Page 26 of Balor
“I’ll never wear his mark. I’d rather die, Anne-Marie. The child I carry is my husband’s.” Okay, so a small lie. But she wouldn’t know that. “We were planning to have an official bonding and wear each other’s marks, but my father put a wrench in our plans.”
Of course, I was assuming there would be a mark. I still wasn’t sure what a bonding with him would require. We hadn’t really had time to discuss it.
Her eyes widened. “Your father wants what’s best for you, and that’s you being here with the coven, or joining another.”
“I didn’t realize my father intended to use me as a broodmare. If they can’t strip the child’s magic from me, and purge this baby, then I’ll be dead in a few weeks. Maybe sooner.”
Anne-Marie’s lips twisted in a cruel smile. “You always were weak. You were given everything. All I’ve ever wanted was to earn a place of honor.”
I arched a brow. Well now. It looked like she was finally going to show her true colors. It seemed my friend was actually my enemy, and I’d been none the wiser. “You want to be my father’s whore? Because that’s what you’ll be if you want a higher place. You think he hasn’t bedded every woman in the coven? He’ll drain your magick, then get rid of you once you aren’t useful.”
She paled. “That can’t be true.”
“Ask your mother. Or one of the others old enough to know what goes on. I’m sure they’ll confirm it. I never wanted any of it. I’d rather live a quiet life than have all of this.”
I lifted my chin, my gaze locking on hers. “I know you envy me, but I don’t know why. I’d rather die than live a life of forced servitude and unhappiness. I want a chance at happiness, and that means leaving this coven. I don’t want the crown. I never did.”
Anne-Marie’s eyes narrowed. “You’re a coward.”
I shrugged. “Maybe. But I won’t apologize for doing what’s best for me and my baby.”
She took a step closer, her expression hardening. “Do you know what I’d give to have the life you’re throwing away? What I’d be willing to do?”
I was starting to have an inkling. “My freedom isn’t worth much if I’m nothing more than my father’s pawn. I’d give anything to be free of him. Even if it meant living on the streets. To be free… I’d do anything.”
Her lips pressed together, and she turned to leave. She paused in the doorway. “If you won’t take the crown, then who will?”
I swallowed hard. “I don’t care, as long as it isn’t me or my baby.”
She turned to look at me. “Your baby?”
I nodded. “The power my child has… it’s incredible.”
Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
I shook my head. “I can’t explain it. I just know the child inside me is more powerful than anyone we’ve seen in a long time.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re lying.”
I shook my head, the motion making me dizzy. “I’m not.”
Her jaw tightened, and she paced the room. I needed to convince her and find a way to get her to help me. Even if it meant tricking her into believing it would also help her.
“I doubt my father will let me leave, but I’ll find a way to get out of here. I’ll go back to Balor, and I’ll make a life with him. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my baby safe. If you want my life, you can have it. I don’t want it.”
One of her eyebrows lifted. “You’d give me your life?”
“You want the crown. You want a place of power in the coven. You want a man like Eric.” I swallowed hard. “You can have it. All of it.”
“What are you saying?” she asked. “It’s not like you have the power to hand any of that to me.”
“If there’s a way to give you what you want, I’ll do it. I won’t marry Eric. But you could. You just need to convince him you’re the better choice.”
She walked over to me, and her fingers brushed my shoulder. “What would you give to be happy?”
“Anything.”
Her lips twisted. “Me too. Even if it means I have to kill you and your baby to do it. Just remember that, Belladonna. You aren’t the only one willing to do whatever it takes.”