Steal the Sun (Thieves #4)(123)

“I am grateful to you, Your Grace,” Chima whispered. “I wish there was some other way. If I survive, I’ll tell everyone of your sacrifice. Arawn is wrong. We won’t forget. My father will honor you, and I’ll make it my mission in life to stop this war.”

Con was getting impatient. “Are you going to bring the bitch to me or not, Chima?”

“I want my son first.” Chima held me fast.

The goblin holding Sean moved forward at Con’s gesture. Chima pushed me along to meet the guard in the middle. I could see Sean’s eyes light up with hope as he saw his mother coming toward him, and I understood why Chima had to do this. He was so sweet and beautiful and he deserved to grow up. He didn’t deserve to die a pawn in some idiot’s war.

“Push Her Grace toward me and I’ll let your son run to you.” The goblin rasped his instructions. His claws were digging into Sean’s arm, a thin trickle of blood already visible.

Without hesitation, Chima shoved me hard toward the goblin. I stumbled even as Sean streaked by me to get to his mother. The tumble allowed me to better hide the weapon Chima had given me. Most of it was hidden up the long shirt I wore, but all I had to do was move my hand to use it.

The goblin wasn’t interested in my dignity. He strode up and, rather than waiting for me to get up and walk, he simply grabbed a handful of hair and started dragging me. Pain flared along my scalp and I scrambled. As I tried to keep up, I watched Chima wrap her arms around her son and join Nim. I saw the regret on their faces, but they disappeared around the corner of the house, attempting to make their escape.

I was alone with an army of monsters.

“Poor little human.” Con looked down on me as my goblin escort tossed me toward him and I fell at his feet. “You just wanted a good lay and you end up here. I hope the fertility god made it worthwhile for you.”

“Screw you,” I spat, looking up into his red, alien eyes. His long white hair looked wrong on his body, far too soft for someone so hard.

He laughed, a sound that was somewhere between a guffaw and a rasping cough. “Unfortunately, I can’t take you up on that generous offer. It’s a shame because I would love to know what it is about you the sex god found so amusing he was willing to give up all those other women.”

“Sounds like a damn good reason to keep me alive.” I meant what I told the Hunter. I don’t believe in death before dishonor. I believed in staying alive for just another hour and a half so Danny could wake up and kill this *.

“Tempting, but no.” Con turned me down as he pulled me to my knees. His hand wrapped in my hair, holding me in place. I was going to have to rethink my hairdo. Too many times some * used it against me. “The war is about to start and I do want your head on my pike. Your husband will be the first to see it as I march across the field of battle. He’ll sound the horn of war before Miria or Angus can even think to talk.”

Con held my head at a rough angle as the red caps began to chant. I wasn’t sure what they were chanting, but I was pretty certain it wasn’t anything I wanted to hear. The hold Con had on my head hurt, but my throat was vulnerable and completely exposed. I could vaguely see Con hold up a hand to bring forward one of the goblins. He moved forward with a broad sword. It looked too heavy for the squat, fierce creature but he wielded it like it was nothing. All in all I was certain he’d been well trained as an executioner.

“I am merciful, Your Grace. I grant you a painless death. Your blood will stain their caps for our glorious battle,” Con said with flourish as the goblin raised the sword to swing it in an arc that would separate my head from my body.

I let the small but sharp knife fall into my hand and as hard as I could, shoved it behind me, my aim finding that soft sac that all men carry at the center of their universe. I sank the knife in deep even as Con screamed and let me go. I felt the sword swing above my head as I hit the ground.

I was on my feet as quickly as possible while I still had the confusion of my actions and Con’s girlie screams to give me a few seconds. I ran for the house, thinking to find a place to hide, but a strong wind forced me back to my knees even as I could see the door that might mean my freedom.

The goblins were regrouping, and Con was shouting my name. I didn’t think he would be so merciful the next time he got his hands on me. I was being called everything a man could think of to call a woman he truly detested.

I fought to get up, but that wind was too strong. My heart sank as I realized it was another one of those blasted eddy winds that seemed to plague me. The goblins had sent for reinforcements. They had excellent timing as they had managed to neatly block my escape.

Bodies fell to the ground around me.

“Damn it,” I heard a familiar voice growl. “That’s the worst ride I’ve ever had. Who the hell taught you to drive? I think I’m going to be sick. Why don’t you people just use cars?”

Even as he complained bitterly, Lee bounced up, ready to take down anything that came his way.

“I agree, brother.” Declan’s voice came next. “You are terrible at that. I am going to learn how to catch an eddy wind just so I never have to allow you to drive again.”

“I didn’t have any problem with it, boss. It was fine.” I had never been so happy to hear Zack suck up.

I looked up and my husband smiled down at me, his hand held out to help me stand. “Hello, my wife. It looks like you could use some help.”