Page 149 of Rook of Ruin
Callan’s eyes sweep my too thin frame, settling on my face. “Your runes are starting to disappear—lovedis the appropriate word. You’ve changed since Simon’s funeral.”
“Not in the slightest.”Lie.The memories Simon chose for me as well as the journals I found were surprising. They helped me to understand more than I ever had before. I know what I am, I know who viciously murdered my mother and father, I now understand the horrors that have occurred in Acros and Bethal for over a hundred years, and I know exactly who I need to kill.
He laughs, his black leathers pulling tight against his muscular frame. Callan has gained quite a bit of muscle since I last saw him. He has also been working hard to gain the trust of the Bethalian warriors. They have noticed, but those loyal to me don’t give a fuck. I’ve had my little Larks spying, singing songs about his inability to lead. The second largest rumor I spread was his desire to remove me from Brynmawr and dig up Simon’s body. The lie caused such an uproar in Bethal, the king himself had to get involved. It ruined their perfect royal image. It made Callan look callous, weak. I love making him seem inferior.
“You are wonderful, O. Truly. This whole time, I couldn’t figure out where the rumors were coming from or why someone would have taken such a keen interest in you.” He taps his fingers on Simon’s leather chair. “But then I found a healer in the castle. Unfortunately, he died before I could gain any true information. Do you know—”
“What?” I smile, playing his game, waiting patiently while my head buzzes with anticipation. Oh, he’s going to give me a diabolical speech like the evil ones do in every book—like some fucks did in the Locker. He’s bided his time, as I have, and he thinks he’s won.
“I’m impressed. Every time I hear your name, I lose control. If another man breathes your name, I’ve had him killed. Which is why I had to replace the Panther yet again.”
“Romantic.” I give him no expression to indicate it truly is. Perhaps it would be if it were anyone other than him and if they weren’t involved with the Panther.
He grins. “Isn’t it though? If there was another man who had you before Simon, I would murder him as well. But I heard he took your maidenhood—I also heard it wasn’t gentle. I am sorry for that.” If I could kill the heir to the throne of Bethal right now without repercussions, I would. I would destroy him without a second thought, but this will be methodical. And if I’m lucky, it will lead to a succession of deaths I will savor.
I’ve considered every scenario—and it’s why I must find his sisters. The sisters who are so reclusive, even Isle doesn’t know exactly where they are, and Simon’s memories did not reveal them to me. But I will find them. I keep a steady breath as I gaze at my foe. Callan doesn’t deserve a swift death, just like the queen of Acros doesn’t. For her betrayals, she deserves a tedious demise, and I can’t wait to watch her life bleed from her body.
Callan takes a sip of his whiskey. “I have been very patient with you, and still you have been too stubborn to see. I want no secrets between us anymore—it will make being together easier.”
I huff.Easier. Easier would be for me to kill him where he stands—I could think of many ways to do it—but I knew I needed something that would give me time.
Callan’s fingers tap his glass impatiently. “Why do you think I sent Rashel to the kitchens? I knew my mother would attempt to harm you, and if you had a servant who was loyal to you, they would protect you. Although I was surprised by the life debt you were able to force my mother into. Unnecessary, but still very sweet of you.” I want to slit his throat as his lips curve up further into his face. “Why do you think Lady Glimmon showed her fae face at the ball? So you would know who she was to Simon, so you would know what she is. Why do you think I poisoned Simon with asterlyn?”
Motherfucker.I try very hard not to show my surprise. It’s not only a pregnancy preventive, but a poison when used incorrectly—given in very large doses, it can cause brain damage, keen obsession . . .
This whole time. That’s why Simon changed. That’s why he was . . .
Rage fills my body. I remain still, not an emotion on my face, but Callan knows I’m falling apart on the inside. I can barely breathe from my sorrow and fury.
Callan chuckles. “You didn’t realize he was poisoned? I’m sorry, I thought you would have by now. I had your warrior, Boots, leave the vial in the bathroom as a hint while you were in here, plotting.Thatis another reason I killed the warrior. How could I allow him to live after he betrayed you?” He pauses, waiting for the information to seep in, and smiles again. “But how could you not know your own husband was poisoned? You must not have known each other.Ciantold you very little.”
For some fucking reason, I want to scream. Simon didn’t want me to be a threat to Callan. Too late for that.
The future king of Bethal shakes his head in disappointment. “O, you were there when Simon received his first large dose of asterlyn—in the whiskey we all drank together. You weren’t observing the footman. I gave you many hints, but you were not paying attention. For a Rook, you are quite . . .naive, but, I’m sure your eyes are wide open now.”
“Simon thoughtItook asterlyn,” I say quietly, keeping my tone even. I’m such a fucking fool.
“Yes, I am sorry for the hurt he caused you. I told him to treat you better, I told him not to speak to you like a brute. I guess that’s what happens when you’re poisoned—your true nature shows, and he was an obsessive man. He was obsessed with the crown and you.” He sighs. “I really thought you would come to me when he started behaving terribly to you.” He tilts his head and his fingers spread along the chair’s arm. “But you didn’t.”
“If I poisoned you, what would your true nature be?” I smile at the thought of poisoning him with something more deadly than asterlyn. I try not to look as shadows dance outside the glass windows.
“You are the only person who I have ever been myself with. I’ve told you exactly what my plans were, but you didn’t listen. Hear me now, Orlaith. You have a power I could only dream of having, and I believe in your heart you already know exactly what you are.” He gives me a knowing smile. “I am going to be powerful too.”
“I understand that now,changeling.” Simon’s memories showed me that the real Callan died—he succumbed to a sickness that spread in Bethal. This Callan is a copy. His father made a bargain with a fae when he was distraught, but what the king didn’t know was that the fae suppressed most of Callan’s changeling magic. It’s why Simon told me his brother died—because his real brother is no longer actually alive—but he grew up with the Callan I see before me.
“Yes, I’m glad Simon chose that memory for you.”
Me fucking too, and now thanks to my sources I know changelings are incredibly dangerous.
Callan regards me. “We are going to be powerful together. Imagine what we could do for our kingdom. With your magic and my warriors, we will rule the world. I’m going to prove it to you. I’m willing to forgive your little escape plan, but you will bind yourself to me.”
I laugh, but it’s hollow. “My little escape plan? I assure you I’ve only been planning on visiting Acros to heal Milo.” Daring to, I lower my eyes, only enough that Callan notices. His tongue darts out and licks his bottom lip—he likes it. I knew he would. He doesn’t want an equal; he wants someone to control.
“Is Milo truly sick?” Callan stands, and I raise my eyes back up to him. “I will get a Rook healer here. I will do everything for him because you love him.”
“I couldn’t get an Acrosi healer for Simon, what makes you think you can get one for Milo?”
“The prince of Acros owes me dearly—a Rook healer is nothing. Lewis will do anything I tell him. I can have one here within the week.” Callan crosses the room cautiously, afraid to spook me. “Is that what you want, O? Tell me what you want and I’ll do it. You can whisper the word.”
