Page 130 of A Dagger of Ice and Intrigue
No, no. That disease had sprung from the Protectorate itself.
“Those snakes can swallow battalions whole. We need to be prepared.” Zandyr drummed his fingers on the edge of the table as if he wanted to pierce it.
Something.
Anything.
I knew the feeling well. Of trying to contain the urge to kill.
It had taken the entirety of my control not to evaporate The Mountain when I’d seen his hands on her beautiful neck.
The same neck which I’d tasted–soft and yet defiant at the same time–and now haunted my every waking moment.
“I’ve built some new weapons which could shred three grown men in less than a second.” Calyx shrugged. “I can build ones that destroy huge reptiles. It’s not like I have anything better to do right now.”
He grimaced at his own leg, extended at an unnatural angle and still wrapped in gauze. Gods knew what wound lay underneath if it had managed to halt one of the best Blood Brotherhood warriors.
“I’ll find the cure,” Elysia said with an unnerving intensity. “Even if I have to dig the entirety of Malhaven to do it.”
“I know, Viper,” Calyx said, releasing a long sigh. “I’m just…not used to sitting in one place for too long.”
“Your priority is to recuperate,” Zandyr said, voice leaving no room for argument. “Heal and then you can kill all the Serpents who dare come at you.”
Finally, a corner of Calyx’s mouth ticked up. “They are a stupid, prideful bunch, aren’t they?”
“They’re also powerful. And rich,” I said. “Zandyr is right. We need to be prepared. Our Clan and the Veghearas are in danger.”
“Look who’s suddenly grown soft over the Vegheara brats he used to complain about,” Elysia sing-songed.
The Huntress was still a brat. A mouthy brat I couldn’t stop thinking about.
I fisted my palms underneath the table.
This was not the time and place to keep fretting about her, like I’d been doing since I’d tasted her. Had her scent envelop me and her legs coil around my hips.
That way led to madness.
“Just because you’ve managed to dodge the marriage contract so far doesn’t mean that responsibility won’t hunt you down,” I said, more tersely than I’d wanted.
Even from miles away, The Huntress tested my patience. Her essence unbalanced me in a way I was not used to and never thought possible.
The only thing keeping me seated and focused on talk of the unavoidable war was knowing she was safe in my city.
“I simply don’t know where my beloved betrothed is. Can’t blame a girl for that.” Elysia shrugged and sighed dramatically. “I should have just gutted him with a dagger back at the wedding and been done with it.”
My gaze met Calyx’s in the palaver portal. I raised my brows, a silent question about the dagger I’d left in his care after the massacre. The one which had killed Alaric.
Calyx shook his head as a reply.
Godsdammit.
I needed answers and I needed them fast.
That dagger could change the fate of the war.
I stared at the pile of weapons gathered in the center of the table, a tradition of old usually reserved for the moments after battle. But it felt like we were under constant attack.
The Serpents.
