Page 60 of Oath of War
‘What?’
‘I wasn’t gentle and ...’ Uncertainty crept into my voice. ‘I will get you a healer. Besides, once Ani hears about this, you can bet gold against apples, she’ll insist on a repeat performance, so we better have you properly looked after.’
Alaric’s laugh was so free and unrestrained that it made my heart soar. He turned to face me, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
‘Anytime, anyplace,’ he said, his grin wide. ‘And no, I don’t need a healer. I’m ready to give our woman a show she’ll never forget.’
For a moment, his happiness made me forget about the horrors of Roan Fortress, and I found myself lost in it. But even now, I knew it wouldn’t last, at least not for me.
‘One day,’ I murmured, my voice softening, ‘once it’s all over, we’ll return to Varta. You’re nearly immortal, Vahin definitely is, and Ani wields the power of creation. But I’m just a human, Alaric. My time is limited. I don’t want to waste a second of it—not a single minute without you all. So we’ll live the time I have left enjoying every single day as if it’s the last.’ I tightened my arms around him, as if holding him closer could slow the ticking of the clock.
Alaric’s expression softened, his silver skin luminous in the faint light. ‘I can promise you this, Ormond,’ he said with calmcertainty. ‘We’ll cross the Veil together. Without you and Ani, there is no life for me.’
A shiver coursed through me at the conviction in his voice, goosebumps prickling my skin. Before I could respond, his lips quirked into a smirk. ‘Or,’ he added lightly, ‘I could just use necromancy to bring you back. I’m sure you’d make a very handsome lich.’
I smacked his thigh. ‘Sleep pilchard. Maybe a good night’s rest will strip you of this morose humour.’
‘You started it,’ he muttered, his voice full of mock petulance.
I didn’t have the energy to argue. The exhaustion of the day finally caught up to me, dragging my eyelids down like lead. I wrapped myself around the man who meant more to me than I could ever express, my thoughts drifting to the woman who held the other half of my heart.
Orm had finally fallen asleep. He lay beside me, his slow, steady breathing brushing against the hair covering my sensitive ear. I felt the guilt for placing Annika in danger slowly wash away, admitting to myself that when Valaram had captured me in the palace, I’d felt relieved, knowing my suffering was ending on the edge of his blade.
But Ani had refused to allow it. She had defied not only an empress but a goddess—for me. If I thought I couldn’t love her more, she had proven me wrong.Who would do that? And for the cursed fae who had schemed to deliver her to the Lich King.
I huffed softly, still unable to believe my luck. Here I was, an Anchor for my domina and blood-bonded to the only man who had ever offered me friendship in a world that had abandoned me. Annika could have chosen anyone. The Dark Mother’s mercy had granted her freedom to select any dark fae in the empire—even bloody Valaram, who practically wagged his proverbial tail to get into her bed. But she choseme, freeing mein ways I hadn’t known I needed.
My fingers absently traced the powerless marks on my chest. I would spend the rest of my life striving to repay the goddess’ trust, to protect Ani and give her all the love she deserved. Still, I was old enough to know that happiness was fleeting, but I was determined to guard mine with everything I had, starting with Ihrain.
Carefully, I slipped from Orm’s embrace. He muttered something unintelligible, his hand reaching out instinctively, and I quickly tucked a pillow into his grasp. The room was dark, but my fae eyes needed no light to navigate. I dressed swiftly, pulling on a dark shirt and trousers—practical for my plans, particularly given the blood that would be spilt. Selecting two daggers from the table, I checked their edges before tucking them into my belt.
Protecting my family was my priority. But they didn’t need to know the lengths I’d go to for them. Ihrain’s death was necessary—not just for retribution, but to extract the secrets he carried. His suffering wouldn’t be senseless. I intended to use it to contact my sister, Rowena, deep within the Lich King’s court. I needed to know Cahyon’s strategy, and I needed to give her hope—hope that we could finally help her escape.
The mansion was silent as I moved through its empty corridors. A few scattered guards nodded as I passed, none questioning my purpose. I stopped at the door next to the wine cellar, the innocuous entrance hiding the cell where Ihrain lay swaddled in the lanara-soaked drapes from the carriage. The space was underground but dry and surprisingly spacious. It was a comfortable place for a prisoner, and I almost regretted having to spoil it with the blood of its current resident.
I stepped inside, my gaze settling on the bundle of fabric on the floor. With a sharp kick, Ihrain jolted awake, his eyes darting toward me, wide with panic.
‘Ihrain,’ I said, my voice dripping with mock cordiality. ‘How nice to see you. I trust your accommodations have been adequate?’
He spat in my direction, jerking violently against his restraints. I tutted softly, shaking my head. ‘Now, now, don’t be like that, old friend. I only want to have a little chat before you leave us to meet the Dark Mother.’
‘You’ll get nothing from me,’ he sneered, his voice laced with venom. ‘You think you’ll achieve anything from this? You’re going to die, and that whore of yours will die, too.’
I smiled coldly as I used the tip of a dagger to slice through the rope binding him. Ihrain scrambled to free himself from the drapes, retreating to a corner as he crouched, his gaze fixed on the blade twirling between my fingers.
He hastily sketched a protection sigil in the air, attempting to pour his magic into it. When nothing happened, I watched in amusement as his expression shifted from fury to confusion, then to despair as he tried again, cursing under his breath.
‘That’s how my domina felt when you stole her power,’ I said, my tone icy. ‘I wanted you to experience that despair when you realised you were entirely at my mercy.’ I paused, letting the words sink in before adding, ‘Not that I have any.’
With deliberate precision, I began weaving a sigil in the air, ensuring Ihrain saw every intricate detail. As the aether began to take form, I had to rein myself in, holding back my magic when I realised that my bond with Annika, enhanced by our perfect synergy, allowed me to draw energy from my surroundings.
‘How are you doing that?’ Ihrain stammered, his voice trembling. ‘The master said the bond couldn’t—’
I released the spell before he could finish, its glowing strands sinking into the stone and latching onto his wrists. They solidified, binding him in place. I debated securing his legs butdecided against it. I wanted him to struggle, to feel the false hope that he might escape—even as his blood fuelled my magic.
I approached him slowly, enjoying the panic that radiated from his trembling form. Drool and snot mingled on his face as he whimpered, repeating the same phrase over and over.
‘This isn’t what he promised ... this isn’t what he promised ...’
