Of Blood And Shadows

Chapter Nine

AERWYN

Aerwyn wanted nothing more than to lunge at the king and wipe that insufferable smirk off his face. He lounged carelessly atop his throne, one leg draped over the side, his arm propped behind his head, the crown on his head askew.

"A week," he said, sounding utterly bored. "Take her to the villages. Let the people she's supposed to save know her, love her."

What was he up to? He knew she wasn't the real Ondina, so why parade her around the kingdom, only for her to disappoint them later? Unless... that was exactly his plan. To set her up, parade her as their savior, and then humiliate her when the truth came out.

"I don't want to," Aerwyn muttered through gritted teeth. The dresses she was forced to wear were unbearably bulky, layer upon layer making her sweat despite the chill in the air. The small crown they'd given her felt far too heavy, the earrings weighing her down like shackles.

She'd give anything to be back in the leather pants Dasha had given her yesterday. Aerwyn sighed. Her life had truly turned upside down. In her world, she'd never be caught dead in pants, but now she craved them.

The king smiled again, his gaze lazily fixed on the intricate designs etched into the ceiling. "And when did I ever give you the impression that your opinion matters, Ondina?" He dragged out her name, each syllable like a threat.

Her fists curled instinctively.

He chuckled. "So it's settled. Orayon, Dasha, take her to the villages. Let her attend to the wounded this time, hand out food to the poor souls. And please, do not let her out of your sight today—especially not near black-winged Rimatii."

Aerwyn's eyes darted to Dasha, an eyebrow raised in question. Had Dasha told on her? Dasha didn't meet her gaze, staring straight ahead instead, a refusal to acknowledge the accusation.

"Your Majesty, is it wise to take her out after a breach? What if the witches are lying in wait to harm her? We'd be delivering her right to them," Orayon interjected.

"Then good riddance," Sevrin replied with a yawn.

Both Orayon and Dasha looked stunned. "This is Princess Ondina," Orayon said firmly. "She's the one who will win this war for us."

King Sevrin let out a low chuckle. "With what powers?"

Aerwyn's heart nearly stopped. Was he about to expose her now? Her eyes darted around the room, scanning for an exit, any chance to escape.

"Your Majesty knows about the relink," Orayon said quietly.

For the first time since they entered, Sevrin sat up straight, his eyes locking onto Aerwyn with a twisted grin. "If that's what you're calling it now, then sure."

Orayon cleared his throat and inched a step closer to Aerwyn, as though he meant to protect her. Aerwyn couldn't be sure. She could rarely tell what his intentions were.

"We were only trying to protect you, Your Majesty," Orayon said, jaw clenched. "We didn't want you to lose hope in the war."

Sevrin's eyes darkened, and he leaned forward. "Don't ever presume to think you could shield me from the truth, Captain. I may not care much for this war, but I am the king. I know everything that happens in my kingdom. If there is something I should know, you will come to me directly, understood?"

Orayon and Dasha nodded quickly.

"Good. Don't ever repeat that mistake, or I'll have you hanged. Now, get her out of my sight," Sevrin said, reclining back on the throne. He took a goblet of wine from the kneeling maid beside him and drank deeply, resuming his casual posture.