Page 134 of Savage Throne
“I saw it.”
“Are you pleased?”
“I just want my days and nights to be normal.”
“You have power. Things will never be normal.”
“But is that how it truly works?”
“We’ll see, Monique. We’ll see.” He took a step back, creating some much-needed space between us. “However, I don’t want you to be mad at me. I’m sorry for last night. Please. . .forgive me.”
Those words hung in the air.
He moved his view to the box in his hand. “To apologize, I’ve brought you a gift.”
I eyed it suspiciously. “Why would you give me a gift?”
“Like I said. . .to say I’m sorry.”
“That can’t be the only reason.”
“Well. . .also because this is your special day and I want you to remember me always, just in case this ends up being mylastday.”
I gritted my teeth.
Just in case? Leo. . .you must die tonight.
He lifted the small velvet box in his hand, turning it slowly, as though presenting something holy.
My heart skipped a beat.
By now, I knew better than to trust him or any gift in his hand.
I thought back to the last gift he’d given me. When I opened it, I sawhis daughter’s severed head and her lifeless eyes staring back at me.
I stiffened, every muscle in my body on edge.
Leo must have noticed, because his smile softened, almost mockingly. “Don’t look so afraid, little monster.”
“Leo, please stop calling me that.”
“It suits you.”
I sneered. “I’m now the Mountain Mistress, so if you must call me something, then call methat.”
He blinked and then inch by inch widened that smile. “I like the tone in your voice. So commanding. So. . .laced with venom. Okay, Mountain Mistress. I will do my best to stick to that title, instead of our nickname.”
Our? I think not.
He continued, unbothered as ever. “Tonight is a moment in history, and you, Monique, are at the center of it. The first Mountain Mistress of the East to be forged in blood and crowned by death.”
He held the box out toward me, but I didn’t move.
My feet felt frozen to the floor.
“Take it,” his voice shifted to smooth as silk. “It’s yours.”
I shook my head slowly. “What’s in the box?”
