Page 68 of Lies That Blemish
I’d never felt so helpless in all my life.
Two guards at the gate both had griffin Talanagi. They waved us in, opening the gates. By my count, we’d driven about thirty minutes north of the Red Palace.
As we wound up the road, I took in the palatial home. In any other circumstance, I’d say it was beautiful, but I was pretty sure it was about to become my prison.
“The wedding will be here tomorrow.” Maxim pointed to a well-manicured garden where some white silk tents were being erected.
My stomach roiled.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, coming from the angle of a complacent prisoner.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
He nodded, as if pleased with my response. “I’m glad you think so. The treaty for the peaceful surrender of your people and lands is being drawn up by my council and will be ready before the wedding.”
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Emotion clogged my throat, and tears filled my eyes.
Kohen. I couldn’t help but think of him in this moment.
I’ll always protect you.
This time, he was wrong. No one could protect me from this. The best I could hope for was saving my people and my sisters.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
My gaze flicked to Ricov, and he rolled his eyes. It was getting hard to chant and think at the same time.
The car pulled up to the mansion. Maxim stepped out, and we all followed. I quickly did a scan to see that there were over a dozen guards patrolling the area. The two at the door both had lion creatures.
They bowed deeply as Maxim approached, and I wondered if they did it of their own free will. Ricov opened the large double doors and then Maxim stepped inside, gesturing widely to the grand home.
“Welcome home, Aisling,” he said, and I tried not to show my disgust.
The foyer we stood in had dark slate floors and red wallpaper that led all the way up to a double staircase, which held a second level. It was not my taste, but you couldn’t deny the grandness.
“This was all my father’s design, but if you want to redecorate, I can arrange for that,” Maxim said.
I glared at Ricov, who had clearly shared my thoughts on the design.
“I’m an empress, a warrior,” I growled. “I’m not a decorator.”
Maxim’s lip curled as if he liked my feistiness a little bit. “Which is why I chose you. Our children will be very powerful.”
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
I tried desperately to cover up my feelings for that statement. I’d rather me and all my sisters die than bear this demon a child. Maxim’s eyes thinned to slits, and I knew he’d heard that thought.
“Let’s go see your sister, shall we? Maybe that will motivate you to behave.”
I felt sick to my stomach as anger and rage washed over me. If she was hurt, I wasn’t sure I would be able to control my reaction. I might explode and kill us all.
