Page 222 of Burn Her They Said
“I believe you said, ‘The only reason you are breathing is your royal title to the land upon which we stand,’ or something similar,” Malin says. “Then, ‘Otherwise, I would have obliterated you the moment Tasch was safely removed from your arms.’ Though I may have paraphrased parts of that. It was late, and I was tired.”
We all gape back at Malin until Varic’s laugh peals through the room. The joy in his exaltation becomes infectious, and my stomach muscles clench from the laugh which escapes me next.
My hand flies up to clamp over my mouth. The wrinkles on the sides of Varic’s eyes deepen as he gently pulls my hand down in refusal to allow me to hide my joy from him.
Cirrin joins in with his own chuckling, quickly followed by Fray. Whereas Malin seems to be unfazed while he stares back at Lars, who bites down on his lower lip until his own hearty laugh sounds from him.
I pull my hand free from Varic’s grasp to drop back on the pillow, then clutch my stomach with the uncomfortable soreness settling in the muscles. An unfamiliar sting after a lifetime of missing out on this deep sort of laughter.
A purple plume captures my attention, and I clamp my mouth shut as Malin’s power takes hold of the Prince’s letter and acts as an ethereal sort of escort, carrying the missive toward the flames dancing behind the grate in the fireplace.
All laughter ceases while we watch Prince Auden’s words disintegrate over the embers. Lars hugs his arms around Varic’s chest and runs him back to my vanity at the same time the locks on my door click, with the yellow plume of Danor’s magic granting the Emperor access.
He and his Guards stride inside while I sit up straight on the mattress.
“Up, witch,” the Emperor commands as he storms closer.
I turn and drop my legs over the side of the bed as Varic’s force-shield sluices up my skin.
The Emperor steps in beside me and his whole body practically vibrates with frenetic energy. His hand trembles as he snatches hold of my wrist, and my eyes flick to Varic in appreciation for his possession preventing the action from stinging. The Emperor yanks my arm so hard, it forces me to stand until his chest nearly brushes the amber veil over my own. His gray eyes erratically rove over my features, and I wish Varic’s shield could protect me from smelling the sulphur and wine on his breath.
“Did you fuck him?” Spittle sprays across my face, and I yearn to crush his heart with my magic so I might reach up and wipe his saliva from my face.
“I have never been intimately involved with anyone, Your Majesty.”
“Prince Auden!” he screams, lips wobbling.
“No, Your?—”
“Then why did he care about you?”
“I could not presume to guess, Your Imperial Highness.”
“Why would he save you and not his mother, unless you have become his whore?” He leans forward, forcing his forehead to mine. “Did you get on your knees for him, then? Perhaps you did not need to spread your legs to gain such loyalty.”
Varic pushes off from the vanity, and my heart lurches when he continues toward us. Malin’s purple magic rushes across the floor and winds up his legs to brace him in place. His eyes flick to Malin, and I hold my breath when bright amber sparks emit from his fingertips.
I send him a wave of compassion, then pull it back to focus on siphoning the roiling fury from his body. Because I can do this. I can hold enough for the both of us.
Black ink ripples over the back of his hand as he flexes his fist, and I pull in a breath as his blast magic slowly disappears.
“No, Your Majesty. I have never been intimate with anyone, in any way.”
His eyes narrow. “Then what privileged information did you give him?” His dominant snatches hold of my throat. “What military strategy did you divulge?”
I try to shake my head while his grip halts my motion.
“None, Emperor,” Varic states, and the tyrant spins to stare at him, as if he is not the strongest force sorcerer on the Continent.
Fear seeps through my defenses, remembering?—
Varic on his knees in the gravel, dark gray force magic piercing his chest.
The fear of it chokes me worse than the Emperor’s hand, squeezing as hard as he can around the shield before tearing his hold from my throat to charge at Varic.
“Her newest companion.” He presses the tip of his finger underneath Varic’s jaw to lift it, forcing Varic to look down his nose at our ruler. “You would know if she did or said something… inappropriate.” His lips curl up in a sneer. “You’re sure she did not fuck him?”
Sinister rage flashes across Varic’s face as the Emperor taunts him.
