Page 106 of Eldritch
He tipped his chin in defiance. “I said,no. I will not.”
He felt a hand grip his arm, and Zevander drew back, the chains rattling. Turning, he found Vaelora staring up at him.
“It’s all right.” A shield of tears shimmered in her eyes. “I want you to do this.”
“I will not violate you at the general’s request.”
“It isn’t a violation, if I give you permission.”
Voice edged in steel, he said, “I don’t need your permission for something I’ve no intention of doing.”
“Please. Do this.” Her gaze snapped to the floor, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I’m begging you.”
It was then Zevander realized, that it wasn’t only he who would be punished, but her, as well.
Lips pressed together, he released an angry exhale and turned back to General Loyce. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
Loyce ran her finger around the rim of her wineglass, a cruel amusement in her eyes. “I’m bored of this. Get rid of her.”
“No,” Vaelora whispered beside him, the panic in her voice damned near palpable. “Please! I’m begging you!”
Hands clenched to tight fists, Zevander lurched forward. “I said I’ll do it!”
As the two guards took hold of Vaelora, General Loyce raised her hand, bringing them to a halt. Once again, she slowly sauntered up to him. “You are only doing as I ask for her sake. Not because I ordered it. There’s a difference, boy, and you willlearn that I expect the latter, in all cases.” She turned to face the crowd. “It has come to my attention that there is treachery afoot, and I would be remiss not to address it.”
Zevander’s blood turned cold.
A commotion in the crowd had Zevander twisting to see orgoths dragging Aradia to the center of the room, where they threw her to the ground in front of the general.
“These three have conspired against me. And as you know, I do not tolerate disloyalty.”
“I swear to you, General?—”
“You swear nothing to me! Your words are like ash on the wind.” Without taking her eyes from her subordinate, Loyce held out her hand, and one of her soldiers placed the hilt of a long, skinny blade there. “Bad humors must be carved out with a blade, or they will fester and spread.”
“Please…I had no intentions—” Aradia didn’t even have the opportunity to finish, before General Loyce gave one fast strike of the sword.
Seconds later, Aradia’s head fell away from her body, rolling onto the floor in a bloody mess, the white suit she’d worn covered in thick, red blood.
“Aradia!” Vaelora screamed beside Zevander and fell to her knees, sobbing.
Loyce wiped the blood coating her sword onto Aradia’s headless torso and made her way toward the two of them. “Be advised that nothing escapes my attention.”
Zevander sailed a deadly glare toward Theron, who stood off in the crowd, his expression stoic as he stared back at him.
“And there is no mercy.” She pointed toward the pit, and four guards rushed to remove the grated lid.
Vaelora pushed to her feet and backed herself away, shaking her head. “No. I will…do whatever you say…I swear it. Please! Do not do this, General!”
Guards grabbed hold of her arms, just as before, only that time, she fought their grasp, digging her heels into the floor, resisting and screaming.
“No! No! I am the daughter of the king!”
“His bastard daughter.” The general chuckled, handing her sword off to a nearby guard. “You should’ve been slaughtered like a runt at birth.”
Zevander lurched for the guard nearest him and felt the thick grip of an orgoth clutching his throat, drawing him backward. Air waned in his lungs, and he clawed at his captor, who refused to release him.
Zevander watched in helpless fury, while Vaelora was dragged to the edge of the pit.
