Page 31 of Poisoned Kingdom
‘I think I’ll keep you for a very long time, Viper,’ he said, placing a hand on my cheek. His touch was gentle this time, but a sense of dread washed over me. I couldn’t be trapped here. Boyan’s position was at stake. If I didn’t show up at the Mabon feast, Jagon would surely use it as an excuse to issue a formal challenge.
‘No.’
‘No? Oh, you thought if we talked, I’d let you go?’ He laughed. ‘I may not want to kill you, but that doesn’t mean you’ll gain your freedom. Whatever the truth may be, you maimed the king. You committed an offence punishable by death, and your life is nowmine.’
I flinched, panting with panic. More tears came as he tightened his grip again. Fighting him was futile. Without my poisons, I was just a woman, half his size, barely trained in stealth and combat, and with no illusions about what my chances were.
Think, Sana. You have until the feast. He’s already changed his mind about killing you.
The thought eased my fears.
Reynard smiled. ‘I see you understand now. I’m not a man to be trifled with.’
He dropped his hand, leaving me unrestrained.
‘Call your truthseeker,’ I said. ‘They’ll confirm my story. But please, once they finish with my mind, let me go. My friends will be in danger if I remain here . . . I’ve risked my family’s lives to come warn you.’
‘And why should I care?’
‘Because you are supposed to be a decent man!’
The stubborn oaf heard me but refused to listen. I had no way of convincing him, though if I gave him a reason to trust me, I was sure he’d let me go.
‘Fine!’ I said, exasperated. ‘I’ll take a blood oath. I’ll return to you once I ensure my family is safe, but please, youhaveto let me go.’
He gasped, taking a step back. A blood oath bound a person’s life to their promise, only death freeing them from its shackles. My proposal was a reckless one, but I was hoping to phrase my oath cleverly enough to avoid the direst consequences. I reached for the short dagger on my belt to seal the deal.
His reaction was intuitive, and before I knew it, the blade was flying across the room. The movement brought him close again, so close I could feel the heat of his body against my skin.
‘Never draw a blade in my presence,’ he snarled.
His words were deathly cold, but before I could answer, armed men entered the room. I swallowed hard, almost sagging to the floor, when the king suddenly released me.
‘Take her to the cells—the ones in the old castle with functioning wards. No one is to visit her until I allow it.’
He turned towards me then, his gaze hardening.
‘Strip.’
‘No!’ I answered, my gaze shifting between the three men. They had me trapped like a cornered rabbit. I glanced toward the window.
If I could survive the fall . . .
The king followed my gaze and moved, blocking my path.
‘You three, turn around,’ he commanded his men before stepping into my space. ‘No one will touch you, but I won’t let you keep any blades or poisons on you. Now, strip. Unless you want me to do it for you?’ he asked, picking up the dagger I’d dropped.
‘If I do, could I at least send a message to my friend—’
‘And warn my enemies? Not a chance.’
‘You’re a fucking arsehole,’ I said, swallowing back tears. I’d achieved nothing by coming here. The only plan I’d had had just fallen apart because this stubborn man refused to listen.
He smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. His muscles tensed, highlighting his warrior’s frame, but all I could see was the brute forcing my submission.
‘Arsehole?’ he mused. ‘I don’t know about that. You’re still alive. Some gratitude’s in order, don’t you think? Let’s see if a few days in a cell will improve your manners.’
Moments later, my dress lay in a pile on the floor. I took off my blouse, dreading the moment I’d have to remove the simple linen chemise that barely touched the top of my thighs.
