Page 61 of Rook of Ruin
Nora shrugs. “I want them to see what we’ve done.”
Finn shakes his head and wickedly grins.
Stunned. Fucking stunned is how I feel right now surveying the damage. “Why?” is all I can seem to say.
Vetter ignores me, sweeps me up into his arms, glides to the end of a doorway, and gently places me back on my feet. He pauses as his hand touches the golden door knob. “My dear, we did that to prove our loyalty.”
He opens a door into a ballroom. It’s like a whole other world, nothing like the room we were just in. My breath catches in my throat as I look around. Men and women mingle normally, dressed in a mixture of tunics, fighting leathers, and formal attire, completely ignorant of the slaughter in the other room. Living flowers of all colors cascade down the walls, elaborate gold candelabras are everywhere, along with bright twinkling lights falling from the ceiling like tiny shooting stars. It’s calm and inviting, unlike my roaring unease. Vetter grabs a hold of my hand and leads me forward, my blood-stained feet slapping the slippery stones as we walk.
Murmurs circulate as we approach two chairs covered in gold with crimson cushions placed on a stage similar to the one in the receiving room at the queen’s court. Vetter brings my hand back up to his mouth and kisses it again in front of the crowd. Oddly, I’m soothed by him, not repulsed like I should be. I should be ripping my hand out of his, but I don’t—instead, I internally scream,What the fuck?
Vetter and I are given golden goblets, mine adorned with red rubies and Vetter’s with black diamonds, both filled with a deep red wine. He raises his goblet, and everyone does the same.Fancy.“To the Ruby of Acros, Lady Verlan.” As if this couldn’t get any weirder, the crowd repeats it, and we all take a drink. Surprisingly, this is the most delicious wine I have ever tasted—sweet and crisp, exquisite. Vetter leads me to the smaller chairand motions for me to sit. I do, quickly. If they wanted to harm me they could—they have been able to this whole time—but I’m on display for a reason. I need to be smart. Vetter takes the chair next to me and waves for more wine.Hells, where am I?
Without any explanation or flair, Vetter begins taking court. Men and women kneel before him, asking favors, seeking help to squash squabbles between neighbors, exchanging monetary compensation, and matters of the heart. Vetter is ruthless in his decisions but respected enough that not one person complains. After quite a few inquiries, the doors we entered open dramatically, and Finn and Nora march towards us with a long piece of very thin metal. Pierced tongues dangle off the wire. They lay it in front of us and kneel.
If I had never worked in the Locker, I probably would have passed out several times already. I’m a worried mess. I have no idea what Nora and Finn have gotten me into. But Vetter glances over and notices I’m giving no reaction, calm and collected, sipping my wine.
His black eyes light up in delight before he stands gracefully. The room falls silent as he turns to me and lifts my dress to my knees to show my bloody feet. I play my part, sipping my wine, and an emotionless Alec—no—Ossian mask forms on my face. Inside, my heart is pounding, my mind is racing.What. the. fuck.
“Let it be known I have chosen a side. That of our Ruby. She walked through the blood of our enemies. We must be strong. We must be vigilant. We will show no mercy, for they will show us none. These are the tongues of those who threatened her life. Send them to the Spider.”
Murmurs and cheers erupt from the crowd. Two women in fighting leathers pick up the thin metal and leave, and musicians play a somber tune as people begin to sway to the music.
Gazing at the man who has chosen my side, I consider his actions. I believe he means he has taken the side of those whoprotect the innocent. I decide to use this weird situation to gather information. “Vetter, who were those people?”
“They were enemies who supported your death after you helped take down the assassin at the queen’s ball. They were sent to spy on you, my dear.” Vetter sips his wine. “The Spider sent me arequestfor information. I am repaying his kindness.”
I refrain from rubbing my brow in frustration and then let out a soft laugh. “Right, ‘a request.’ Let me guess—the Spiderthreatenedyou for information about the man who tried to kill the queen. You retrieved it for yourself, and now you are sending him the tongues to make him aware that those tongues told you all he wants to know. And now you’re, what? Holding me and the information hostage?”
“I couldn’t care less about the queen of Acros. I care you were harmed and threatened. Your life is too valuable to hold hostage, and you have many parties interested in your welfare.” He chuckles. “Including myself. No, my dear, the Spider and I have history. We help each other from time to time, when it is convenient to do so. Would I wish him dead? It depends on the day. Today, not so much, but that’s mainly due to your company.” He gives me a look like he knows many secrets and I need to choose my questions wisely.
People dance before us, and in a way, it reminds me of my painting of the nymphs and fae. The freeness of their bodies. “Why choose me . . . my side?”
“That, my dear, is for private ears only.” Vetter clicks his tongue.
Fine. I’ll ask again later. “Who are these ‘parties’ interested in my welfare?”
“Most you know, so no reason to name names.” He moves his hand to the music.The queen? My sister? Alec? . . . Simon?Truly, I have no idea. Vetter side-eyes me as if knowing what I’m thinking. His expression says,Not them.
I find myself taking a deep drink of the wine as people begin to dance wildly. “Who are you?”
“Who am I?” Surprise flickers across his violent face, but then he tips his head back and laughs. He isn’t laughing because I don’t know; rather, he laughs as if he is embarrassed that I haven’t a clue. “Can’t you see? I am the nightmare which lives outside of dreams.” He sounds almost bitter, and I realize he is speaking of his face.
“You’re not my nightmare.” For whatever reason, I feel the need to comfort him. I hold out my hand. He takes it easily. We sit like two villainous royals upon golden thrones, ready to tear the world apart.
“My dear, you truly are a queen.” He laughs to himself as if saying it meant something.
“O. Please call me O.” I grin as I take another sip of my wine.
“O.” He brings my hand to his lips. “Orlaith, my dear, beautiful creature.” His black eyes widen at my blushing face, and he purrs, “You are very interesting indeed.”
“As are you.” Tilting my head, I notice the smile upon his face. “It takes great courage to”—I chose my words carefully—“help those who need healing.”
“I assure you, my dear, that is not all I do.” He smirks, and I have no doubt this man is more than what he seems.
“What did you mean when you said my power is blocked?” I notice a few voluptuous women vying for his attention, but he doesn’t acknowledge them at all, focusing solely on me.
“Just that. It is.” Vetter glances at my brace. “It happens. Something to figure out another day.”
