I climb the dais with the impeccable posture Borin spent hours refining with me. Easing down on Zek’s knee, I arrange the long strip of thin fabric between my legs and clasp my handsin on my thighs. He pulls me back, and the brooch at my hip digs into the bone. I hiss and hold the two fabric strips running down my torso in place, making sure my breasts remain hidden from curious eyes.
Zek runs his hand along my hair until my head rests on his shoulder. “I’ve missed showing you off, Elle,” he whispers, his breath warm against my ear.
“The sentiment isn’t returned,” I mumble.
He clicks his tongue, and my gaze darts to his. With his fingernails gliding along my scalp, he takes in the expressions of those staring at us. His chest vibrates with a low rumble as he says, “Are you telling me you don’t miss the audience of a court? Look at the lust in their eyes. They may show up every day to please their king, but they also come hoping to see you. I can practically see the filthy thoughts they have about you. All I would have to do is eliminate one pesky rule, and they could have their way with you.”
“You’re disgusting,” I hiss.
“It might be entertaining to watch them rip into you.”
“I have a better idea. I can show them what it takes to castrate a king.”
His fingertips go from soft to sharp, his talons digging into the tender flesh of my thigh. “Too bad you’re a powerless, frail Cyffred again. I’ll peck out your eyes and rip your heart from your chest before you can lay a hand on my well-endowed cock.” He lifts his hips under me to emphasize his point, and I squirm to move away. “Come to think of it, I’m sort of sad that you are no longer a challenge for me. I’ll just have to find other ways to toy with you. I can always give you to Niko.”
From his place next to the throne, Niko snickers. His beady hazel eyes sear into me as his tongue peeks between his firm lips to wet them. I rip my attention away from him and stare ahead, not bothering to reply. Zek wants a reaction to manipulate, andNiko is all too happy to help him get it. We’ve played this game several times over the past weeks. Zek says the most repulsive things he can think of, and Niko flashes little signs, showing how happy he would be to act them out. I will my body to pretend it’s made of stone and hide any show of emotion. The last thing I want is for them to believe they’re winning. But they are.
I should be numb to it all—the curious stares of his court, the way Zek parades me like a trophy, the vile words he says simply to goad me on—but they bother me. Nightmares of Niko acting out the atrocious scenarios Zek whispers to me plague my sleep. They’re planting themselves in my subconscious, ensuring I never forget that they can overpower me at any moment. Even if I could ignore their words, I can’t forget the threat.
The double doors swing open, yanking me from my thoughts. A woman with cat ears peeking through short brown curls marches forward. Scuff marks litter her boots, and grease and dirt stain her pants. The air in the room buzzes with excitement, and greed-filled eyes follow her every move. She kneels and beats her chest, causing her ample cleavage to jiggle inside her leather bra. “Your Majesty,” she says, her tongue rolling the words in a thick accent.
“Jonna, it’s always a pleasure to have you barge into my court unannounced,” Zek says, one corner of his mouth tipping up. If it was any other shifter bursting through the doors, Zek would have their hide. But the dock’s manager knows she holds an elevated status with the king. She only comes to court for one purpose. She’s here to announce the delivery of stolen goods.
With a grunt, she stands and says, “The newest shipment of supplies is being unloaded as we speak. It’s a sizable load, and it should take us half the day to get it all up here. I think the ropes on the lift will need changing when we’re done. They’re wearing quickly.”
“A problem I’m happy to remedy,” Zek replies. “Tell me what you have for me today.”
“It’s an excellent haul. The ship was from Sara and making its way to the north. They had at least a hundred crates of fruit and a vast array of whiskey on board. I’m not too familiar with what makes a pretty dress, but they’re bringing up heaps of fabric. If anything, it will be good for kindling or to dress your pet.” I glare at her, shooting daggers that I wish would pierce her heart, but Jonna ignores me and continues. “The furniture is also impressive. The merchant who owned the ship had very expensive taste. Too bad they didn’t think of equipping the vessel with a few cannons. The Outlander captain said it was an easy steal. He confiscated the ship and the members of its crew that were worth a damn. They sailed back, leaving our ship behind to attack another they spotted in the distance.”
Zek nods his approval. “Good. Hopefully, it will be just as lucrative.”
“We should know in two days.”
“Nice work, Jonna.” The king holds out his hand and a page sets a sizable velvet bag in his palm. The contents make a tinny clank when he tosses it, and it lands at the dock manager’s feet. “That is for the Outlanders. Tell their captain that if the second ship is just as good, I’ll double the payment.”
“Will do, my king,” she says with a toothy grin before stomping out the door.
Zek’s lips move against my temple and pull into a smile. “I hope some of those fabrics are sheer. You take such pride in covering yourself. I’d like nothing more than to take that from you as well, to give all these eyes a glimpse of a former queen’s body.”
“If that’s how you wish to waste materials, so be it,” I say.
Zek smacks me on the outside of my thigh, and I gnash my teeth to fight back a yelp. He pushes me from his lap and says, “I’m done with you for the day. Go bore your friend.”
“You’re too kind, Your Majesty,” I mumble with a half-hearted bow.
He flicks his wrist at me, and I exit the throne room. The moment I’m in the hallway and the doors click shut behind me, I brace my hand on the wall. The raw emotion building up inside me releases on a heavy sigh. I can’t continue to do this—overlook the injustice, hold my head high under the weight of their mockery, and pretend the things said to me aren’t leaving gouges in my soul. I’ve filled those cracks with hope and fortified them with truth. But I’m running low on optimism and my certainty is wavering.
In times of self-doubt, I always clung to the words Micah spoke to me over and over again.You are destined for greatness, my precious girl.I could always hear his voice loud and clear. It was like no matter how terrible the situation was, he was always with me. These past weeks, I’ve held tightly to those words. They’ve been my lifeline in the raging sea of misery. But with every passing day, his voice is fading in the crashing waves, and I’m losing my grip. I fear he misplaced his faith in me. My destiny is no longer mine to mold. The path before me leads to nowhere. I’m shackled to this kingdom, and it’s pulling me under and slowly drowning me in despair.
I gasp for air, trying to anchor myself by digging my nails into the hand-woven tapestry lining the wall and focusing on the burning candles. Tears sting my eyes and a suppressed sob clogs my throat.Keep breathing, Raelle. Just keep breathing.With each inhale and exhale, a calm washes over me, pushing back the gloomy waters. One lungful of air then another, and my mind clears. The panic recedes, giving way to reason. My calling is more than being the queen of half a kingdom or rescuing myfather. I’m meant for more than killing the woman who stole the lives of so many or restoring a kingdom under its rightful heir. I was made to fight for what is right and to love one man wholeheartedly. My purpose is to show every person in my kingdom that they are worth more than the state of their gift. Dormant or active, they’re a vital piece of Pliris.
“You are destined for greatness,”Micah says, his voice so clear that I swear he’s beside me.
I look out the window across the hall and take in the sight of the sea. “I’m trying to be what you believed I am,” I quietly say, hoping he’s somewhere out there and can hear me, and knowing he won’t respond.
The merchant ship docked at the pier catches my attention. People walk back and forth carrying boxes and stacking them in the sand. Another group gathers the supplies and heads through the thick canopy of trees, bringing them this way... to a lift. A lift that moves between here and the ground. A lift that will be used again in two days.
I push away from the window and hurry toward my room. Flinging open the door, I stop dead in my tracks. Ashavee and Ulric stand face to face, eyes burning into each other and faces red with fury. Their heads whip in my direction as I ask, “What’s going on?”