Casimir is a breath away. He watches me and not the king. Not my mother. Me.
Bramwell and Ashton are not far behind him. Bramwell’s fingers curl into Ashton’s shoulder, keeping him in place. The boy’s entire body quakes, his cheeks red with anger. Ashton has hardly reached adulthood, and now he is to watch his mother die at the hand of his father. How wicked is life?
All around us, the atmosphere changes, magic trickles in through the cracks in the walls, and jittery anticipation fills the air.
Death tastes like ash on the back of my tongue as the Wild Hunt answers their call.
11
Violence
The universe pullsus through the wind, guiding our paths to what I can only hope will be the fastest death I’ve ever witnessed. Jeriko lands first. The tension in the room is eating at me before I’m even fully there. When my vision comes into focus, my stomach drops.
Those gathered stare down on us, not seeing us but seemingly waiting for us all the same. The bright lighting is harsh on my eyes. My father cocks his head to the side as his attention lands on Cameron once again.
“I knew a simple loss of life would be all that was needed to get your attention, daughter.”
His fist twists into my mother’s long hair, arching her back until the pale column of her throat is exposed to the knife he holds tightly. The blade’s already bloody.
“Face me with respect, Violence.” He jars her thin body back against him. With a jolt of power, I appear in an instant. The three of the Wild Hunt exchange a surprised look. My chin tips up to the king, my gaze holding his. It doesn’t reflect any of the worry that’s flooding me.
Quick breaths fill my lungs as I try to hold on to a look of fearlessness. Even if anxiety threatens to shake through my limbs.
My mother is one woman in a mass of many in his life. She’s nothing to him. But to me, she’s the only person who never stopped loving me. She fought to keep me here with her.
She failed.
“Violence.” My mother smiles weakly.
A ragged breath at my side shakes from my brother Merrick. He doesn’t return my questioning look as he stares our father down, fists clenched at his side, blood running from a cut that splits his forehead. What had happened in the few minutes we were gone?
“I love you.” Her mouth forms the words, but her voice is weak and too soft to hear.
“You could have just asked.” King Melic’s words are lazy, as if he isn’t on the brink of committing murder in front of the eyes of his court. Something about the way he speaks is different, deeper, more hoarse than yesterday. “Tell me what you were searching for.”
I force myself not to look to Cameron. Nollix shifts, his body skimming mine slightly as if he might shield me from my own father.
“I was looking for succession documents,” I say without thought. “No need for these dramatics.”
It’s a terrible lie.
But it’s the only one I have.
“Why?” His eyes narrow on me, searching my features for the truth.
“Have you even considered who will rule our people once you’re gone? Surely it wouldn’t be Merrick, would it?” As if they’ve never imagined this cruel man’s death, a nice collective—slightly dramatic—gasp slips through my brothers at the back of the room. Goddess, do they need a hobby. “The thief said I could find the succession paperwork and have it altered in my favor.”
I know I have Merrick’s attention now. He studies me, his eyes flickering between me and the confused Witch at my side.
“You think you’re fit to rule the Court of Darkness? A woman?” A sneer slices through the king’s features, but he lowers the knife just slightly away from my mother’s smooth skin. I can almost breathe with the knife farther away from her now. Even if I’m starting to wonder if my own life is in jeopardy.
There’s a terrible balance that I have to keep here. My mind races for ideas of how to save us all. None of them hold any hope.
“I have no intention of leaving my people any time soon, Violence.” His lips purse. The way he’s looking at me sinks a horrific feeling to the pit of my stomach. It’s eating at my insides with fear and anticipation.
Whatever grip I had on this situation is quickly slipping from my hands, falling through my fingers like tiny particles of sand.
“Your mother, on the other hand, isn’t in the best of health.”
