I shiver, a chill slipping down my spine like melting ice. If there’s something darker and more powerful than him, I can only hope it stays content in the ether. But knowing Sadal, he might raise whatever darkness it is to destroy Alnembra completely – and then the rest of the Fae kingdoms.
Holding the dagger in my hand brings me some comfort. Right now, it’s useless against Sadal, but soon it will be enough to defeat him. I hope. I’m almost finished with my enchantment, but it’s a complex spell. Nakarr has seen me steal supplies from the Bloodbane tent three times now, and each time she merely grins at me. I frown to myself, staring at the tent wall. I’m lucky she hasn’t reported me, but I doubt she ever will. She seems to enjoy watching me spiral further into my thirst for revenge.
I close my eyes, summoning the cold, quiet anger that’s settled in my chest since I watched Altair plummet to the ground. He’s dead, I remind myself. He’s dead and it’s my fault for letting myself drift away when I was the one who could have saved them all. I picture Sadal’s leering grin when he returned after murdering Altair. My anger swells in my chest and I clutch the dagger tighter. Three evil people will be the victims of this cold fury when my enchantment is finished. Sadal first, in front of all his beloved brides so their hearts will break when he bleeds out in front of them. Maaz next, crumpled beside Sadal. And then me.
Suddenly, I hear fabric rustling and see silvery light slice into the room as the door opens. I close my eyes, relaxing my features so I look fast asleep. Soft footsteps approach and I recognize Sadal’s gait. My heart pounds with mixed emotions of anger and fear. This is the first time he’s come to the tent without Maaz. The first time the two of us are alone together in the heavy gloom of night.
The bed dips as he slips into it. I feel the blankets shift and I know he’s beside me. I can feel power radiating from him. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end, nerves heightened as he sidles closer to me. I clench my eyes closed, forcing my lips to part rather than twisting them in a fearful grimace.
My palms are slick with the cold sweat of fear. I relax my grip on the dagger, hoping Sadal won’t notice it beneath my pillow. It’s all I have. He sighs, a hand slipping over my hip and running along my ribs. I nestle deeper into the pillow, wishing I could slip the knife into his heart here and now. But my spell isn’t ready yet. He wouldn’t die, he would just be pissed off.
So, I let him run his elegant fingers over my body. I fight the nausea welling within me and the urge to tear away from him, screaming. Sadal’s body eases closer to mine. When he presses his chest against my back, I feel no warmth, no heartbeat.
“I know you’re awake, little Verity,” he purrs. I don’t move, hoping he’ll fall for my ruse if I can only ignore him. “Have you wondered why I’ve waited so long to join you? Why I’ve waited to consummate our covenant?”
I can’t help the shudder that washes over me. I bite back the bile rising in my throat as I try to imagine the ritual he forced me to do. I can’t remember it. I don’t remember kneeling in the Well in the Holy Rite. I don’t remember letting his blood soak through the thin, white shift I would have worn. I don’t remember speaking the words. And I don’t remember letting him take me in his own blood.
“I don’t know if I can wait any longer,” he continues, his deep voice rough and needy. His hands rove over my breasts and I clench my eyes shut. My breath is trapped in my throat, panic flooding through me as his fingers tweak at my breast.
“Stop it,” I whisper, breathing shakily. His hand slips down my belly, towards my hips. I wrench away from him, trembling violently and almost toppling out of the bed. “Stop it!”
He rises onto one elbow and leers at me. “What’s wrong, Verity? Honeymoon jitters?”
I shake my head and clamber uneasily from the bed. I feel violated, exposed, and almost naked in the thin nightgown I wear. I drag the Bloodbane cloak from a nearby chair and wrap it around myself. “Don’t touch me,” I hiss, meeting his gaze. I glare at him, trying to look strong even though my knees are shaking.
In one swift move, Sadal is in front of me. His tunic is loose, exposing his chiseled chest, and his trousers are unbuttoned. I take a hesitant step back and almost trip over a chair. He narrows his eyes and grips my chin in his hand. Pain throbs as he squeezes me, pulling me closer to him. I stumble but catch myself before falling into his chest.
“You would deny me?” He asks coldly.
“I don’t want you,” I say through gritted teeth. “I don’t love you. Don’t ever touch me.”
He flashes his teeth at me in a cruel grin. “You think love has anything to do with it?”
I curl my hands into fists at my side. “It does to me,” I hiss.
“That’s where you’re wrong, sweet, innocent Verity.” Sadal strokes a hand down my ribs, lingering at my waist. His eyes close as he touches me softly and then they fly open, filled with fire and passion. I can’t help the jolt of electricity that flows through me as his eyes drink me in. “See, Verity, love is meaningless. Your body has betrayed you.”
I jerk away from him, but
