|
|
I backed away from the silent pit, my gaze fixed on its darkness. No sounds came from it, though Skullflare’s screams still seemed to echo in the confined space.
I wanted to turn and run down the dark corridor and lock myself in the cell. I should have been thinking of escape, of finding Timotei and taking him far away from this place, but I knew the endeavor would be useless. There was no escape.
A large shape shot out of the pit with a loud whoosh. I staggered backward. My throat tight with dread, my fists raised and ready to punch anything that got too close.
The shape sat suspended in midair for an instant, then alighted gently on the stone floor, a cloak billowing behind it.
Bishop Dragoslav.
The hood of his cloak was pushed back enough to reveal a full, heart-shaped mouth, it was smeared with blood, sharp fangs unsheathed. His eyes were glowing bright enough to illuminate the inside of his hood and cast his mouth in a ghastly sight of horror that spoke of Skullflare’s fate.
Something about his dimly-revealed features didn’t sit well with me, but I was too taken aback to give it much thought.
Dragoslav licked his lips with relish, leaving a clean line in the middle of all the gore. “Don’t look so squeamish,” he said. “You had your fill of blood when Maximus made you a Rook, and you liked it.”
I shook my head. “No, that’s not true, I... I...”
I had no idea what had happened. I didn’t even remember drinking the King’s blood, but there was no doubt I had.
A smile stretched across the Bishop’s mouth. “Don’t fight it, Nyro.”
My name sounded strange in his whisper-like voice. He’d never used it before.
“Embrace the power because, whether or not you want it,” he added, “it will embrace you.”
* * *
AN HOUR LATER, I LEFT the palace and was greeted by a thick blanket of snow. The weather had changed since the last time I’d been out.
Followed by King Maximus and Bishop Dragoslav, I walked toward the dining hall, snow crunching under our boots. The temperature was below freezing, but to my amazement, it didn’t bother me one bit.
After the short walk, we entered the common dining hall. It was dinner time, and everyone from each Quadrant, including Knight Traian, Knight Arcos, and Rook Datcu.
The smell of grilled mutton and stewed vegetables made my stomach growl, stirring that insistent hunger that never seemed to leave me no matter what I ate. I still crave food, but nothing seemed to satiate me. The wooden benches along the tables scraped the stone floor as the Board Members stood to attention and saluted the Black King.
Each pair of eyes finally settled on me and my new uniform: a Rook’s uniform. Faces filled with incredulity, which turned to ill-disguised anger when the King spoke.
“Rook Skullflare is dead,” Maximus said. “But we have a new Rook. The Board must be complete, after all.”
I had no business being a Rook, not even if Horasiu Skullflare was dead. I hadn’t earned the spot. I should have fought the Second Quadrant’s new First Pawn for the spot, but the King had decided to appoint me without following the rules. He was the King, after all. He could do whatever he wanted. No one would or could challenge him.
Everyone regarded me with hatred, except for Marin, the only Board Member who didn’t seem to belong in this place and had helped me and been friendly to me. What I found in his gaze was much worse, though.
It was pity.
Unlike the others, he seemed to understand the true nature of my situation. He knew I didn’t want this, that I would have rather kept my humanity. Moreover, with me gone, he was now the First Pawn of our Quadrant. If anything else changed in the Board’s high ranks, he would be forced to move up, and I had the feeling he shared my sentiments in that respect.
The King stepped next to me, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Rook Stonehelm is more than glad to join the high ranks, isn’t that so?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I said with a bow.
Dragoslav had warned me to be respectful, to remember what the King had offered me—unless I wanted Maximus to change his mind about Timotei’s freedom.
I did not.
I would play his game and win.
Even if the King ordered me to break into the White Place and steal the Queen herself, Timotei and I would get free from this place.