I swallow, trying to breathe. “Dimitri. What are you doing here?”
“What do you think I’m doing? My love, I’m paying you a visit.”
“What do you want?”
Dimitri steps from the head of the bed, keeping the knife in place as he moves. “The truth?”
“That would be novel for you, wouldn’t it?” I hiss, unable to help myself despite the blade.
He smiles, but it’s a chilling expression. “I was going to kill you and your prince. Originally, I had hoped to catch you together. I assumed you would have married by now.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to hide my fear.
“But it seems you’re all alone. I’ve watched you for days, and your Prince Disgrace is nowhere to be found.”
His eyes go wide with mock surprise when I don’t answer. “He didn’t want you?” He laughs. “You left me for a man who didn’t want you when you could have stayed with one who did?”
“You didn’t love me, Dimitri.”
He leans down, his eyes wild. “I did,” he says vehemently. “I would have done anything to keep you.”
“Except give me back the changeling stone.”
He slams his fist against the wooden bed frame. “Always the stone, Anwen!”
“If you’re going to kill me, then do it.”
He narrows his eyes. “You don’t think I will?”
His hand shakes. A trickle of hot blood trails down my throat. Suddenly, he growls and throws the knife across the room. It falls to the floor with a clatter that echoes off the walls. He grabs my shoulders, and I don’t move. I’m more scared of the look in his eyes than I was of the knife.
“He’s left you.” His eyes search mine. “We can be together, Anwen.”
Startled, I begin to shake my head. His hands tighten on my shoulders, and he shakes me hard. “Don’t you see! We’re supposed to be together!”
“Please, Dimitri,” I whisper. “Let go. You’re hurting me.”
He softens his grip only slightly. “It’s still because ofhim, isn’t it? You’re still in love withhim. It doesn’t matter,” he says when I don’t answer, and he laughs. “He’sdead by now. Once I saw you were apart, I sent men to finish him.”
My breath catches. “What do you mean?”
He leans forward. “Your prince is dead.”
I go cold, but I shake my head. “He’s a knight. You think your men can kill him?”
“No, they probably couldn’t.” He smiles like we’re having a civil afternoon conversation. “But assassins can.”
My stomach lurches, and the room spins. Dimitri laughs quietly, and he draws my startled self toward him, wrapping his arms around me in an embrace.
My cheek brushes the trim on his vest, and when it does, a rage unlike anything I’ve ever felt courses through me. I jerk away and make to gouge his eyes, like Galinor taught me, but Dimitri anticipates my move and grabs my wrist before I can make contact.
“Stop fighting it.” His breath is hot on my face. “You will be mine.”
I fight, freeing my wrist. “I’d rather die.”
Dimitri’s eyes narrow, and then his hands wrap around my throat. “You’d rather die than be with me?” His hair falls in his face, and his shoulders shake.
He pushes me back. I’m pressed against the bed frame, and though I don’t know how to free myself, I struggle against him.
