Page 23 of Scourged
Her face was so achingly, painfully, beautifully familiar. But it was also … changed. Her skin had lost its bright pallor, no longer capable of that flush he loved so much, her cheeks gauntand her expression haunted and broken. Her mouth was gagged, and her clothes were torn and filthy, her body bound and tied in a kneeling position on the cold marble floor.
She became all he saw. The center of his entire being. He pushed against his binds with an internal roar that might’ve ripped his soul in two.
If he even had a soul left to cleave.
But just like that, with hardly a whisper of effort, the wave of shadow and darkness that had held him captive for what could’ve been an eternity washed over him again, dragging him back deep beneath the surface and wiping the images of the broken girl with dull green eyes from his consciousness.
“Your little queen is nothing to you, and the more you fight me, the more I shall prove it.”
The parting words, spoken in a masculine voice as dark and eternal as the shadows stretched by the sun at dusk, chased him into oblivion.
Chapter 9
“Iwould be glad to arrange an extra shipment of grain to the capital, My Lady,” the merchant droned, “however, my clients will require assurances that the threats to the city will not result in an uncompensated loss to their crops.”
Ciana nearly rolled her eyes.Yes, let’s allow an entire city under siege to starve. Wouldn’t want to record a loss on this season’s books.
“We can assure you, sir.” Delaynie sat forward at the table. “All steps are being taken to protect the city and its occupants. Whatever guarantees your clients need, we would be happy to make them.”
Ciana drummed a finger against her leg. At least Delaynie had her wits about her today.
“Yes,” she finally said, grabbing her fidgeting hand with the other. She forced a smile as she met the merchant’s stare. His dark eyes narrowed at the two women. “Whatever is necessary. We only want to keep the people of the city fed during this time of turmoil.”
The merchant regarded them both before he sniffed. “There are rumors floating about that the Queen Apparent is no longer in the city, abandoning Verith at its time of greatest need.”
Ciana stiffened, a whirlwind sweeping through her chest.
It wasn’t the first time one of these fat merchants had made suggestions about Mariah’s disappearance. It came up now in nearly every conversation, however few and far between they’d become.
And Delaynie, ever the practiced politician, gave the same answer every time.
“Rumors certainly spread like wildfire, good sir. But Queen Apparent Mariah is not yet coronated, and Queen Ryenne is more than capable of securing the city, as is her responsibility until the ascension occurs.” She gave the merchant a cool smile as icy as her tone.
The merchant grunted. “And why hasn’t the Queen Apparent been coronated? This must be one of the longest transitions Onita has seen.” He scratched his chin. “The people are anxious to see a strong queen on the throne once again. That they haven’t, well … many have begun to worry if there is an issue. With suitability.” He smiled wildly, revealing teeth stained by a life of excess.
“What are you suggesting?” Ciana demanded. The maelstrom in her heart spun faster, and she almost stood from her seat, almost leaped across the table.
She fuckinghatedthese men and theiropinions.
“I am sure the good sir is not suggesting anything untoward about our Queen Apparent. He wouldn’t dare be so brazen before members of Her Highness’s court.” Delaynie pinned him with her sharp, cutting stare. “Would he?”
The merchant lifted his hands in mock surrender but still wore his sour smile. “Of course, My Lady. I’m simply alerting you both to what is said amongst the common folk. I imagine it isstuffy up here, tucked away in your mountain palace, and I view it as an obligation to keep you informed.”
“Thank you for the gesture, sir,” Ciana ground out, not meaning a single word.
The merchant grinned wider and pushed back from the table.
“Well.” He rose from his seat, Ciana and Delaynie following suit. “It is always a pleasure meeting with you lovely young ladies. I must return to my offices. Expect correspondence from me in the next few days, detailing the amount of grain available and what securities we will require importing it to Verith.”
With one more greasy smile and nod, the merchant shuffled from the room, followed by the Guardsman who’d been stationed by the door, heavy oak slamming shut behind him.
Delaynie collapsed back into her chair with a huff, slouching into the seat, the perfect lady vanished. “I fuckinghatethat man.”
Ciana choked a meager laugh. “Just when you think they can’t get any worse.” She remained standing, twisting her hands, that cyclone in her gut beginning to spread into her limbs.
“Hey,” Delaynie murmured. Ciana turned to her friend, finding Delaynie’s ice-blue stare locked on her. “You okay?”
“Yes. No. I … I don’t know.” Ciana slumped, returning to her chair and dropping her head into her hands. “I just hate this.Allof this. This entire fucked up situation.”