A Court This Cruel & Lovely (Kingdom of Lies, #1)(28)

I clawed at my throat like a wild animal, desperate for air.

A shriek rose in my head. The sound was high-pitched. Primal. Full of retribution.

It drowned out the couple arguing in the alley below us. It smothered the taunt of the giant on top of me. It consumed my fear and doubt, until only one word remained.

Stop.

The giant froze.

Sobbing, I ripped his hand off my mouth. But I was still pinned.

Roaring filled my ears. I tossed wildly beneath the giant, pushing with everything I had.

My right leg came free. I planted that foot in Beard’s side and heaved.

Free.

Run.

Don’t look back.

Scrambling off the bed, I sprinted toward the door, howling for help.

Pain erupted in my scalp, and I dropped to my knees.

“Magic, huh? You’ll make me a rich man, you little bitch.”

I fumbled, my hand sweeping along the floor for the knife.

Beard pulled me up by my hair, and I shrieked, my scalp burning.

I swung, slashing out with the knife.

He howled, his hands clamping over his shoulder as blood sprayed. I stabbed at him again, and he dropped to his knees. I screamed wordlessly, driving my foot into his gut.

And then my room was full of furious males.

Lorian took one step inside and threw the giant across the room. Rythos stepped in front of me, blocking the scene from my vision.

“Give me the knife, darlin’.”

I stared up into Rythos’s face. His eyes blazed with fury, but his expression was calm. His hand was gentle on mine, and still, I flinched as he unwrapped my fingers from the wooden hilt.

He handed the knife to Galon and then wrapped an arm around me. Safe. I was safe. I’d begun to shiver, and he tightened his arm. “Don’t look over there. Come with me, Prisca.”

I allowed him to lead me to their room. A few of the men followed, but I was dimly aware of Galon staying with Lorian. Other guests were flooding into the hallway. One of the women caught sight of my shirt and the blood staining it. Her mouth fell open, and she let out a wild shriek.

Rythos growled and I jolted, not used to such a sound from him. He reached out and brushed a hand over my hair, but his gaze stayed on the woman. She shut her mouth.

Rythos sat me on the lone chair in their room. I stared at the wall while the men talked in hushed voices.

“Don’t do that.” Rythos’s voice was gentle as he pulled my hands from my throat. I’d been scratching at it, as if that rope were still wrapped around me. My cheeks heated, and I took a deep breath, burying my hands in the blanket he placed on my lap.

Lorian stepped into the room. His knuckles were bruised, and a muscle twitched in his cheek when he looked at me. “Tell me what happened.”

My throat thickened until I could barely breathe. For some reason, a ball of shame was burning in my chest.

“Prisca.” His voice was gentle, and he crouched in front of me, the remaining fury drained from his expression. “If you can’t talk about it…”

The unexpected gentleness shook some of the fog from my mind.

“I-I was in such a deep sleep. I woke, and he was already in my room. How did he get into my room?”

I loathed how small my voice sounded. Lorian’s jaw clenched. “It’s likely that he stole a key from the innkeeper. The idiot’s lying in a drunken heap by the fire.”

I nodded, still feeling as if I were stuck in a nightmare. As if I were about to wake up at any moment.

“You don’t need to talk about it,” Lorian said.

Our eyes met and held. Not pity. Sympathy and banked fury, but he wasn’t looking at me like I was a victim. That look made me steadier.

“No. No, I want to.” I took a deep breath. “His hand was on my mouth, and he pinched my nostrils until I couldn’t breathe. He said he was going to kill me. And then hang me up where you’d find me.” Nausea made my stomach swim, and Marth let out a rough curse from somewhere behind me. “We fought. I used my…my power.” I said the last word in a whisper, conscious of anyone who could be listening at the door. “He only froze for a second, but it was enough for me to take the knife and run for the door. Then his h-hand was in my hair, and he pulled me back. I slashed out. And I couldn’t stop. Wouldn’t stop.”

I’d been like an animal. All I’d known was fear. Fear, and the knowledge that I’d do anything to survive.

Marth opened the door. I hadn’t noticed him leave. He stepped back inside the room and handed me a cup of tea.

I took a sip. Peppermint. The scent both calmed me and cleared my head. “Thank you.”

“You did everything right.” Galon’s voice was rough, and he crouched next to Lorian.

“We need to leave,” I said. “Surely the authorities were summoned?”

Lorian gave a disinterested shrug. “An attempted murderer was felled by a tiny woman. Everyone in this inn just watched him stumble away. No one will be summoning the authorities tonight.”

I ignored the tiny woman part. “Are you sure?”

“The innkeeper is too drunk, and any guests have been suitably frightened by Rythos’s glare.”

Rythos snorted. The gentle ribbing between the men settled me more than the tea had. Some of the tension in my chest began to drain away.

“You’ll sleep in here tonight.” Lorian got to his feet. “We’ll leave at first light.”