The Blood King - Chapter Ten (Patreon)

Nymira

The presence behind me is powerful. My body knows that instinctually. It radiates danger, almost crippling me with the unspoken threat to my life. He holds me down with ease, and for some reason, the air has grown warmer with his presence, weakening me more than the sun’s rays.

He tightens his grip as he speaks again, forcing a groan of pain from my lips.

“I said, do you understand?” he asks. His tone reveals his irritation at repeating himself, making me think of our first meeting in the dark.

“I am not usually so patient when my questions remain unanswered.”

He is now emphasizing that statement.

“I understand,” I growl through gritted teeth.

He waits for a moment, letting the silent threat of his strength linger between us. I cannot break free if I wanted. I may have been born a warrior, but my training over the years has been instinct-driven. He is a king and has more than likely had formal training. I don’t know why he feels so threatened by me. He has already said how harmless I am, not only because I know nothing of my people, but because I am an Ikniri without a mark—unless there is more he is keeping from me. 

He finally releases me, forcing a grunt of pain from my lips as I fall forward, rubbing my wrist. But just as he commanded, I keep my gaze forward. He doesn’t move, nor does he speak, so I keep my gaze trained on the fountain I was content to amuse myself in before he interrupted me. 

“Now what? Have you come to execute the last Ikniri?” I ask, letting my bitterness seep through.

He laughs. “Would I have allowed you food, clothing, and medicine if I were just going to execute you in my gardens?” he asks.

I bite my tongue from the response threatening to leave my lips. I know nothing about this king or his temperament. Mocking him about who these gardens truly belong to doesn’t seem like the wisest thing to do at this moment, while he is at my back.

I’ve heard what he is capable of only a day ago in the throne room.

“Then why have you joined me here?” I ask.

Silence drifts between us. I don’t know if my question angers him or has him contemplating. I hear him moving, his footsteps carrying him closer until I feel the heat of his body right behind me, his shadow stretching out in front of me. His shadow is large, and I don’t know if it’s from his proximity or the direction of the sun.

“I received multiple reports that you were attempting an escape through the gardens. Apparently, you launched yourself from the balcony and into the foliage,” he says.

I note that he reveals he has more than Caius and the servant whose been following me around watching me. My senses may be returning, but they are not strong enough to sense how many eyes are on me in this place. And for some reason, he is keeping a lot. 

“So you did come to execute me,” I say, breaking the silence.

“I came to subdue you. But you didn’t seem to be in a hurry to escape,” he says.

I fight the chill threatening my spine as he admits to coming to hunt me down.

“Only from your man. He is quite annoying,” I say, focusing on my fingers.

“Funny, he says the same about you. He said you’ve been difficult today.”

I scoff. “You sound surprised.”

“And why wouldn’t I be?” he asks.

I slowly shift so that I am seated as I continue to study the water. His shadow has shifted. I can see that he is standing directly behind me. But I cannot see his reflection in the water. I pull in a trembling breath as the heat continues to exhaust me, making me wonder if I’m not as healed as I would like to think I am.

“All I’ve heard since I arrived is how unruly my kind is. Is it not in my nature to be difficult?” I ask.

He laughs, shocking me. It’s as if he is truly amused by my observation.

“I suppose.”

I don’t understand this king. While his presence remains intimidating, he seems to have calmed down from the hostility he showed earlier. Seeing where it stemmed from, however, makes me wary of the hospitality I’ve been afforded. He must be getting something out of having me here. He hasn’t taken me in out of the kindness of his heart.

“Now that you’ve confirmed I am not trying to escape, will you leave me alone?” I ask.

“Careful, Ikniri. My hospitality only extends as far as my patience,” he says, his tone cold. But I cannot shiver. The heat is almost unbearable at this point, rising with his anger.

I release a bitter laugh, shaking my head.

“My name is not Ikniri,” I snap. “And I did not ask for your hospitality. If it is such an issue for you, then let me go about my life. Contrary to what you believe, I do have one beyond these walls,” I say.

He laughs, but it isn’t amused.

“Do you? Is that why the moment you were spotted, you were captured and brought to my doorstep?” he asks.

“You know nothing,” I murmur.

“I don’t have to. The Ikniri have been outlawed from this world for decades. You being alive is a mistake someone shouldn’t have made, but will be rectified,” he growls. He sounds so angry, as if these are his words and not the feelings of the world. I try to move, but I sway as the heat overwhelms me.

“So you admit, you will execute me. But only when it suits you,” I say.

He’s quiet, realizing his mistake. But after a moment, he speaks again.

“That is not what I said—”

“You don’t have to say it. You obviously have the same prejudice against my kind as the rest of the world. Unfortunately, I had no part in whatever it was that caused the Ancients to turn against them. I am only left to suffer for it,” I say.

The king is silent. I have no intention of breaking that silence. This conversation has been as enlightening as it has been hopeless. This is my prison now, and with so many eyes on me, and no access to my power as an Ikniri, I am in a worse off position than I was hiding in the forests with Peyra. I don’t know this king’s intentions or why he won’t let me look him in the eyes on the few times we’ve encountered one another.

Suddenly, I hear his footsteps. They’re moving away. I bite my bottom lip, gripping my fist as I gather the courage to turn around. The first thing I notice is his broad build. He is a warrior, if nothing else. His long dark hair is gathered in a ponytail that falls past his waist. He’s wearing long robes, so I cannot see his arms beyond them.

He is king, there is no doubt. I see it in the way he carries himself.

“I will send Caius to get you,” he calls to me, not turning so that I can see his face.

This king is even more of a mystery to me now than before.

* * * * *

The hall is quiet as Caius leads me back to my room. I am grateful for the silence, as it gives me time to think about my encounter with the king, and more importantly, why he keeps his identity hidden from me.

“You gave everyone a scare, jumping into the gardens like that,” Caius says, breaking the silence.

I scoff. “So you admit, there are multiple eyes on me,” I say.

“Of course. You are the last of your kind, here in our walls. The king wouldn’t risk such an encounter of fate,” he says.

“And yet, you still have no intention of telling me what your king is up to,” I say.

Caius remains silent, answering my question for me.

“You should be careful, Iknir—er, Nymira. This place isn’t for you to figure out. It’s for you to behave, while you are being granted mercy,” he says.

His tone is serious, placing me on edge as I think of the king’s threatening presence in the gardens. If not for his observation of me, he would have slain me for “attempting to escape” I am sure of it.

“If you really thought I was trying to escape, why didn’t you try to stop me yourself?” I ask.

I note that he hesitates before answering.

“It is not my place to stop an Ancient. Only the king has that status,” he says.

I raise a brow in confusion. He’s just admitted that this king, whoever he is, isn’t human. He must be an Ancient as well. The question is, which of the Ancients is he? Why occupy a human castle and take in an Ikniri that could start this war all over again?

We finally reach my room, where the servant who has been by my side waits, bowing as we approach. Caius stops, allowing me to move past him.

“I will come and get you once dinner is ready. Try not to make any trouble by then.”