Page 37 of Oath of War
I rose to face him. ‘What the fuck are you doing here?’ I asked, fighting to calm my racing heart. I hadn’t heard him arrive or sensed a powerful mage, and that didn’t bode well for the upcoming trial.
‘I came to deliver your penitent’s robe,’ he said, dropping a package onto the table. ‘A ridiculous tradition, by my lady insists.’
He shifted his attention to Agnes. ‘Take it, child. Make it ready for your mistress. I need some time alone with her.’
Agnes stiffened. ‘No. You’ve already taken Master Alaric. Someone has to look after my lady, and I won’t leave her. You’ll have to kill me first.’
‘Should I grant your wish? I could kill you, then revive your corpse after I finish my conversation,’ he threatened, the corner of his lips tilting up when a pale Agnes turned towards me with a haunted expression.
‘Can he do that?’ she whispered, and I huffed, shaking my head.
‘No,’ I said firmly. ‘He’s just a man who thinks he has power here. However, I’d like you to do as he asked. I’ll be fine, I promise. Just make whatever’s in the package presentable.’
Agnes nodded before casually strolling to the table and taking the package, but as soon as the door closed behind her, I could hear the pounding of her feet as she ran down the stairs.
‘Curious little creature you have there,’ Valaram murmured as he approached me. ‘Curious and loyal.’
I took a step back, then another, but the further I retreated, the sharper his expression grew. Finally, there was nothing but the wall behind me and the looming fae in front of me. Time seemed to stretch as he leaned forward, bracing a hand against the wall beside me.
‘Are you afraid of me, Lady Annika?’ he murmured, his voice a silken trap.
‘Of course I am,’ I replied, lifting my chin. ‘I’ve fought Alaric. It’s given me a healthy respect for dark fae magic.’ My voice remained steady, though I frowned as he slowly wrapped my braid around his other hand.
‘Clever answer,’ he said, his tone laced with intrigue. ‘Would you give me another? Why do I keep seeing you? That scene in the throne room ... I can’t forget it.’
‘How should I know?’ My patience snapped. ‘And I have a question, too; I want to know what the fuck you think you’re doing. Get out of my face before I punch—’
Before I could finish, he dared to press a finger to my lips, silencing me.
My knee shot up and Valaram crumpled, a gasping laugh escaping his lips as he fell back several steps.
‘Justwhatis so funny?’ I was utterly baffled by his behaviour. Why was an elegant and experienced diplomat acting like some horny teenager?
‘You are, Annika,’ he said. ‘Humans don’t live long enough to become interesting, yet you fascinate me like no other.’
I blinked at him, wary as his expression shifted from one of mischief to seriousness once he’d recovered from my assault. ‘I am here to remind you of the trial’s rules. You’re forbidden from carrying weapons into the arena. To seek the Dark Mother’s mercy, you must demonstrate absolute faith—hence the penitent’s robe and annoying rituals. But heed my advice: though you can’tenterwith a weapon, you canleavewith one. What you gain in honest combat is yours to keep. And you’ll need every advantage when you pass through the portal.’
That nugget of information was worth its weight in gold, and I understood why he had insisted on making Agnes leave. If his empress learned he was telling me this, I didn’t think even the Dark Mother’s mercy would save him from that vicious woman.
‘Why are you risking helping me?’ I asked quietly, narrowing my eyes as he took a step closer.
‘Because I believe the Lich King must be destroyed, not appeased. The only way my sister will change her mind is if the goddess blesses those willing to fight him.’ A shadow of doubt crossed his face before he added, ‘And because I want you to win, lara’mei. A woman like you deserves more than two mates, and those chosen by the goddess have the pick of any male in our empire.’
Well, that escalated quickly.
‘You mean I can choose you?’ I asked, rolling my eyes when he inclined his head in agreement. ‘No, thank you. I already haveone dark fae in my bed; I’ve no room for another,’ I said, but Valaram only smiled.
‘I’m a patient and persuasive man. I can wait until you change your mind.’
‘Maybe you can, but I’ll be long dead by then,’ I answered with a shrug, ignoring the twitch of his jaw. ‘Now tell me what other surprises your empress has in store for me.’
‘No surprises, lara’mei,’ he replied. ‘All you have to do is to open the portal. Once you cross over with Alaric, the rest will just happen.’
‘Can Alaric open the portal? Is he coming with me or are you sending me all alone like a lamb to slaughter?’
He shook his head. ‘You are no lamb, and yes, Alaric can, but not without you. He was taken to learn the spell, but the portal requires blood. You must be willing to fight for your mate, to bleed for him,’ he said, pausing for a moment. ‘Once you’re through, you’ll be in another plane with its own rules. If you succeed in entering the Dark Mother’s domain, nothing will be as it seems—even time passes differently.’
‘Wonderful, so I’ll arrive on the divine plane wounded and bleeding?’ I asked, incredulous. ‘And I’m supposed to take Alaric with me, but won’t he be sick from the icta poison? Am I supposed to find a magical herb to heal him or something?’ I bit my lip before asking, ‘Do you really think I’ll encounter her, or is it just another fable?’
