note, I shall leave you to chat amongst yourselves. We can talk about our findings and my magic tomorrow, hopefully in a more civilised way,’ I said, turning to leave. Alaric took my arm before I could take a single step.
‘May I accompany you, Domina? Our friend from the capital can find a healer in town if he needs assistance. We wouldn’t want the taint of my foul magic touching his precious skin.’ With a smirk, I let him lead me away.
We walked through the long corridors, lit by more torches than usual. Their existence was obviously the dark fae’s doing, so I let Ari’s concern for my safety ease my tense muscles,entwining our fingers and smiling. ‘You called me your Domina in front of everyone,’ I said, and he smiled, pulling me closer.
‘Because youaremy Domina. To my kin, I’m the untrustworthy son of a traitor. To humans and the light fae, I am darkness incarnate. Most people worry my touch will taint them. Only you—and perhaps Orm—think I’m a man worthy of affection, worthy of fighting for. How could I not call you by the title you deserve?’ Ari finished when we stopped in front of Orm’s chamber.
‘Come. Commander’s orders,’ I insisted when he hesitated, and my gentle teasing made him sigh.
‘So be it.’
I undressed quickly, throwing my clothes on the chair and sliding under the covers. Alaric soon joined me, keeping his trousers on, and I promptly snuggled up to his naked chest. I was half asleep when Orm joined us, sliding into the bed on my other side. I instinctively turned towards him and felt his chest rumble with laughter as I combed my fingers through his body hair. Alaric then tried to leave the bed, so I whimpered in protest, and Orm reached over, placing a hand on Ari’s shoulder.
‘No, Ani needs us both. I want you to stay.’ There was only a slight hesitation in his voice. ‘Please, it would mean a lot to me.’
‘Are you sure?’ Ari asked, but I already felt him settling back down beside me, his body pressed to mine. ‘Yes. We all need the rest. The meeting tomorrow will be brutal, and I want us all to have clear heads to deal with their demands. We need a way to get rid of them without bloodshed. However, if it comes down to it, I’d rather that than let Ani travel to the capital alone,’ Orm whispered over my head.
‘What’s your plan?’
‘I don’t know yet, and I don’t trust the chancellor, despite his compliance. Do you think Ihrain’s been bribed by the Lich King, or is he just a pawn of someone stronger in court?’
Ari’s hand, which had been stroking my back, paused for a moment. ‘I don’t know. Do you want me to arrange an accident so I can talk to his corpse? For how he treated Ani, I have no objection to helping fate find the right ending to his life.’
‘No, that would look too suspicious.’
