Page 111 of White Raven

“I won’t run.” The semi-lie sat heavy on my tongue. Though I wouldn’t until everyone was too drunk or high to notice my departure. I had to get my wits about me. “I mean, where could I go?”

Sven’s expression softened, gesturing for me to head toward the back. “The privy is this way.”

“I got it from here.” A resounding voice snapped my head up, Bjørn’s huge frame standing before us, his cheeks pink with drink. “I will escort the queen.”

“What?” Sven’s mouth parted, his head wagging. “But the king said⁠—”

“Don’t worry about the king,” Bjørn replied.

“Brynn said not to let her out of my sight.”

“Well, I outrank you by far, kid, and I said, I will take her from here.” He puffed out his chest, making Sven, who was fit and tall, appear small. “Someone will have eyes on her all the time. I promise.”

Sven peered nervously back at the king.

“Return to your watch,” Bjørn said. “She will be in great hands.”

Sven bowed his head, retreating back toward the dais.

“This way, my queen,” he mocked, bowing to me with a smile.

“Stop calling me that.” I rubbed at my arms like I could scrub off the title, erase everything that had happened in the last hour.

“Oh, do I sense trouble in paradise already?” His eyes widened with fake horror.

“Shut up.” Even in my dazed state, a chuckle escaped my lips.

He grinned, swiping a goblet off a passing tray and guzzling it down in one gulp. Wiping the foam clinging to his beard, he headed us toward the back. No one took notice of me, the room in a daze, the scent of the flowers even stronger, while alcohol was served in excess, adding to the feel that everyone was riding the cusp of what was proper and what wasn’t.

Bjørn stopped when we reached an area decorated with draping black curtains. The moonlight did not reach this section under the arches, lit by only a few candelabras, the flickering candles producing just enough glow to make out shapes.

“This is where I leave you, my queen.” Bjørn bowed, a playful smirk on his mouth.

“What?” I peered around, an alarm ringing in my head, realizing we were not near the privy. Was he going to kill me? Was this planned the whole time? “What’s going on?”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be in proficient hands.” He winked, sauntering off, disappearing in the stream of figures. My attention was still on him in bewilderment when a gloved hand wrapped around my neck, yanking me back.

Air ripped up my throat, adrenaline spiking in my blood, my fingers prying at the hold as I was hauled back into a solid figure, the velvety drape between us.

This was where I was going to die.

“Hel—”

“Don’t scream, kanin.” A deep growl licked at my ear, my body instantly reacting, going still, my plea for help dissipating. “At least not yet.”

My chest heaved, fear rushing in my veins and between my legs, spiking over my skin.

“What did I tell you?” he rumbled. “You eat, I’m there, you sleep, I’m there, you pee. I am there.”

“Onyx—”

“Don’t fucking open your mouth.” His hand sprawled over my neck, pinning me harder into him, the heat of his breath seeping through the curtain into my ear. “He finds me here; we are both dead. Understand?”

I nodded.

“Good girl.”

My nipples hardened at his praise, my breath catching. Funny how different the same phrase could come off someone else’s lips.