Page 114 of A Deception of Courts
I dug my teeth into the inside of my lip until I could taste blood. Duncan shuffled nervously behind me, likely sensing as Aldrick forced his presence back through our minds. I wondered what the Mariflora would show him. Whatever it was, he withdrew briskly and showed no signs of distrust toward us.
“Are you well?” Aldrick rasped. “I sense a sombre mood that follows you.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, forcing my voice to sound like anything but my own. Eroan’s glamour didn’t run that deep. “I mean you no disrespect. I suppose locating the right words proves difficult when faced by you. After all this time, I never thought I would have made it back.”
“I never doubted you,” Aldrick replied. “Without your efforts, I would never have made it out of Lockinge.” My mind sang with his forced entry. “You have been there every step of the way to ensure we are not stopped. I understand the weight of a lie, and you have been buried by them.”
It stung, even now, to know how deep Kayne’s deception had rooted, and for how long. “I did what I had to.”
“That you did, and with the return of Duwar, you will be a general of the highest order. It is your reward for your persisting loyalty.”
Lucari eyed me from her perch on Aldrick’s arm. Her talons pierced his flesh but didn’t draw blood. Aldrick didn’t care or seem to notice.
“Come, kneel before me, let me see you for the saviour you are.”
I stepped in closer, feigning admiration, whilst I prepared myself to finish him. There was nothing stopping me from killing him, no Hunter stepped in my way.
The few Hunters who had come into the room couldn’t stop me or my power. I sensed Duncan’s energy as though it buzzed around my ears. Part of me wondered if it was my imagination or if his own electrifying power leaked into the room’s atmosphere.
“Wait,” his inner voice cut sharp. I snapped my body, forcing myself to stop before I revealed that he had no sway over me.
I couldn’t help but feel like he was testing me, or playing with me like food on a plate.
“Yes, Master?”
“I wish to show you something,” Aldrick announced. “Would you entertain an old man?”
I kept rigid at the stop. “I couldn’t refuse you.” At least until he gave me the command, then I’d use it and act.
“No, you could not.” There was no denying the force to his magic, as though he willed to bend me to his command. I had to pretend it had that effect, otherwise, he would catch me out before I had the chance to strike.
“Bring the Icethorn’s body,” Aldrick spoke to the Hunters carrying Kayne. “Let us show our guests what their efforts have aided in.”
Lucari shot away from Aldrick but didn’t return to me. In fact, she flew in circles around the room just to stay away. I waited for Aldrick to notice, but he was focused on the sudden appearance of more Hunters who moved, emotionless, to the back of the throne and pushed it. To my surprise, it moved. Wooden wheels screeched across the slabs as Aldrick was wheeled toward me. I hardly moved out of the way before one wheel ran straight over my foot.
He really was physically weak. A hint of the man I’d faced before, no threat besides his ideals and magic. Both of which I was firmly protected from.
“I don’t much like surprises,” I said, the words tumbling out of me. “Take Robin as proof of that.”
Duncan inhaled sharply.
Aldrick raised a shaking hand, flecked with liver spots. Those pushing his wheeled throne stopped. He was now at my side, between Duncan and me. From his perch among the mounds of blankets, he glared directly into my eyes.
I refused to look away. He was so close that I couldn’t breathe without inhaling the stale stench. If I reached out my hand and touched his thin skin, I would’ve allowed my ice to devour him.
I lifted my hand slowly. Duncan moved, but I couldn’t care why. Not as I focused on Aldrick, who watched me expectantly.
“The gate should be no surprise to you,” Aldrick said, so suddenly I almost stumbled back.
Gate? I couldn’t let the surprise show on my face, but Altar knows it raced within me. But Rafaela had shown me the gate was on Irobel, protected by her people. “Oh, of course. I would like to see it.”
“Then come, see what I have forged whilst you have been collecting the third piece of my puzzle.”
My legs betrayed me. I couldn’t dare so much as lift my eyes from the spot on the floor where Aldrick had only just been.
“Perhaps I will allow you to be the one to pierce the Icethorn’s flesh. We will watch as the third key is bound, and my gate weakens with its addition.”
“And it works, this gate of yours?” I asked as dread sliced its fingers down my spine. I couldn’t control the bite of panic that coated each word like thick honey.
