The giants stare at me. “The Butcher and his Cleaver. Nice to see you both again. Where are the diamonds?” the prince asks.
"Where are the herbs?" I retort, bristling at the name I was called in the war. If Vann is affected, he doesn’t show it.
The prince grunts, his eyes flickering to Vann and then back to me. "We have brought them, as promised."
I look at the hunters who escorted them, and they nod. My gaze travels back to the First Prince, waiting for the samples he usually brings. He glares back at me for a minute before his eyes flick down to my teeth, then at the weapon in Vann's hand and the floating orb of lava in the back.
The tip of a spear as tall as me sticks into the entrance, and I grit my teeth.
The giant concedes as he calls out, “Tiny flea! In here now.”
I am confused.Flea? Why does he call to an insect?
Then, the voice starts up once more, and the truth horrifies me. Chains clink outside the door. The giants have brought a woman, after all. After a life as broken as mine, she walks into my life from Zlosa—my own personal hellscape. The laws that govern my people are clear: we do not keep humans under the mountain after freeing them.
When Keksej awkwardly turns his head to watch her, I am ready to stab the prince. He reaches out his hand to take the leash binding her to him. I’ll tear out his eyes for gazing upon her—forowningher. I know better than the other Enduares what the slaves endure at the hands of their masters.
Oh gods. Their teeth?
I freeze, enthralled by the sweet feminine voice that is undeniably in my head. Then I remember what I must look like with razor-sharp points in my mouth and glowing eyes. Humans never react well to the way that Enduares dress. She is able to see me before I can look upon her.
Hola?3I will use the meager human words I remember. From what I understand, mates do not hear every passing thought—only what is consciously spoken to their partner—but she is volatile, sending every thought my way, likely, without even knowing.
There is no response, but a small human woman enters the room. The Fuegorra begins to sing louder, a song that only the two of us can hear. Only she does not let me know she can hear, as her eyes are now focused on the ground. She did not like what she saw—I am a disappointment.
I do not share her feelings, I am heartbroken.
Her skin is filthy, and she is dressed in disgusting furs while carrying a box that is too large for her. Dark brown hair frames her light brown skin, but her eyes are hidden. She is small, but her chest and hips flare out in a way that is impossible not to notice.
Hello, beautiful one,I say, this time in the common tongue, keeping my expression stony and cold. Will she gaze upon me again and see past my brutal exterior now?
She takes a deep breath and looks up at me. In an instant, my world is shattered. Then I realize she still does not look at me with fascination but horror. Spatters of red cover her face. Every muscle in my body tightens, fighting to break through my carefully controlled exterior.
Hostia puta4,the beautiful voice says.He wants to eat me.
Her words wound me, but how can she see anything other than a monster when I bare my teeth like a beast? She has no crystal, and I see no matching mark glowing on the back of her dirty neck. Slowly, so slowly, she walks forward and places the box on one of the viewing tables.
“Open it, girl,” the prince spits out. I bristle and cross to my mate impatiently. It comes from a place of care, but I force myself to appear as if she disgusts me.
The woman flinches away when I undo the fastening at the top, causing the box flaps to fall open and reveal the different herbs we need for cures. Niue root for swelling, something they call eucalyptus, and elderberries are just some of the ingredients I find.
"Well? I've produced the samples. Show me the diamonds," the prince says, clearly irritated.
I tear my face from hers and growl at him. A surge of rage builds in the deepest parts of my body. The song is making me volatile.
Then turn back. “Vann, where are the diamonds?”
“Here.” My advisor gestures with one hand while he holds his ax in the other. I hear him direct the prince, and another giant tries to enter.
Luth shoots out a small stream of lava from the orb behind me. One of the giant warriors gasps when it sizzles his skin, causing the air to smell of burnt flesh.
"Damned cave rat,” he gripes, and my mate gasps.
I am acutely aware of the sound, but I refuse to look at her as Prince Keksej whips around with awkward movements. Everything is happening fast, and they'll hurt her if they notice my attention.
"You want to start a fight?"
I spit at his feet. "You know that only one of you is permitted at a time. Insult us again, and we will not hesitate to ensure you never return to our home."