Page 135 of Devour
A boot pushes into my back, shoving me forward. I barely catch myself before my face scrapes the floor. “One smell is all it’ll take to know exactly where she’s been.”
The priestess curls a lip in disgust, but she prowls forward none the less to examine me. “Stand,” she commands.
This time, I return her look of disgust.
She raises a brow. “The little rat with claws, after all?” she croons. “I have seen inside your soul. You are meek. You are weak. You may enjoy your game of defiance, but we both know you have nothing left to fight with or for.” She laughs. “So, I suggest you play along. Your punishment will be markedly easier to bear if you obey.”
“Your punishments are cruel no matter what. I will not make it easier on you.”
She chuckles. “Very well.” She snaps her fingers. “Ivar, make her obey.”
“Gladly.” His voice echoes through the room, and I immediately regret my choice.
“No—” But I am already in his grip. Harsh hands are on my waist, brushing against my breast. Hot breath and bitter scent flood my senses.
I press my eyes closed, and when I’m placed on my feet, his arm curled around mine to hold my weight, I do not fight. I force my legs to straighten.
Ivar clings to me with one arm, and with the other, he brushes my wild hair over my shoulder.
“Bring her forward.”
Ivar obeys, dragging me toward the priestess. The warmth of the torches chases away the chill but not the panic.
The priestess leans in to look into my eyes. “This rebellion was not seen in your reading. That was just today, was it not?”
“He must have taught her how to hide it.”
She frowns. “Or something has changed between then and now. Where is he?” She peers down at me. “Where is your Drak?”
I swallow and turn my eyes to my feet. Sharp nails scrape against the soft skin under my chin, pressing so tightly it brings tears to my eyes as she forces my face up to hers.
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
“I told you,” Ivar says, his voice low with anger, “he is a traitor. A heretic. I’ve always known. He defies every command. Sets prisoners free when it was not foretold. He kills in mercy, not retribution. He is not one of us and never has been.”
She waves him off and refocuses on me. “Tell me what you’ve done,” she says to me, ignoring the angry Drak warrior threatening her.
“Nothing,” I whisper.
“Do not treat me as a fool, girl. Do you know the punishment for defecting from the community? You were given a gift, and you squander it. But, if there is more to your story than a cowardfleeing from her duty, perhaps we can come to some kind of arrangement.”
“I don’t underst?—”
“I will take her,” Ivar spits out.
My blood runs cold. No. No, I am supposed to die as punishment! I cannot be taken by him. I have seen how some Drahkitas are treated, and I won’t do it. I can’t.
“I will make sure she is thoroughlypunished.With me, she will never even think of defiance again.”
“No—” I bite out.
The priestess rolls her eyes. “See, that is exactly why it is hard to trust your judgement, Ivar. A good warrior, yes, but your ego is too overpowering. Would you lie to me, Ivar? Would you lie to get revenge on a rival?”
He bows his head. “No. I do not lie.”
“Back up.” She flicks her fingers at him lazily. “She can stand on her own.”
