Page 5 of Echoes of the Raven
I hate the part of me that rears its head and stands at attention at his words. I want to remain indifferent to anything concerning this male. He doesn’t deserve even the smallest morsel of curiosity from me. But I can’t help but crave for understanding.
Why has he ordered Calierin to subject me to one nightmarish dreamscape after another: my mother’s presence just moments ago, Amira’s brutal end at Orys’s hands, Father transforming into a monstrous raven intent on devouring me, and more? Why? I want to know.
Why did Rífíor infiltrate Nido? Why did he pretend to be someone he is not? Why did he seduce me in order to get his hands on the stupid gem?
I clench my teeth and tighten my fists, hating myself even more for allowing the pain of a broken heart to make me weak.
“So, tell me then, why do you want The Eldrystone?” I ask between clenched teeth. “Lie to me,Rífíorof the Veilfallen, weave your falsehoods as only you know how.”
“What I will tell you next is no lie, Valeria Plumanegra. I only hope that my honesty will appeal to the charity of the woman I first met in Nido.”
2
RÍFÍOR
“I stare at the discarded ancient bones on the ground and wonder if my own bones are condemned to join them and forever remain in this godsforsaken catacombs.”
Aodhán Utorhán - Veilfallen - 21 AV
She huddles on the floor, one arm tied, the other one free. Her face is soiled, with streaks running down the middle of her cheeks and from the corners of her eyes to the tangle of hair at her temples, the evidence of all the tears she has shed while Calierin tortures her, and while she lies on her cot alone at night and thinks no one is listening.
Calierin would like to use her magic to do more than create harrowing images inside Valeria’s head. She thinks that physical pain or the threat of losing an eye would break Valeria more swiftly, but I’m not convinced that is true.
“I’m never going to tell you where it is. NEVER!”Valeria’s words are not idle threats. I hear the conviction in her voice, and I know her well enough to understand she means this to the very marrow of her bones.
If there’s one thing I know about the youngest Plumanegra sister, it’s that she would do anything for her family. The proof is how, just a few days ago, she was willing to sacrifice her life to save Amira’s, placingherself as a shield beneath her sister’s plummeting body and the floor, damn the consequences.
So, despite my reluctance to allow Calierin to physically harm Valeria, as it seems like the utmost betrayal of my principles, I fear it will be this psychological torment that will haunt me as my lowest deed in the end.
Ironic, how I thought it would be the most humane way to get the answer I desire.
This is the reason I’ve decided to tell Valeria the truth—or as much of it as I dare.
“So, tell me then, why do you want The Eldrystone?” she asks me. “Lie to me,Rífíorof the Veilfallen.”
“What I will tell you next is no lie, Valeria Plumanegra, and I hope that my honesty will appeal to the charity of the woman I first met in Nido.”
Unbidden, an image of her smiling face enters my mind. I shut it out, denying the weakness that led me to bed her in the first place, a mistake I’ll never forgive myself for.
Her glare is dark and unforgiving, but I go on.
“You know well what The Eldrystone is. You found out the truth of it at the library. Did you not?”
She says nothing, just stares at me with that same hatred that seems to burn deep in her soul. She went to the Biblioteca de la Reina with her cousin, and she learned of the amulet’s origin.
“You know it is Niamhara’s conduit, correct?” I press.
Still, she says nothing.
“Answer me,” I demand.
Nothing.
Driven by anger, I lash out, my hand wrapping around her throat as I bear down on her, my nose nearly touching hers. I feel her pulse and warmth in my fingertips. Her gaze is unwavering as it meets mine. She remains steady under my threat, which is more than many valiant warriors I’ve encountered have managed to do.
She blinks slowly, then licks her lips, the tip of her tongue traveling from one corner of her mouth to the other. I can’t help but look down at her shapely mouth and spurn the jolt of desire that runs through me.
With a growl, I shove her to one side, nearly making her topple, and jerk to a standing position. Fury running through my blood, I pace the alcove, doing my best to control myself. This is not why I’m here. I’ve done enough yelling and threatening and torturing, and none of it has changed her mind.
