Page 98 of The Assassin's Dancer
Ruby lets out a quiet sob.
“Now take him away.” He flicks his wrist towards the guards as my chest seizes. “And for Stars’ sake, tie him up.”
34
AMARYLLIS
The prince and I walk in silence through the palace hallways. Rain clatters against the windows, casting strange reflections on the floors while Orion keeps my arm wrapped around his, holding me tight until we reach his bedchamber.
Back in the ballroom, I could hardly watch as Kasimir was dragged away. I just kept my eyes closed while guilt twisted in my stomach. This is all my fault. I never should’ve left my room last night. Never should’ve given in so easily when Kaz suggested we play a game. I have a fiancé! And now he’s furious and dangling Kasimir’s life in front of me, toying with us both like we’re puppets on strings.
That’s not to mention the damage I’ve inflicted on my sisters. They’ll have nightmares for months!
When we arrive at Orion’s chambers, he shoves me inside and slams the door shut behind him.
I’m not surprised by what greets me. The prince has been given one of the nicer guest quarters on the far side of the palace. A lavish reception room sprawls out before us, filled with velvet armchairs, oak tables, and decorated with tapestries and heavy curtains.
There’s several doors too, leading off to bedrooms, bathrooms and private studies. From the sheer size alone, it’s clear that Father wanted Orion to feel welcome. Not that I’m feeling any of that warmth right now. I can almost taste the fury that rolls off Orion’s shoulders as he leads me towards a chaise longue and forces me to take a seat.
I let him push me down. Tears threaten to overcome me, but somehow I keep my breath steady as he sits down opposite me in an ornate armchair.
“I’m very disappointed in you, Amaryllis,” he says after a few heavy moments.
My heart pounds. “I’m so sorry, Orion, I?—”
“I didn’t say you could speak.”
My lips flatten as Orion watches me coldly. The air between us is thick with unease, but it’s nothing new. It’s the same fear I felt when he took me through the maze. The only difference now is that if I try to run from it, Kasimir will pay.
With a slow breath, I meet his stare.
“I don’t want you to hate me,” Orion continues. With a flick of his fingers, he calls over a nearby servant. “We are to be married after all, and I’d rather you be happy on our wedding day.” The young servant pours whiskey into a crystal tumbler and hands it to the prince. Keeping his gaze on me, Orion smiles as he takes a sip. “Unless you’d rather play the role of an unwilling bride? I can always arrange to have you dragged down the aisle in chains. Although that may tarnish both our reputations,” he chuckles.
“You can still call off the wedding,” I say. “I’m sure my father will compensate you for your troubles and my sisters will return your gifts.”
Orion’s smile fades. There’s a beat of silence, until glass whizzes past me in a blur of gold. Whiskey sprays everywhere. Ican’t help but scream as his crystal tumbler smashes against the wall.
“I told you to be quiet!” Orion barks.
My breath stutters.
“I am to be your husband,” he thunders, rising from his seat, “so you will obey me when I give you an order. When I tell you to not speak unless spoken to, you will listen to me. Understood?”
My lower lip quivers as I nod slowly.
“Good.” He drops back into his armchair and gestures for his servant to fetch him another drink.
I blink away tears as the whiskey sloshes into a new tumbler.
“But perhaps I am being too harsh.” The prince brings the glass to his lips. “Since you are clearly feeling so talkative today, then maybe we should talk.” He pauses to meet my teary gaze. “Tell me Amaryllis… did you fuck him?”
The words catch me off guard. “No. Of course not.” My body tenses.
“How obvious it is, when you lie, my darling.” Orion’s lips twitch. “It’s actually quite adorable.” With a smirk, he sets down his glass and relaxes his arms over the armrests, letting his hungry gaze fall all over my body.
Nerves twist my stomach. Even when I look away, I can still feel his eyes on me so I focus on counting the number of candles in the room.Eight, nine, ten. It helps until Orion’s voice cuts right through me.
“Remove your dance gown.”
