Page 100 of The King has Fallen
I looped the silk scarf around it once, then tied that end off with a non-slip knot, before twisting it, then binding the other end to my wrist, so our hands rested back-to-back. Our knuckles brushing.
The twist between us would offer rotation—she could turn her hand without mine changing position, and visa-versa. But she was bound to my side as surely as any cuff or chain.
Unless she got that blade loose and cut through it.
“But… that’syourright hand,” she said as she watched me tie us together.
I smiled grimly. “I don’t have a dominant hand, either,” I said.
Her eyes cut up from our hands to meet mine and she arched a brow just as I had a moment earlier.
But neither of us spoke. And a few moments later I was pushing the tent flap aside to lead her out into the sunlight… and into the den of the lion that might very well devour both of us.
34.An Audience with the King
SOUNDTRACK:I’m Not Afraid of the Darkby Oshins and Anna Graceman
~ YILAN ~
We stood in the center of the King’s lavish tent which was three times the size of Melek’s and filled with a full suite of furniture, including the armoire I’d hidden behind for days. Rich rugs covered the dirt floor, and a battery of slaves lined the walls, including guards at the door and several women dressed provocatively, but keeping their chins low and their eyes on their feet.
It turned my stomach.
Melek offered the benediction of peace, and the King nodded to accept it, but didn’t return the favor.
“Do you want a drink, Melek?” the King said, his deep voice resonant with disdain as he snapped his fingers at one of the slaves, and she rushed to a sideboard to begin pouring whatever Gault usually drank.
Melek shook his head. “I drank as much as I wanted last night,” he said. If we hadn’t been under the King’s eyes I would have gawked at him for the manipulative words.
Deceptive fucker.
Gault waited until he’d been served a goblet full of what looked to be red wine. He stroked the woman’s breast as she handed it to him, and gave her a disgusting smile. But she gave nothing away, only nodded once as she offered the cup, then waited for him to be done and dismissed her with a wave of his hand before she moved again.
I thought of what she and the others must endure at his hands and my stomach churned.
“Did you enjoy your night last night, then?” Gault asked Melek, as if there’d been no break in their conversation.
“More than I should have,” Melek said sincerely.
Even as fear coursed through me, I tensed with the urge tolaugh. I recognized it as a hysterical response. But where was Jannus when you needed him? We could have had such a field day with that if Melek and I weren’t standing here, knees trembling, awaiting either my demise or his. Or worse.
I prayed fervently that this was only the King toying with Melek and nothing more sinister.
“I met with the Captains this morning as you suggested,” Melek said as if Gault had asked. “I believe our current plan is—”
“I didn’t bring you here to discuss the strategy. I agree. It’s time to move,” he said quietly.
I blinked, but kept my eyes fixed on his hand on that goblet. I found his golden eyes unnerving.
“Oh. Good,” Melek said. “Then what—”
“This is an… interesting way to bind a prisoner,” Gault said, raising his goblet in the direction of our tied wrists. I would have assumed he was disapproving, but he smiled, and his tone was all suggestion.
Melek huffed. “I gave the guards the Covenant Days off. I have to keep her close.”
“Hmmm, close. Yes,” Gault murmured, his eyes gleaming. “I take your point.”
Melek began to frown, but then the King turned to the two guards that stood either side of his door—not having been given the days off—and beckoned them closer.
