Page 49 of Between Smoke and Shadow
“Protocol states?—”
“Get in, Rune,” I repeat. I open the door and gesture for her to climb into the carriage. Dae lets out a sharp breath, but I ignore him until she’s inside. Only then do I turn toward my secondary guard. “Do not press me today, Dae. It will not end well for you.”
He nods, a sharp tilt of his chin. He doesn’t agree, but he’s not going to outright disobey.
“Do not enter until I call for you,” I say.
Then, I climb into the carriage and shut the door behind me. The carriage is comprised of three long benches, outlining the interior windows. Rune sits on the left side, Viana claims the center, and I take the right. My betrothed glares at her servant, as if repulsed by her simple existence.
“I thought I was clear,” I say. My voice is low, lethal. I wait for Viana to look at me before I continue. “I told you not to harm someone who cannot fight back.”
Viana blanches, and Rune visibly stiffens at my words. Though it takes all my conscious effort, I don’t let myself look at her. I focus only on Viana.
“My love, I assure you, I didn’t?—”
“I know exactly what you’ve done,” I say. I try to maintain a steady voice, but my anger is spitting out like overflowing water. “You gave me your word, and you broke it.”
“No,” she says. Her words choke, and she reaches for me, fingers trembling. I lean from her touch, using all my self-control not to shove her away.
“Consider our betrothal absolved,” I say.
She sucks in a sharp breath, flinching as though Ihaveshoved her. She’s still trembling, and now, large tears well and spill onto her cheeks.
“You can’t break a betrothal,” she whispers. Then, sucking in a raspy breath, she adds, “It was one mistake, my love. I promise. Never again.”
I line my teeth together, grinding them until they hurt. I know she’s lying about changing her ways, but I’m terrified she’s right about breaking a betrothal. I’m not sure it’s ever been done. I’m not sure the Committee will allow it…
I glance at Rune. She’s hugging herself, eyes bolted to the floor. She’s not crying, her mouth set in a determined line. I imagine she’s terrified, but she's doing her best not to show it, and I am again mesmerized. She’s wildly brave and relentlessly strong, and I’m desperate to find some of that power in myself.
“Our betrothal is absolved,” I repeat, facing Viana again. “Appeal the queen, if you wish, but I will not marry you. Perhaps Malek will take you—you certainly deserve each other.”
She lets out a sob, and if I didn’t know her cruelty, I’d feel bad for the way she shrinks now.
“My love?—”
“Your nothing,” I correct. Then, “You will leave this carriage. Tell them the truth, if you wish, or lie and say you’re feeling unwell. Either way, leave this carriage and never speak to me again.”
She’s fully crying now as she shoves to her feet. She throws open the carriage door and half-falls onto the wet cobblestone. It is only when she looks back, glaring expectantly at Rune that I realize she’s more deranged than I imagined possible.
Rune rises from her seat, only to stop when I place a hand on her wrist.
“She no longer serves you,” I say. “Now leave.”
Viana doesn’t respond. She whips away from me, stumbling across the courtyard and ignoring Dae’s call of concern. His head turns toward me, but I ignore him, giving Rune my full attention.
“Nobody will harm you again,” I tell her. Those blue eyes are on me, wide and terrified. I’m not sure she believes me now, but soon enough she will. “Anyone who makes the mistake of trying will suffer the consequences.”
Rune’s mouth hangs open, moving slightly as she searches for a response. Before she can, Dae appears at the carriage door.
“My prince?—”
“Don’t,” I say, cutting him off. Then, just before shutting the door, I add, “Let’s go.”
SIXTEEN
RUNE
Holy fuck.
