Page 104 of The Assassin's Dancer
“What are you talking about?” he scoffs. “This is preposterous!”
“Is my name Amaryllis?” I yell.
“Of course it is.” No red.Obviously…Because he’s telling the truth.
I take a breath. “Do you love me?”
“Amaryllis…”
“Please. Father. Just answer the question. Do you love me?”
“Of course I do.” Red eyes. A lie. “I love all of my daughters.” Red again.
I sink deeper into the chair. Pain slashes through my chest, as if he’d just ripped out my heart and served it to the cruel prince beside me.
It must be magic. A twisted gift from the stars that shows me red when someone lies.
I’m too broken to feel grateful, though.
“And what about Hugo then?” I ask, my voice sounding very far away. “Did he come to this auction?”
“Hugo was the reason for the auction,” Orion laughs. Father shoots him a glare, but the prince ignores him. “Your dear father has an awful gambling habit. Had I not offered the price I did for your hand, I suspect Prince Hugo would’ve been wanting to leave your palace with many more of you than just your youngest sister.”
My shoulders tense, and Father looks away sheepishly. I’m too hurt to shout at him. I don’t even flinch when Orion pullsme against his side, the stitching of his satin tunic like thorns against my skin.
“I am so glad we could come to this arrangement, Sol,” Orion purrs. “I’m sure Amaryllis will be very happy in my kingdom, and I shall endeavour to provide you with an heir as soon as possible.”
I shudder, but say nothing as my pulse thunders in my ears.
“I trust you will take good care of her prisoner too?”
A breath catches in my throat.
“Prisoner?” Father tilts his head.
“Orion, no,” I find my voice, pushing away from him. “Please don’t. You promised you wouldn’t hurt him!”
“And I’ll keep my promise.” Grinning, his gaze drops to my lips before meeting my wide eyes. “But I can’t speak for your father.”
“No—”
“There is a guard in the dungeon.” Orion turns to the king, ignoring my protests. “He was spotted with your eldest late last night, and she’s already admitted to me that they’ve done much more than share a kiss. I suspect you’ll want him executed for defiling one of your daughters. I know that is how I’d want the matter dealt with.”
Father mutters something in agreement, but I barely hear him as I launch myself at Orion.
“You absolute brute!” I scream, slamming my fists against his face, his chest, anything I can hurt. But he just grabs my wrists and scoops me off my feet as if I weigh nothing at all.
“That’s enough, Amaryllis,” he tuts, holding me against him and marching us towards the door. “You’ll have to excuse us, Sol. I fear that guard has had quite a negative influence on my bride. You’ll make sure he’s thoroughly punished, won’t you?”
I don’t hear Father’s answer over my screams. I thrash, yell, calling Orion every vile name under the sun, but still he whisks me out of the room without a care in the world.
Now Father knows – Kasimir is as good as dead.
And the thought of that makes me forget how to breathe.
36
KASIMIR
