Free Web NovelChapter 22: Chapter 22
He was backed into a tight corner, unable to move forward or back. Why was he being forced to defend a marriage he never asked for? Ragnar knew of these trials and its staggering death toll. If he participated he could die, if he didn’t he would lose his only leverage over Westeria.
Damned either way.
Was this the queen’s way of finally getting rid of him or just one of her humiliation tactics? Surely they all saw how absurd this all was. Surely one of them would speak up but when he looked back at the gathered lords and ladies, only their blank faces stared back at him, some could barely hide their glee. They weren’t on his side and even if they were, they were too afraid to publicly speak against the queen.
He fixed his gaze back on the high dais. The queen still lounged leisurely on her throne. She looked almost bored with the entire situation, calm like she didn’t just indirectly sign the death warrant of one of the king’s sons. She wasn’t worried because either way it wouldn’t reflect badly on her. If Ragnar accepted her terms and ended up being killed, it would be seen as a choice he made and if he forfeited, he would be labeled a coward.
For a second, his mask slipped and the rage and loathing he fought to conceal showed in his eyes. Strong emotions like that could get him killed and the queen would revel in being his executioner. The expression was gone the very next second like it was never there to begin with.
Laheir stared at him with detached interest. " You have a choice."
" Do I?" Ragnar shot back.
If Ragnar truly had a choice, none of this would be happening.
His words were met with Laheir’s reproachful look but Ragnar couldn’t bring himself to care.
" What will I be going up against?" Ragnar needed to know what he was getting himself into if he agreed to their terms. When; he corrected himself. It wasn’t an if but a when because he knew what his answer would be regardless. A part of him, the same part he fought hard to suppress, craved the thrill that came with the chaos despite how vicious and unpredictable it was.
Laheir glanced back at the queen. They shared another silent look. It was subtle but Ragnar was able to catch it when the queen shook her head imperceptibly.
The action made Laheir smile, a truly spine-chilling sight and a deep pit formed in Ragnar’s gut.
They weren’t going to tell him anything. His suspicions were confirmed by Laheir’s next words.
" I’m afraid you won’t be afforded such liberties. As you know the men before you weren’t offered the same." There was a sickly sweet quality to Laheir’s voice. The man was enjoying this and barely bothered to hide it, like the snake he was.
Ragnar didn’t know when his feet began moving, closer and closer to the dais until he stood toe to toe with Laheir. Ragnar was a head taller and the man had to crane his neck to meet his gaze.
Ragnar’s closeness was intimidating but there wasn’t a hint of fear in Laheir’s eyes. A smile still played on Laheir’s thin lips, a taunt. Laheir was older and had too much power and control over the kingdom to be rattled by Ragnar’s presence.
Ragnar knew that among everyone gathered, Laheir was the last person he should be antagonizing. The queen might have been on the throne because of her marriage to the king but everyone else knew who held true power. Laheir’s influence was second only to that of the king’s and Ragnar’s father usually let Laheir do as he pleased. But they saw Ragnar’s life as something to toy with for their amusement and he wanted to let them know he wouldn’t be their complicit victim.
A battle waged on behind his eyes, sense warring with emotions.
" Kingmaker," Ragnar took a single step back and gave Laheir a shallow bow. An insult that would have earned him a slap as a child. " I accept your terms."
Laheir’s mirth waned.
Ragnar turned to the crowd of lords and ladies. Their expressions had barely changed after hearing his words.
" I will willingly participate in whatever trial the queen has for me tomorrow." He only hoped his decision wouldn’t be what killed him.
****
Circe spotted the men riding towards the manor from a distance. She stood in front of Ragnar’s room window, the one facing the woods surrounding the manor. There were three men in total, their horse’s hooves pounding the dirt the closer they came.
She pressed her face closer to the glass and squinted her eyes to see if Ragnar rode among them but he was nowhere to be found. Those were vampires she had never seen before.
Were they from the palace? Why were they here?
Her mind was inundated with thoughts, each one more frightening than the last. She saw Kostia step out through the main entrance to meet them. Soon their voices drifted up to her. They spoke too fast for her to make out what they were discussing but one thing was clear amid the mess of muffled words and scattered thoughts. They were sent here by the queen.
Minutes later there was a sharp knock on the bedroom door. The sound made her heart leap into her throat. After a few seconds without a response, the knocking resumed.
Circe walked to the door and pulled it open, coming face to face with Kostia. She tried but could gleam nothing from his neutral expression.
" You have been summoned to the palace by the queen." Kostia said without hesitation.
Her stomach sank further. She wanted to ask the reason for the queen’s summons but she feared she wouldn’t like the answer she received. Disobedience wasn’t an option regardless. " Where is Ragnar?"
Kostia dipped his head. " His highness is most likely still in the palace."
She accepted his answer. It made sense. When she got to the palace she would seek him out. She despised Ragnar but her hatred didn’t stop her from recognizing that he was the only person that would willingly offer her protection in Lamora.
He promised.
Circe’s safety hinged on the word of the same man that destroyed her kingdom. She didn’t want to believe him but she watched him disarm an assassin for her and knew he would do it again if it came to it.
Her father would have called her stupid for believing Ragnar. Her father was a prideful man and having to depend on an enemy for protection would have sent him spiraling. But Circe had no choice.
She was who they said she was and they said she was a prisoner.
After saying goodbye to Rowen and promising to be back soon, Kostia led her to where the queen’s men stood waiting outside with their horses. She saw Casilo discussing with one of them. He turned away and walked in Circe’s direction when he noticed her.
" I can accompany you if you want."
" I would like that." Circe said. She didn’t really know Casilo, nor did she trust him but having a face she recognized around would help ease her anxiety.
A stable hand brought Casilo a horse and the next second, he was climbing atop the horse’s back. Once he was settled, he stretched out a hand to help her up the saddle.
She took it without complaint and sat in front of him.
The trip to the palace was long and just as uncomfortable as the time she rode with Ragnar. They didn’t ride at the same break-neck speed she was used to with Ragnar and they arrived at the palace just as the light from the sun began to wane.
Casilo dismounted first and held out his hand, this time to help her get down. She took it, accepting his help even though she knew she didn’t need it. Quick footsteps sounded behind them as Circe righted her dress and Irah Alder’s grating voice followed almost immediately.
Circe turned to see Irah closing the distance between them. Her face was arranged into a hateful sneer. Before she could reach Circe, Casilo moved to stand between them, blocking her from view.
" It’s always a pleasure to see you, Lady Irah." Casilo said before Irah could utter a single word.
" Your presence isn’t needed here, Mr Minovo. I lack the patience for your antics." Irah shot back in distaste.
" I don’t know what you mean, I’m simply here to accompany Prince Ragnar’s wife as she is still unfamiliar with the palace. You know how it is."
" No. I don’t." Irah said, deadpan. She had been born into Lamora high society, she didn’t think there was ever a time in her life that she wasn’t familiar with the palace and the inner workings that took place within its walls. " I’m here to escort Circe to her chambers." freeweɓnøvel.com
" No need. I will take her there myself." Casilo’s response came immediately.
Irah stared at him for a long while as though she could see through him, her silence somehow more agitating than her words. She relented with a huff and Casilo flashed her a smile. It dropped the moment she turned and walked away.
" I despise her." It was the most honest words Circe had spoken since stepping foot in Lamora. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
" You wouldn’t be the only one." Casilo said. " Come, it’s getting late. You must be exhausted."
She was but she wouldn’t tell him that. He walked ahead and she followed closely behind.
