Lib Novel Page 61
“Your Majesty, something you should know—one of the sentries on the east wall reported seeing a dragon.”
Rahzien makes a scoffing sound. “Unlikely. Was the sentry drunk on duty? If so, have him killed.”
“Begging Your Majesty’s pardon, he seemed quite sober when he reported the incident. He said a dragon took off from the palace’s highest tower and flew east.”
“In broad daylight?” Rahzien says incredulously.
“No, Sire—the sighting occurred last night.”
I can’t see Rahzien’s face, since he turned his back to me, but I note the way his whole body goes rigid, exuding a nearly tangible cloud of threat. The guard shrinks back a step.
“This sighting occurred last night?” Rahzien says in a terribly calm voice. “And I’m just being informed of it now?”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty—I was going to tell you sooner, but when I arrived at your chamber with the news, you were—with a couple of ladies. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“And after the ladies and I finished our fun?” says Rahzien evenly. “Why did you not tell me then?”
“Sire, you were asleep. And I thought—”
“No.” Rahzien cuts him off. “You didn’t think. Fuck my life. Am I to be forever surrounded by fools? If anyone sees a dragon anywhere near this palace, this city—anywhere within our borders, the creature is to be shot on sight, and I’m to be informed immediately. I don’t care if I’m sound asleep or balls deep in god’s asshole, you tell me at once. I thought I’d made that clear to everyone, but it seems I shall have to emphasize it.”
He strides toward the guard, who retreats again, babbling a plea for mercy right before Rahzien’s hand grasps his throat and chokes off the words. Rahzien is bigger, stronger, fueled by rage. He drags the soldier out of my chambers, then orders over his shoulder, “Spider! Come with me. Now.”
I hurry out of my suite and follow the King down the hall. My stomach growls as we walk. I’m sure Rahzien hears it, but he doesn’t comment. I haven’t had anything to eat since lunch yesterday. He likes to keep me hungry and weak, less able to think clearly or fight him.
We head out of the palace into the main courtyard, where a contingent of Vohrainian guards is training, performing smooth, synchronized movements under the early morning sun. Together they take one step forward, draw the large, cumbersome guns from the holsters on their backs, aim as if to fire, then reseat the weapon and retreat a step. A commander stalks through the rows of soldiers, hands folded behind him as he calls out each maneuver and scrutinizes the troops.
Rahzien marches toward his soldiers and throws the unfortunate guard to the ground. He drags the man’s helmet off, revealing a pale, terrified man with a shock of brown hair and a brass ring through his septum.
Rahzien steps behind him and kicks him in the back. The guard doubles over, wheezing.
The soldiers halt their maneuvers. Scores of skeletal silver helmets angle toward the King of Vohrain.
“This man withheld a report from me,” Rahzien bellows. “He kept crucial information to himself for hours rather than telling me that a fucking dragon had been sighted near the palace. I’d given orders that any such sightings were to be reported to me at once. But this man thought he knew better.”
The guard bows down, his face to the paving stones. He’s sobbing; I can see his shoulders shaking.
“Perhaps I have not made it clear enough,” Rahzien continues. “The dragons should all be dead by now. But if one or two of them survived, and they come within range of your weapons, you have my royal command to shoot them down, immediately. Am I understood?”
The soldiers stamp and strike a salute.
“And to ensure you do not forget, witness the fate of this one who has disappointed me so deeply.” He clutches the man’s hair, tugging his head back, and draws a short, wide blade from a sheath at his belt.
Then he glances back at me. I can see the idea dawning in his eyes, the cruel smile tugging at his mouth.
Oh, no. Fuck no.
“You’ve been yearning to spill Vohrainian blood, haven’t you, Spider?” he says. “Now’s your chance.”
I shake my head, taking a step back.
Rahzien’s expression freezes into something ice-cold and dreadful. “What are you, Spider?”
“I am your pet.”
“That’s right. Obey me, and kill this disobedient worm.”
Last night, I would have let Zevin fuck me to spare Parma from death. But this is a line I cannot cross. And Rahzien intends to push me over it. I can see the determined fury in his eyes, the gleeful resolution to crush another part of my spirit.