The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 4)(82)

“He wants Dashara to believe I betrayed her,” Seth whispered hoarsely.

“I think it’s more along the lines of wanting her to believe you were betraying her all along. He wants her to die knowing you never loved her at all,” Hemlock corrected in an amused voice. “After all, how could anyone watch someone they love die without even making a sound?” Hemlock mused as he moved toward the door. “Follow along like a good little servant, Seth. From what I understand, you used to be the perfect dog for Avanti before Dashara spread her legs for you. Must have been damned good sex for you to turn your back on Avanti for this little rebellion. Too bad you f*cked up, eh? I mean, just think of how many people died because of you. Not only will your wife die, everyone that followed her will die, too. By the time this night is over, your entire rebellion will be an unpleasant memory.”

Seth followed behind in utter silence. He was certain the game had begun the moment they started walking toward the house, and he wasn’t about to let harm come to Dominic over Hemlock’s taunting. He had served House Avanti his entire life. There was nothing Hemlock could say that would make him break. Every painful word that could be spoken was already ground into his soul by the Avanti. The true test of his will would come when he faced Dashara. It would take everything he had to remain silent when she looked at him as a traitor.

The house was silent as they entered. Seth’s eyes scanned the small kitchen and the dining room as Hemlock continued on. Everything was neat and tidy as it always was. Dashara hated clutter and kept the house nearly spotless. His throat tightened as Hemlock paused in front of the bedroom door. The Assassin turned back to look at him with a wide smile showing through the shadows of his cloak.

“Better let me take a quick peek, first. I have to make sure they are ready for you and Dashara is decent. I think a few of the guards took a turn with her. No doubt they wanted to see if it was really worth a rebellion,” Hemlock whispered as he pushed the door open just far enough to glance inside. “All clear. Let’s get this over with, shall we,” he suggested as he pushed the door fully open.

Their bedroom had always seemed large to him before. Seth had lived his entire life as a servant and his quarters had never been as lavish as the home he shared with Dashara. Tonight, however, the room seemed small and cramped. Guards lined the walls while Donrey Avanti himself stood in the center of the room, looming like Death over his eldest daughter. Dashara’s eyes flashed to him and Seth watched with despair as hope lit her battered features. She was tied to a chair in the center of the room. Her beautiful red-gold hair was matted with blood and by the bruises and cuts on her beautiful face, she had endured several beatings before he arrived.

“Sorry for the delay, High Lord. Seth and I had a few things to discuss. I think we have everything sorted out between us now, though. He understands exactly what his payment will be for this,” Hemlock said as he bowed his head to Donrey.

“Payment?” Dashara asked, her sweet voice trembling with the word. Her hope turned to question as she watched him and Seth knew she was waiting for him to speak. If he did, though, Dominic would suffer. It took everything he had to hold his words back, but he had no choice. Both Dashara and he had willingly accepted their fates when they turned on House Avanti. Their children had not. His son and daughter were innocent and no matter how much it hurt, he would not let them suffer for their parents’ sins, even if it meant letting Dashara die believing he had never cared at all. His throat tightened at the thought but he kept his face carefully neutral. For all he knew, Hemlock would take a frown as a reason to harm his son. The Assassin had specified quite clearly “no movement,” so he wouldn’t even move his lips.

“Don’t sound so confused, girl. Of course, Seth was involved. How else would we have found you so easily? Thanks to him, we now know every traitor in Avanti,” Uindraely’s voice rose from the shadows near the back wall and Seth shifted his gaze to watch her. He hadn’t expected to see her here, but then he should have. Uindraely Merrodin had a habit of being involved in everything unpleasant. She smiled sweetly as she noticed his attention and raised the bundle in her arms. “Your daughter is simply beautiful, Seth. May I congratulate you on such delightful children?” Her dark eyes flashed and Seth had to fight to keep his hands from clenching. Uindraely was a heartless bitch and the thought of her even touching his daughter drove his fury higher. Davahni was barely four months old, yet she showed such intelligence in her dark eyes that Seth had no doubt she knew something horrible was going on. Like his son, though, he was sure the infant didn’t understand exactly how horrible it was. Uindraely raised a hand to brush back her dark hair and sat down on the edge of the table making a show of cooing over his child. “It’s too bad your mommy is such a fool, little darling. This is just not a memory any child should have,” Uindraely murmured in a childish v oice as she bumped a finger lightly under the infant’s chin. “You wanna say bye bye to mommy?” she asked in the same exaggerated voice as she pulled the child’s hand free of the blanket and bobbed it up and down in a mocking wave. “Bye bye, Dashara,” she grinned and turned her attention back to Seth. Her grin widened into a full smile as she winked at him. “Once she is dead, you are all mine, Seth,” she purred.