Page 121 of White Raven

“There are bigger plans for you.” The smell of mead thick on his breath, his eyes dilated, like he had been drinking all night. “I can’t let you just blow it all by killing yourself. I worked too hard to get you here.”

“I wasn’t killing myself.” My response was automatic.

“Then what do you call it?” My mouth parted to respond, and he slipped his thumb up my chin into my mouth, yanking on my jaw. “A coward’s death.” His nose wrinkled in disgust. “How should I punish you for that?”

Every cell in my body sparked, the lack of air once again spinning my head, but I felt anything but sorrow. Life pumped in my veins, pulsing into my veins.

I knew I’d let him fuck me . . . I needed to feel him lose control, driving into me over and over. Owning me before I was someone else’s.

“Onyx.” I spoke softly, our lips just a breath away. A frantic twittering finally reached my eardrums, pulling my attention out to the bedroom. In the dim light I could see Munch jumping up and down, motioning with his good arm to my pillow, his noises desperate and urgent.

“What the fuck is his problem?” Onyx rumbled. Releasing me, he stepped back.

“I don’t know.” I climbed out of the tub, grabbing my robe, heading into the bedroom. Munch continued to click his teeth, pointing at my pillow.

“What?” I frowned. “It’s just a pillow.” I lifted it up to show him and froze.

Underneath was a crude figure made from wool, cloth, and some kind of plant twined in.

“What is that?” I reached out.

“Don’t touch it,” Onyx commanded. Using the bedspread, he picked up the puppet, bringing it closer to his face. Smelling it, he jerked back—and rushing to the window, he cracked it open, tossing it out.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s laced with morning glory.”

My body went still. Even I knew that was highly lethal to Ravens. Where moonflowers and jasmine messed with your mind, making you high, morning glory contained compounds that triggered severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and caused delusions.

“Not enough to kill you⁠—”

“But enough that I might consider doing it myself,” I finished for him. A perfect way to make it look like I killed myself in order not to be used by the Night King, and no one would be accused of my murder.

“That’s probably what they are hoping.” He went back to my bed, flipping over more pillows and tearing off my duvet, trying to find if any more had been placed in my room.

I grabbed Munch out of his way, setting the groundling on a side table. “Thank you, my friend,” I muttered my appreciation, petting him on the head. He purred, his fangs showing as if he was smiling.

“I’d ask who would want you dead, but that list is too long.” Onyx tore through the cupboard, yanking everything out onto the floor.

I couldn’t disagree, but it also didn’t make sense.

“Why would they want me dead? I mean, the White Raven is said to be the cure of this land. What is the point to have me die now?”

He yanked out more garments, peering back at me.

“Some don’t want it healed.”

“What? Why?”

“Because they like their power the way it is. Any change might mean they lose that.”

“They would rather live in darkness, where their land is dying, and their people are starving?”

“People are easy to control when they are scared, and you regulate their food source and livelihood. There is endless power in fear.” He cleared out my armoire, moving on to my drawers. “The powerful only stay powerful when people suffer.”

“Would the king do this? He should want me alive until my birthday. He has the chance to become ruler of all the kingdoms.”

“It’s not the king.” Onyx paused. “You are worth too much alive to him right now.”