A Dawn of Onyx (The Sacred Stones, #1)(32)

“He was your own corrupt lieutenant!” I bit my tongue. I was too angry to be near him. I would surely say something that would get me killed, too.

“Yes, and that will haunt me for a long time, Arwen. I had no idea… who he was.” He sighed. “They should have told me. My men. About him. I don’t know why they didn’t.”

“Maybe the other kingdoms aren’t the only ones that fear the Onyx King.”

His eyebrows creased together as he looked down at me, and I wondered if it was shame that played across his face. Whatever it was, it hardened into something cruel and cold and glinting with intrigue.

“And what about you, bird?”

I stayed silent. He was too smug…I knew where this was going. He leaned against the wall beside us. The corner of his mouth perked up just slightly.

“Do you fear me?

His teeth gleamed like a wolf’s in the moonlight.

“Yes,” I wouldn’t be able to lie convincingly. I knew my fear was written plainly on my face.

“Good. Maybe then you’ll listen when I ask you to do something for me.”

My stomach heaved at the thought of what he might ask. He must have seen the revulsion on my face because a muscle in his jaw ticked.

“No, nothing like that, bird. I wouldn’t say you’re exactly my type.” My face flushed with the sting of his words. “I had warned you that escape would be dangerous. Yet you tried anyway. I know you wish to return to your family, but I ask that you stay here in Shadowhold and continue your work as a healer. Consider it payment for your brother’s debt.”

I hadn’t been expecting that.

It had dawned on me a day or two ago that there were far fewer people in need of healing here than I expected. If the king was so desperate for my healing abilities, wouldn’t I have been more useful on the front lines? I had more patients back in Abbington.

“Why do you want me to stay here? You don’t even have many patients.”

“Perhaps I am… intrigued by your particular skills.”

My face flushed. I didn’t want to be his trophy—to be kept here like one of the jarred creatures in the apothecary.

“And, in return for your commitment to Onyx, I will find your family and make sure they are safe,” he added, like the only thing that mattered to me in this world was simply an afterthought.

I knew I couldn’t trust him, but the relief at the thought of their safety was like a cold gulp of water filling my chest. The king would have the resources to find them. Spies and messengers, a dragon to cross the seas faster than a thousand ships. He could probably track them down in mere weeks, while it might take me years. A lifetime, even.

Maybe he knew I’d always keep trying to run unless he bribed me otherwise.

“How do I know you’ll keep your word?” My voice had gained a semblance of strength.

Humor danced in his eyes as he ran a hand through his tousled, dark hair. “I realize how this sounds, but you may just have to trust me.”

The very thought turned my insides cold. Stupid—that’s what I had been to even consider it. I couldn’t form words, so I continued my hasty walk toward the dungeon. The King easily fell into step beside me. Damn those long legs.

“Is that a yes then?”

I shuddered. “No.”

“Well then you’re headed in the wrong direction, I fear.”

I went still as death. “What do you mean?”

He grinned a feral smile that made my blood freeze in my veins.

“You think I’m going to allow you the luxury of the cell you just slipped out of when you have no intention of heeding my warnings about escape or accepting my deal? No, I think I’ll place you somewhere a little less… comfortable.”

I went stiff as a corpse.

The annex. Where all the screams and wails were born.

Blood was rushing in my ears as delight at my torment danced in his eyes.

“You said you wouldn’t.” I sounded like a petulant child, and the words turned to ash on my tongue.

He shrugged. “Did I? Must’ve changed my mind. The stretcher can be very effective, you know.”

Oily dread coated my mind, my heart—my very soul.

He was taking too much pleasure from my horrified expression. I hoped he saw how much I hated him. More than I had ever hated anyone. Even Powell. “You are everything I thought you were, and so much worse.”

His slate eyes twinkled. “Perhaps so. Still, your pick.”

The idea of spending the rest of my life here was enough to make me physically sick. But what were my options, really? Endure whatever he had planned to force me into submission? Images of racks and ripped-out fingernails danced in my mind. And then what? I’d be weaker and more traumatized and even less likely to successfully escape. Wasn’t agreeing to stay and letting him at least find my family the better of two evils? And the more likely one that I could work to my advantage?

“Fine,” I said, biting down on the nausea turning over inside me. “But I have,” I swallowed hard. “I have a request.”

The King took a step closer and looked down at me with curiosity. Curiosity and… something else. Something… hungry. I froze. When I didn’t continue, he murmured, “Let’s hear it, bird.”

“You find my family now. Not eventually. And deliver a letter to them, with proof that they received it,” I forced out.