A Court of Water and Shadow

19

It was about midday when the land shook fiercely.

The girl's face paled, but she didn't show any sort of fear. That reaction was an impulse that nearly everyone around her had. They could all feel it—I knew that for certain. Even without a nervous system to feel, I could still sense the magic that had been used.

It was far to powerful for my comfort.

The girl's hand was frozen around a cup of water in the training room. Other novices started murmuring to themselves and Zagra's mouth hanged open in shock.

He instantly rushed over to the girl and grabbed the cup from her hands. Placing it down on the table next to her, a wide smile broke out on his face and he pulled her in for a tight hug. The girl's arms stilled in the air, then the softest brush of her hand on his back made me break a little.

When was the last time the poor girl was hugged?

As Zagra parted, he cupped her jaw in his hands. "They did it. The wall is gone." He murmured with a sigh of relief, then placed a kiss to her forehead.

The girl's mouth parted—the only hint of shock as Zagra grabbed her hand and led her through the castle and into the throne room.

Loud cheering met the girl's ears before the two of them entered, but as soon as they did, they were ambushed with a crowd of royal subjects. They all were congratulating the two of them as if they had any part in the wall coming down and slapping their backs as they made their way to the dais.

As soon as the girl picked her head up from the bow, she was met with eyes of ash. Eyes that saw victory and thirsted for more. She saw a grin that widened and begged to taste the blood of his enemies. She saw how red his pointed ears had become—no doubt thrilled to hear the future screams that his powers would draw forth in battle.

The man before her was a cruel king, but he was one that emanated power and wouldn't stop until his thirst was quenched.

A deep rumble of wicked laugher escaped the King as his head shook slowly back and forth. He stood from his throne and walked with a torturous pace to the two of them until he was a step away. "My son, my Prince, we will see freedom for our Kingdom very soon." His gaze landed on the girl. "My precious assassin, once this war is over, the three of us will be unstoppable."

"Tell us what you need us to do father." Zagra spoke with a powerful grace and a small smirk.

The King's grin widened. "Celebrate. I need you to guard the kingdom while I claim what's rightfully ours."

Zagra nodded once, then turned and winked at the girl. Once they were dismissed, the crowd around them returned to celebrating and the girl was steered towards a table filled with glasses of champagne. Zagra grabbed two and situated one in her hand.

He clinked his glass against hers. "To freedom." He spoke softly, his eyes crinkling slightly with his smile.

"To freedom." The girl echoed before downing her glass of champagne.

I don't think a toast couldn't be more ironic. Because what was the truth? After this war would the girl really be free? Would she get to step foot outside of Hybern? Would she get to see my friends again? Would they still be alive after this war?

I shoved the last thought far away from me as Zagra led the girl someplace more quiet.

He closed the door to the grand library softly, then turned to her with a wicked grin. "Evelyn you will look so pretty with a crown on your head."

If the girl was stunned by the statement, she didn't show it. I on the other hand, was completely freaking out. A crown? I mean, he's right, the girl would look stunning with a crown...on top of white hair, but there was no way in all of Prythian that the girl would be Hybern's Queen. She was their prisoner, nothing more.

The girl said nothing as Zagra slowly walked towards her, then twisted a strand of her black hair between his fingers. "You're quiet." He murmured with a calm expressions

"What did you want me to say to that?" She asked without a hint of any emotion.

A small smile grew on his face. "You know what I like about you?" Zagra waited a moment, then tucked the strand of hair behind her ear and cupped her jaw with one hand. "I like that you're quiet. It always makes me wonder what's going on in that pretty little head of yours. Too many females seal their fate by saying the wrong thing, but you...you're perfect Evelyn." Zagra slowly dragged her mask down until it rested below her chin, then dragged his thumb over her bottom lip. "So perfect, that I know you'll be just as perfect as my Queen some day."

Then, with a careful tenderness, Zagra leaned in and kissed the girl. It was slow and exploratory at first—nothing like what had happened the last time. Another first, Zagra's hand instantly came up to caress the girl's breast. At the feeling, instinct kicked in and the girl gently pushed Zagra away from her.

He let out a deep chuckle, then threaded a hand through his hair. "You know you want this Evelyn. We've stood by each other for years now and I find you irresistible. It's obvious how much we need each other, just give in to me like a good girl."

Everything I was made up of lurched at Zagra's words. I wanted to scream at the girl to get the hell out of there. I wanted her to want that for herself, but she stood there—emotionless and frozen.

As Zagra took a step towards the girl, her mouth parted. When he took another step, he was in front of her and holding her upper arms. "Say you want this." He demanded calmly.

The girl licked her lips as my unease grew. Then, with a voice stronger than I imagined, she spoke. "No."

Zagra's eyebrows shot up fast and he smiled through a scoff. "No?"

The girl closed her mouth and blinked at Zagra.

He let out a rueful laugh as his arms dropped, then he shook his head slightly. "Alright my little mouse. If it's a game you want, it's a game you shall get." Then, he turned and strolled out of the library.

—

A/N

I just noticed that my other ACOTAR fanfic has 20k views!!! I'm speechless and honored to have such an awesome group of people reading my books.

I hope you all have a great night, hopefully I'll have another update tomorrow :)

-Em