Page 120 of Slaying the Shifter Prince
“I didn’t give you the entire truth when I said I was here informing my parents of our engagement.” He twisted his mouth. “I did do that, but first I hunted him down. I wasn’t sure how long it would take to find him, so I didn’t want to tell you and get your hopes up.” His eyes narrowed. “I have a feeling you’re going to forgive me, though.”
My mouth was dry. My heart thudded, resonating through my whole body, like I was a drum being struck in a slow, consuming beat.
“He confessed, so his life is yours, just as yours was mine, once upon a time.” The corner of his mouth twitched.
I glanced at Eric, who bowed his head as though afraid of being seen looking at me.
“I may have helped with the questioning.” Sepher’s upper lip curled as he watched Eric, the gold in his eyes keen like it had been forged into a blade. “You have the same choice I did. Execution”—he lifted the sword—“or he belongs to you for the rest of his days or until you choose to set him free.”
I’d made my choice a long time ago, but I frowned at the wicked sharp edge of the sword. “I can’t lift that.”
“It’s enchanted. Even the smallest, weakest child can wield it if it’s being used in service of justice. If you want it, take it.” He presented it to me, bowing.
The guards shifted, as though surprised to see their prince bow to anyone.
I closed my fingers around the hilt. The two serpents flexed like they were alive, and I almost dropped it in shock, but they pressedintomy grip as though welcoming it.
Just as Sepher had promised, I lifted the sword and found it as light and balanced as the iron dagger he’d reforged for me.
The sword’s magic pulsed in wave after wave, overwhelming. But second by second the beat of my heart aligned with its rhythm, pounding in my ears, my veins, under my feet, like the floor trembled with it.
It was like lying on Sepher’s chest after making love, listening to his heart. It was like learning to lie with him in the sun. It was like throwing myself into a song’s crescendo.
It was right.
“No, no.” Eye wide, Eric shook his head as I approached.
I wondered if they’d taken the other one as part of his questioning. I would ask Sepher later.
“Please. Zita. No. You don’t want to do this. Don’t.”
The guards held him still, without difficulty.
“Please,” he whimpered. “Zinnia would have wanted you to spare me.”
“On your knees.” My voice wasn’t my own. Two more joined it, light and dark, echoing through the chamber.
The guards let go and, begging all the way, Eric obeyed as though he couldn’t help it.
I was aware of Sepher on the edge of my vision, but for this moment, all my attention was on Eric. And I knew—knewmy prince wouldn’t try to stop me from claiming vengeance.
“Ten years ago, you took a life. You thought you got away with it. But now your life is forfeit. Bend over.”
He bent to my will, squealing like he’d forgotten how to speak.
“Zinnia may have wanted me to spare you. But I am not her. She is gone. You took her, and now I take you.”
I lifted the sword.
I let it fall.
There wasn’t even a moment of resistance, just a dull thud as Eric’s head hit the floor, followed a second later by his body slumping.
It was a clean death. Quicker, smoother, kinder than he deserved. But as I stared at his blood pooling on the floor, lapping at my shoes, I was glad.
Driven by something deep inside, I swiped my fingers along the flat of the blade and licked away the crimson.
Copper and iron and salt.
