Page 122 of Rook of Ruin
Callan spins me around, my black chiffon dress swishing against his legs. Glancing around the ballroom, I take in the splendor of Queen Ffion’s wake until bright malicious brown eyes connect with mine for a moment. His very large silver lapel pin in the shape of a cat—a panther—with ruby eyes screams wealth. Callan nods at the lord to acknowledge his presence.
“I’ve seen that man in Acros. What is his name?” I move my head to get a better view.
“He’s not someone you want to know. I barely want to know him.” The gruff tone of his voice makes me curious.
“Introduce me.”
“No.” Callan scowls deeply.
“Fine.” I release his hand and quickly move away from him, becoming lost in the sea of lords and ladies. Searching for the brown-eyed man, I finally find him in a dark hidden alcove, blocking in a very distressed young woman up against a wall.
Quickly, I grab the empty champagne glass on the alcove table and crack it against the stone wall, holding the end of the glass and pointing the sharp end towards the man. He wheels around, slipping his hand into his dark silk jacket as if to reach for a dagger.
“Remove yourself.”
The teary young woman scurries away before I can ask if she is okay.
“Your Highness.” His thick Bethalian accent is a surprise; he looks more Acrosi. He removes his hand and bows deeply, not considering me a threat.Fool.I step forward and push the end of the broken glass into his neck, right where his carotid artery is—just enough that a drop of blood falls down into the clear glass.The man stiffens. His thick dark hair is greying, and a goatee lines his lips.
“She looked upset,” I growl.
“Exactly why I came to comfort her,” he replies smoothly but makes no effort to stand straight.
Doubtful, but I have no proof otherwise. He could very well have been trying to comfort her. “What is your name, sir?” I ask.
He smiles, and gold teeth glint in the soft lighting. “I am at your service, Your Highness. My Warrior’s Name is the Panther.”
Iknowhim. How do I know him? “Do you have a given name?”
The Panther seems amused by my question. “Yes, as do you, Ruin. Though I no longer go by it, like many Bethalian warriors.”
I squint at him, and something tingles in the back of my mind. “I have seen you in Acros.”
“I am flattered you would remember me. I have not been in Acros in a very long time. May I?” I remove the broken glass from his neck and step back. He straightens, trying to take up more space in the alcove.
“Where have you been?”
He tilts his head to the side, drawing out the moment. “Do I intrigue you?”
“About as much as a fart on the wind,” I reply. “Answer my question.”
The Panther steps slightly forward, and I raise my right hand with the broken glass as a warning. “I am a collector of fine items. I travel quite frequently. Recently, I was in Tynan.”
My curiosity piques. “And what items did you collect in Tynan?”
Using his large body in an intimidating way, he raises his shoulders to shrug. “Expensive ones.” He rubs the gold rings on his fingers to bring my attention to his wealth. “Ones that wouldmake even the queen of Acros jealous. However, I find Bethal has the rarest gem.” He peers down his nose at me. “The finest Ruby.”
Tipping my head to the side, I look at him with profound disgust. “Your words do not flatter me.”
His jaw tenses. The Panther fully expected me to enjoy his manipulative pandering. “They were not intended to flatter, merely a statement of facts.” The air becomes thick, almost violent. Through gritted teeth, he lies, “Your Highness, I do not wish to offend you.”
“And yet, you do.” I am offended by his mere presence. He clearly sees me as an object, and I have no doubt that’s how he sees all women.
He smiles, and it is not a kind one. “I had plans to sail for Acros soon, but now I see Bethal has better company.”
“I think that depends on the company you keep, and I find my current company lacking.” I look him up and down. The Panther’s nostrils flair in anger at my clear statement of power, but I grin wickedly. “I know your name, and you clearly know mine. ButmyWarrior’s Name means to destroy, and that’s what I will do to you if you think for one fucking moment you can intimidate me,pussycat.”
“I do not need to intimidate you, Your Highness. I will merely inform you that my death would create complications in Acros.” The Panther continues to smile with false mirth. “Besides, if you kill me, another will take my place, and I assure you, I am by far the most agreeable. We keep Acros secure.” He glances down at my left arm, where my brace once was.
