Page 97 of Poisoned Kingdom
‘What?’ The word came out harder than I intended. ‘How?’
‘I don’t know,’ she whispered. ‘The dwarven merchants returned two days after our meeting. He went to spy on them and never came back.’
Fuck, I should have someone keep an eye on that damn dwarf,I thought, placing my hands on her shoulders. Her body was stiff with tension, eyes glassy from unshed tears.
‘Tova’s a tough bastard,’ I said softly. ‘And you are not alone, my light. Let me help.’
Without a word, she wrapped her arms around me, burying her face against my chest, her body shaking silently. My heart stuttered before beating so hard my blood roared in my ears. We’d shared several intense moments and had had our fair share of bickering, but Sana had never sought comfort from me. The South, the court, everything faded away as I held my Viper close, stroking her hair.
After a few far-too-short moments, she took a deep breath and pulled back. I reluctantly let her go, already missing the warmth of her embrace. The pale winter sun spilled through a gap in the tent seam, casting her figure in a golden haze while hiding her expression in shadow.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered. ‘I didn’t know what else to do.’ Her voice wavered, and something twisted tight in my chest. ‘I searched everywhere—tore Truso apart with Riordan and the Brotherhood—but it’s like he vanished into thin air.’
‘Do you think he’s still in Truso?’ I asked, guiding her to sit in my chair and kneeling beside her.
She shook her head. ‘No. That’s why I’ve been trying to get in touch with you. That bloody oath kept me from leaving the capital. If Riordan hadn’t pointed out that the city limits extend into the forest, I don’t know what I would have done.’
I tilted her chin gently, noting the streak of blood trailing down her neck. I cursed. The city limits might extend into the forest, but they didn’t come this far. Roksana must have fought against the oath’s compulsion, convincing herself she was still in the city to come here.
‘Roksana Regnav, you have fulfilled your oath. You are free to travel as you please.’ I blurted out the release phrase, shaking my head at my stupidity, but at least the bleeding stopped ‘I’m sorry, Sanika, I didn’t think . . .’
‘It’s only pain,’ she said, brushing it off with a shaky breath. ‘It doesn’t matter. I need you, Rey. Please. I’ll do anything if you help me find him.’
She looked so broken, her strength hollowed by desperation. I poured her a drink of fortified brandy and held it out.
Her hand trembled too much to grasp it. The goblet tipped, sloshing over her fingers. I caught it before it spilled further, then knelt again and gently wrapped her hands around it.
‘Drink, then give me a moment to issue some orders. I’ll find your friend, but I want a front-row seat when you scold him for worrying you,’ I said, trying to bring at least a hint of a smile back to her face.
A dainty hand tentatively touched my cheek, her long, delicate fingers caressing the edge of my scar. I leant into it, closing my eye so she wouldn’t see the whirlwind of emotion threatening to overwhelm me. That wretched dwarf would be found, even if I had to gut my kingdom to do so.
I needed to see Sana smile again.
‘I’ve hurt you so much, Rey. I don’t know how you can stand to look at me, let alone help me, but I swear on my life I’ll serve you unconditionally to repay this kindness.’
‘I don’t want your service, Viper,’ I said, laying my head on her lap. ‘Or repayment of kindness.’
Roksana’s fingers stroked my hair, her touch uncertain at first but growing bolder with each passing moment.
‘What else can I offer?’ she asked, hissing quietly when I accidentally touched her calf.
‘Spread your legs,’ I said, lifting my head.
Shock and betrayal burned in her eyes, but she did as she was told, swallowing hard when I rolled up her skirt. My hand trailed over her skin. Just as I suspected, it was red and rubbed raw from the horse’s saddle.
‘If that’s what you want, sire,’ she murmured. Her voice was flat and distant, but she parted her knees under my guidance. My Viper was so pale and determined that my chest tightened with pride.
I reached for my pack, pulling out some ointment and dipping my fingers inside. Carefully, I massaged the balm into the tender skin of her inner thighs, slow and deliberate, pausing whenever she flinched. At the worst spots, I leaned in and blew gently to cool the sting.
‘I only want to ease your discomfort, my brave Viper,’ I said, my voice barely above a whisper. ‘You’ll never be forced to accept me against your will. The next time you open your legs for me, you’ll do so because you want it, not for payment or duty.’
I bent down and kissed her grazed knee, praying to all the gods she didn’t see how much I wanted her.
‘Be careful what you offer, and to whom, Roksana,’ I said, standing up and pouring myself a measure of brandy to calm my racing heart. Her legs slammed shut with a loud smack, and I turned away to hide my smile.
‘If you truly want to offer me something,’ I added, swirling the brandy in my goblet, ‘then promise me you’ll never let another man touch you for as long as I live.’
Her head snapped up, and for the first time since she’d arrived, I saw the fire flicker back to life in her eyes.
