Page 188 of A Crown of Tears and Treason
Alongside him, I owned the most important feeling of all–freedom.
Free to train. To learn. To sneak around to my heart’s content.To be admired and not made to feel lesser.And when he looked at me, I felt desired. It was a powerful sensation, to know you were wanted. Not for a tousle in the sheets or a few awkward nights.
For my presence.
For my potential.
For me.
He’d faced the most vicious Clans to claim me. Now he would become mine and I would become his.
Forever.
I stepped down into the courtyard–my sandy, barren courtyard. As soon as I found a moment of rest, I’d bring blooms and plump leaves into it. Make it come alive, just as I had in Phoenix Peak.
Adara stood to my left, Leesa and Goose to my right.
Together, we walked to the gate.
Then halted as thunderous steps roared onto the path.
Chapter
Sixty-One
EVIE
One by one, dozens of guards marched before the gate to my house, with their helmets and spears gleaming gold today. A special day. My wedding.
My heart fell somewhere near my jewel-encrusted shoes as more and more of them appeared on the path.
Thirty. Exactly thirty.
My skin turned clammy. Thirty-four shadows, now thirty guards.
I flicked my switchblade open before I knew I’d done it.
“Stand down,” Adara gritted through clenched teeth. “More are coming.”
More, so many more steps. But this wasn’t the precise rhythm of the guards, shaking the windows as they passed.
No, this was graceful strength. The swift feet of people who’d marched into battle, had come back victorious, and didn’t need to announce their presence to intimidate.
Thirty of Zandyr’s warriors stepped between the guards. They all had golden lapels on their broad shoulders, dressed in the same black armor with blood vials.
I recognized a few of them from when their group had returned from battle. The one who’d had his leg cut off to save his life stood in the middle.
Together, they bowed toward me as one. The guards remained standing, stiff as poles.
“They were supposed to escort you the day before,” Adara whispered before tightening her jaw and raising her chin. “For the good of the Blood Brotherhood!” she shouted.
A chorus of “For the good of the Blood Brotherhood!” called back, as the warriors pressed their open palms above their hearts. Their eyes narrowed on the guards who still didn’t make a single movement toward me.
I couldn’t care less. I didn’t need bows and kneels, I needed them to keep their spears away from me.
I sheathed my switchblade. “Thank you for joining us today,” I called out to them.
The warriors exchanged a confused glance. A few smiled, surprise twisting their features. Perhaps they remembered me from that day as well.
