Page 67 of Echoes of the Raven
“Shut your mouth and follow me,” I bite out the words. I have no patience for him.
Gods!If it were up to me, he wouldn’t say another word until we reached the veil.
A thought occurs to me, and I smirk. Maybe some binding rope and a gag will appear in his near future—I’m the one in charge of this expedition, after all.
My smirk dies when he says, “Watch how you talk to me.”
Losing my patience, I whirl on him. “Or what? You have no magic to torture me, and your friend isn’t here to do your dirty work for you.”
Before I realize what’s happening, Rífíor is on me, using the weight of his body to push me against the trunk of a tree, caging me in.
“You’re infuriating,” he rumbles, his nose practically touching mine. “I should…”
My insides tremble with instinctual fear, and my mind offers reason to combat it…He won’t hurt you. He wants the veil reopened. I’m his only hope.
But logic has no power over the gut-wrenching certainty that he’ll eat me alive. He looks feral enough, his sharp fae features amplified by the shadows, his black eyes swallowing all the light, threatening to suck me in and leave me adrift in a sea of darkness.
I clench my teeth to stop my chin from quivering. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he scares the shit out of me. This bastardo’s intention is to intimidate me, and I can’t let him know that a mere glance and a growl in that deep voice are all it takes. No, I need to establish boundaries and make it clear that he should fearmeinstead.
“Should what?” I demand. “Beat me? No doubt you would manage wonderfully since you’re a big brute. But you don’t scare me.”
“Are you sure about that, Princess?” His gaze falls to my mouth, and quickly comes back up.
“Absolutely,” I reply. “And you know why? Because I have power over you, Rífíor of the Veilfallen. Because without me, you’ll never make it back to Tirnanog, and you’d still be rotting in that cell, feeling sorry for yourself. The Eldrystone burned and branded my sister, but for you, itdidn’t care enough to muster even a hint of espiritu. Honestly, I think Niamhara couldn’t care less whether you live or die.”
A growl sounds in the back of his throat, and I know I got to him. It’s time to press my advantage.
“So, from now on, you’ll keep your offensive presence away from mine. Five paces, at least. Is that clear? If you don’t, I’ll make certain you never walk across the threshold between Castella and your realm. I swear it to all the gods.”
True fear—terror, even—enters his expression for a split second, but it’s gone so fast I have to wonder if I imagined it, especially because when he speaks, his voice is as firm and intimidating as ever.
“You’re playing with fire, Valeria Plumanegra.”
“It doesn’t concern me. If you’re fire, then I’m water.”
What? Did I really just say that? Oh, Gods!That sounded as dramatic as something Emerito would have said.
“Water, huh?” he says, his teeth flashing a condescending grin. “You don’t even have The Eldrystone with you right now. Is it still in the possession of that abominable bird? How can you be so careless with such power?”
I shrug. “True, so do your worst while you can. I dare you. Kill me if you will. That will only ensure you never get out of here. Hit me, and you’ll ensure the same fate. Either way, lay a finger on me and see what happens.” I lift my chin up, unintentionally bringing my mouth closer to his. I realize my mistake too late, but I don’t back down. I’m not afraid of his physical threats, no matter their nature.
He flinches at my words. “I am not an animal, Valeria. I would never lay a finger on you. Not like that, anyway.” He smiles sadly, then, very slowly, takes several paces away from me. He stops, exactly at five. “You have nothing to fear from me. As you well understand, my most ardent desire is to return to my home. In over two decades, this is the first time a real possibility has presented itself. I will not throw it away. I will makeone thing clear, however, I am not your friend. I am your enemy. Do not ever forget that.”
“It’s you who should never forget it,” I sneer. “I’m not doing this for you. There’s another reason, a good reason that doesn’t take into account the motivations of a selfish bastardo like you. You’re only here because you’re necessary. If there was anyone else who could help me, I would have left you behind, rotting away. What you have done can’t be forgotten, much less forgiven. I’ll forever consider you my enemy. I will forever hate you.”
“Hate me all you want, Little Princess. It means nothing to me.” He whirls on his heel, and I can’t see his expression as he finishes his declaration. Maybe I imagined it, but there was a certain hitch in his voice when he said it meant nothing to him.
Perhaps there was, but either way, it doesn’t change howIfeel.
26
VALERIA
“She’s still young, but I can already tell. She will be a great queen.”
Rey Simón Plumanegra (Casa Plumanegra) - King of Castella - 6 AV
We walk uphill for an hour. From our vantage point, we’re able to monitor all activity around the palace. Four times, mounted guards have left Nido, each group galloping in different directions. Two of them headed into Castellina, while the others broke ranks and dispersed on outbound paths. They’ll be monitoring the main roads out of the capital, no doubt, acting as scouts that can later inform of our position.
