Page 11 of Vathia
My blood runs frigid and I barely feel the cut as my blood dribbles out of me and into the chalice. I’m barely aware of what’s going on, my blood is pounding in my ears as I stare down the male that fathered me. He glares back with nothing but pure malice and I know I will be paying for my disobedience, but I couldn’t care less.
Evera grasps the mating tonic with both hands and smiles at me. “I’ll be a good mate to you Tal, I swear it,” she simpers before taking a healthy gulp. The Reverend goes to take the chalice back but she shakes her head. “I’ll do it.”
She sits next to me on the bed, carefully avoiding the iron. “This is for the good of the Realm,” she murmurs softly. “Our fledgelings will be blessed by the fates. I can feel it.”
“I will hate you forever. I’d rather live with ogres than ever share a house with you,” I spit. If I’m going to be punished for this, I might as well dig myself a deeper grave.
Her face twists into a sneer as she forces the mixture down my throat. It splashes down my face and neck, seeping on to the pillow as I try to dislodge it.
Dread curls into my stomach as I realize it’s too late—more than enough has made it into my system.
I hear everyone step closer as they wait for it to kick in, for the mating to take between us. Since mate marks havedisappeared, couples would go through this ceremony to be close with the ones they love most. It ties them together similarly to the bonds we have with our beasts. It lets us sense each other, but not communicate.
As the minutes continue by, Evera’s face falls as she turns on the Reverend, grabbing him by his white robes. “Why isn’t it working?”
His face pales as he shakes his head, bewildered. I hope that maybe it won’t work. That maybe this bond I have with Ravina won’t allow it to happen.
“I have no idea. I did it correctly; I’ve done thousands of these matings. They always take,” he stammers, backing towards the wall. “The only reason it wouldn’t take is if he’s already bound himself to another or there’s a fated mark bestowed upon him, but those don’t exist any longer,” he cries out, more concerned with saving his own ass now than forcing a mating upon someone.
The ground shakes as my fathers temper takes over. “Strip him and look for anything unusual.”
Evera lets go of the male and strides over to me and in one fell swoop, she strikes her ring, summoning flames to her hands before using the fire to strip me bare.
Gasps ring out around the room as my mate mark stands out proudly, though still dull on my stomach, from my sternum to the top of my pelvis. An elegant sword surrounded by thorned roses. Although I can’t feel the bond thanks to whatever my father gave me, I’m thankful that it saved me from being mated to this monstrous female.
With practiced ease my father summons his magick and creates a stake from the wood of the floor then drives it into my shoulder. “Who?” he bellows, splattering his spit across my face.
A scream leaves me as I feel the wood splinter off inside me and the bed grow wet beneath my arm. Panting, I smirk up athim and spit. “I’ll never tell you. I’d die first.” To think that after all this time Maeven was hiding as a null named Ravina, and that she is my mate. I would never give her up like that. Even if she hates me after this and even if I never get to have her. I’ll keep her safe until she’s able to safely take her place on the throne. At least her being alive clears up that part of my plan.
Before I can respond, Evera screams, “It’s that bitch with the bird, isn’t it?”
Our fathers whirl on her but mine responds first. “Explain. Now.”
Tears stream down her face as she pouts, crossing her arms against her stomach. “There was a female who showed up with a bird familiar; ugly thing if you ask me. Would be better off cooked for some peasant’s meal. But she was always going after Talyn. Convinced him to train her one-on-one. Would always be sneaking around trying to steal him from me. She even stole my friends and got me kicked out of my squad. Daddy, she’s the one who mutilated my ears!” she sobs. “I want her killed!”
My father ignores her theatrics. “She’ll be dead eventually,” he murmurs, the heat of his anger leaving him which has my hackles instantly rising. “You don’t need to be mated to have an heir. As long as you are on board with sullying your daughter’s reputation?” He turns to Sir Gannon.
My heart thunders. “No. I won’t do it.”
They ignore my yelling. “The plan is still the same once the heir is born?”
Lord Craven nods. “As long as it’s male, yes.”
“I’m not a prized stallion for breeding! This is immoral and illegal!” I state, my voice thick with anger. I don’t even care that I’m exposed and bleeding. What does my father get out of forcing this?
I’m ignored, so I turn my attention to Evera. “This is wrong and you know it. I’m destined for someone else. You canfind a male who will want you and will cherish you.”Even if you are an evil wench.“But that male is not me.”
She smiles softly. “It’s okay, Talyn. It’s obvious that bitch has brainwashed you. I’ll take care of you, I promise.”
Her father then speaks up. “That’s fine then. No one needs to know the details.”
“And he will stay locked up until the birth of a male fledgling,” my father adds. “Evera is more than welcome to stay until the pregnancy is confirmed.” He glances in my direction. “And you will tell me where Cynder is.” His eyes glint like they know something I don’t.
I struggle against the iron, screaming from the pain of my shoulder and the skin peeling off around my wrists.
“Evera, darling. It’s time for you to do your part for your family and the realm. We will leave you to it,” her father states, ushering the males out of the room. As they leave I hear my father say, “I think I have a fifty year old whiskey we can uncork for celebration…” his voice fading as they move further down the hall.
Evera turns to her lady’s maids. “You’re dismissed. Please go to my room and prepare a hot bath with my favorite desserts. No wine—I am about to be with child.” She holds her flat stomach and smiles and I feel bile rise up my throat.
