Page 79 of Of Kings and Thieves

“Of course not,” he replied, his gaze never leaving mine. “But you must trust me. I’m doing everything in my power to help both of you. Rushing in blindly will only make things worse.”

I took a deep breath, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. “I’ll do whatever it takes,” I said, meaning it. “But when that moment comes, Moredanea better watch her back. Because I swear on my life, I’ll make her pay for everything she’s done.”

“Good,” Killian nodded, his expression turning neutral again. “Just remember, they want to see you break. Prove them wrong.”

I nodded and wiped the tears from my eyes.

He stood and returned to the window, and a flash of lightning illuminated the room. “Samara,” he began, his voice barely a whisper. “I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that you see raven feathers when you’re with Col.”

“You don’t?”

Your fate lies in other lands, he’d said that day he buried my family.

Before I could get any more information, Killian’s form shimmered, fading like a half-remembered dream. He disappeared, leaving me alone in the dimly lit room, cold rain pattering against the window.

When I turned back to the bed, my ruby ring was laying on the pillow.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

The great hall had transformed. Elegant tapestries depicting bloody battles and tortured souls hung from the walls, while sparkling chandeliers, dripping with crimson jewels, cast eerie shadows across the room. Long, extravagant tables groaned under the weight of succulent roasts, fresh fruits, and decadent pastries—a feast fit for kings and devils alike.

Servants in finery that nearly matched the attire of the guests lined the hall, poised to fulfill every whim and desire. But despite the extravagance surrounding them, no one looked comfortable, their smiles strained and their laughter forced.

As promised, the stone statues of the poor souls who had been part of Moredanea’s experiment stood in a place of honor on the dais. I tried my best to ignore them as I took my place at the table, my stomach twisting into knots. How was I supposed to eat with those horrible statues behind me?

This was no celebration of a new king. It was a dance with death, and we were all its unwilling partners.

Lurid forms of entertainment were scattered throughout the hall. Acrobats performed daring feats overhead and fire dancers wove hypnotic patterns with their fiery whips. Naked couples performed blatant sexual acts on raised platforms, their gasps and moans echoing in the hall.

Outrage boiled within me as my eyes roamed from one debauched display to another. Turning away, I scanned the sea of masked Deviants, searching for the familiar glint of Killian’s distinctive mask. I spotted him, but quickly averted my gaze so no one would suspect anything.

As if summoned by my thoughts, Moredanea and The Harrow appeared, causing a shift in the room. Hushed conversations and nervous glances filled the grand banquet hall as nobles and dignitaries from across the kingdom mingled with forced smiles and strained laughter.

Servants with shaking hands began to serve wine to the jittery crowd, and I couldn’t help but wonder what threats these men and women had been under these past few years while The Harrow was in charge.

“Your wine, milady,” a servant said, extending a trembling hand towards me. I took the goblet without meeting his gaze, not wanting to see the terror in his eyes.

“Thank you,” I muttered, taking a sip and wincing at the bitterness that burned my throat. The drink matched the atmosphere of the room—bitter and dark, with an aftertaste that left me feeling sick. The servant hurried away, disappearing into the shadows like a frightened mouse.

The grand doors swung open, and the room fell silent. Col entered, cutting an imposing figure in his black and crimson robes. A circlet of dark metal rested upon his brow, the ruby at its center a drop of blood against his pale skin. They weren’t the colors I would have chosen for him, and guessed he’d had little say in the matter, just like me. His face was a cold mask as he strode forward.

He took his seat beside me, and I had to resist the urge to lean into his warmth, to seek the reassurance of his touch. We exchanged the briefest of glances, a wealth of unspoken words in his eyes before he looked away.

After Killian had returned my ring, I’d hurried to put it on. Col and I had spent the next few minutes comforting each other. He had given me the same advice as Killian: to keep my head down and not react to anything The Harrow or Moredanea threw at us. And to eat, to keep up my strength.

I flexed my bare fingers, missing the comfort of my ring. I had hidden it back in my chambers, as we’d agreed. Our silent conversation would be too dangerous here under the watchful eyes of the guards lining the walls behind us. And I didn’t want Moredanea to pay attention to my ring, either, or guess its power.

Her laughter echoed through the hall. Turning my attention to the source of the noise, I spotted her standing beside The Harrow, both looking pleased with themselves.

“Look at this one,” Moredanea said, gesturing toward a terrified woman who was being held by two burly guards. They proceeded to wrap a rope around the woman’s throat, just tight enough to make her choke but not quite enough to kill her. The Harrow smirked, making a small gesture, and the guards released the rope. The woman crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath.

“Pathetic,” The Harrow sneered, turning his gaze to the next victim.

“Your turn,” Moredanea said, pointing to a man who was trembling in fear. The guards seized him, beginning the same sickening process as before. I wanted to scream, to do something, anything to put an end to this senseless cruelty. But I knew that any action on my part would only bring disaster upon those I cared for most.

“Isn’t this fun?” Moredanea asked The Harrow, a wicked grin spreading across her face. The Harrow chuckled darkly in response, his eyes glittering with malice.

“Indeed,” he replied, surveying the room with satisfaction. “But I think we can do better.”

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