Free Web NovelChapter 24: Chapter 24
The amphitheater was filled with rows of sharp-eyed nobles draped in expensive fabrics and embroidered silks. Circe felt their scorching stares as she struggled to catch her breath. She had never seen so many of them gathered in one place at a time. How many of them were like prince Hairan, how many of them betted against her survival?
At the very center of them was the queen. She cut a very striking figure in a deep red gown. The color contrasted perfectly against her pale skin, like blood upon snow.
There was no way of knowing if the queen had noticed her or not. A harsh shove sent Circe stumbling forward before she could entertain another thought.
" Move!" She heard Irah grumble behind her. Circe found her footing before she could topple over completely. She was still slightly out of breath from her encounter with Hairan so it took her a little longer to right herself. Once she did, she spun on Irah and shoved the woman hard enough to send her flailing.
" Don’t. Ever. Touch. Me." Circe said, enunciating each word.
The queen had certainly noticed her now.
The crowd of nobles gave a collective gasp but the queen remained unfazed. She could practically hear their thoughts. How could she, a filthy human, disrespect the queen’s chief lady in waiting in such a manner? All eyes turned to the queen, awaiting the judgment she would cast upon Circe for such transgressions but the queen held her silence, thoughts unreadable.
Not even a twitch of her lips gave away her emotions.
Chest still heaving, Circe stepped past Irah like she hadn’t attacked the woman in the presence of the entire royal court.
Vampires were physically stronger than humans so Circe’s push, regardless of how forcefully it was, hadn’t been able to knock Irah to the ground. Circe wished it had though, she wished Irah had fallen on the stone floor hard enough to crack open her skull. At least then whatever punishment she got for her action would be justified.
She climbed the stairs that led up to the queen’s row. There was a special portion of the amphitheater reserved for the royals. Queen Nheera’s pale eye tracked Circe’s every move as she approached.
Surrounding the queen were the twin princes and the rest of her ladies in waiting, four impeccably dressed women that took turns engaging the queen in conversation, waving paper fans as they exchanged smiles with one another.
No one stopped Circe’s approach and she had to believe it was the queen’s doing. When she got close enough, she fell to her knees before the queen. Bile rushed up Circe’s throat at the action but she forced it back. Her stomach churned with disgust so she kept her head down to hide the emotions on her face.
The ladies in waiting had gone quiet now. Circe had even managed to garner the attention of both Prince Azul and Prince Jayran.
" Forgive my impudence. My behavior was unacceptable." Circe said, head still bowed low. She could feel the queen’s gaze coasting over every inch of exposed skin.
" Yes, it was." The queen finally spoke. " But I can’t say that she didn’t deserve it. Come, sit beside me."
Circe rose slowly to her feet and scanned the space around the queen. There were only two vacant seats, one on Nheera’s right and the other to her left. Circe chose the one to the left. Every move she made, every twitch of her limbs was heavily monitored, not just by the queen but also by everyone else present.
" Do you know why we are all gathered here today?" The queen asked Circe as she lowered herself down on the plush seat.
Circe didn’t want to answer. Didn’t want the queen to know how oblivious she truly was. It was a matter of pride more than anything else. But something told Circe the queen already knew. No detail escaped Nheera’s watchful gaze.
Circe looked away before answering. " I’m afraid I don’t."
The queen smiled. " You will understand it all soon. It won’t be long."
It sounded like a threat. A blade wrapped in velvet.
A tall shadow cast over them, followed by a chillingly familiar voice. Someone else joined their row. Circe’s pulse pounded a frantic rhythm.
" Who do we have here with us, mother?" Hairan’s voice floated over to her.
" Have you forgotten about Ragnar’s wife so quickly?" The words were from one of the twins but Circe couldn’t tell them apart.
Hairan gave a beatific smile. " I only remember things of true importance." He glanced straight at Circe and his smile turned sharp. The look sent shivers down her back. " I don’t think we were ever truly introduced, we’re family after all. My name is Prince Hairan Acheron."
She didn’t give him her hand and he didn’t bother taking it. What’s going on? Why was he acting like he didn’t threaten her in the tunnel?
From the corner of her eyes she watched him settle into the last empty seat by the queen’s right. He was the queen’s first born and most likely the first in line to the throne. It wouldn’t bode well for her to make enemies with the future king of Lamora but it didn’t mean she would let him or anyone else walk all over her. She would defend herself and even fight back but only when the situation truly called for it.
It was what her mother would have done in her situation. Her father, on the other hand, wouldn’t have allowed himself to be captured in the first place.
Noise from the crowd snapped her out of her thoughts. A man stood in the arena, looking up at the gathered nobles with a wide performative grin but his attention was directed at the queen. Nheera was the center of everyone’s focus. When the man spoke, he did so in their native tongue, a language Circe did not understand but it sent a thrum of excitement through the crowd. They clapped and jeered.
They all knew something she didn’t. Circe was the only one who didn’t know what came next.
The announcer suddenly pointed a finger straight at her. Circe stiffened but otherwise she didn’t react. But the action made the noise double in its intensity.
Someone else stepped out from the tunnel. Tall and with broad shoulders, his hair styled in a warrior’s braid. Ragnar approached the announcer with purposeful strides.
Circe sat up straight at the sight of him. He didn’t look her way. He didn’t look at the queen.
The sense of foreboding she felt earlier had returned with a vengeance. Anxiety numbed the tips of her fingers. She couldn’t feel anything except for her pounding pulse.
The queen rose from her seat and the entire congregation went completely silent. Circe’s breaths sounded almost deafening in the quiet that ensued. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
" Today, we are all gathered here to witness something great." The queen began. She spoke in the common tongue. " Today, we honor our culture and the practice of those that came before us. Together we honor the law of Marzen."
At her words a vicious growl pierced the air. The sound shook the structure. The announcer swiftly retreated from the arena but Ragnar remained. His gaze swiveled around, searching for the source of the sound.
The amphitheater had four entrances, one at the north, south, west, and east. Most of the crowd had come in through the west entrance. Circe and the royals had followed the east entrance route.
The north entrance was sealed shut with a heavy metal gate. The gate creaked as it rose upward, bit by bit.
Ragnar took measured steps back as the growling drew closer. He pulled out his sword from its scabbard, holding it at the ready. Circe could see the determination in eyes. He looked like a man ready to fight, a man ready to die.
Why wasn’t he leaving the arena? Circe’s hands were shaking now. It was terror of the unknown, a strange sort of emotion. She glanced at everyone around her. Why weren’t they as concerned as she was? ƒreewebɳovel.com
A scream lodged in the back of her throat when a massive beast emerged from the north entrance.
The creature was a towering, fearsome beast with a muscular, lupine build, covered in a thick coat of gray fur. Its skin was a pale, stony gray, the same shade as its fur, textured like ancient marble. Two massive, gnarled horns protruded from its head, curving menacingly and framing a snarling visage marked by glowing red eyes and a maw full of jagged teeth. Its limbs are powerful and sinewy, ending in clawed hands and feet capable of rending stone. A long, serpentine tail, thick and furred, coils behind it like a living whip,
On four legs, the beast stood as tall as Ragnar. It growled as it approached. It lurched suddenly towards him but Ragnar veered to the side before the beast’s claws could make contact.
" What is the meaning of this?" Circe asked. She turned to found amusement dancing in the queen’s eyes.
" This, my dear Circe, is the way of our people."
It was barbaric and cruel. Her whole body was trembling.
" But this... Ragnar could die."
The queen lifted her chin. " Then so be it."
