Ashes of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #2) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,127

my open wound to seal it. The sizzle and scent of burning flesh filled the tent, causing my stomach to churn.

I closed my eyes and swallowed past the scream that sat at the back of my throat, which I refused to allow to escape.

Once composed, I schooled my expression and turned to stare at Brander. He took in my burned flesh, shaking his head, tilting it to the side as he opened his mouth, then clamped it closed, deciding against whatever he was about to say.

He ran his hand over his face, closing his eyes and tilting his head toward the tent’s ceiling, staring at the blue sky.

“Gods damn, woman.” Brander’s startling blue eyes lowered to mine before lifting once more.

“I’m ready,” I whispered, gaining enough air to speak clearly.

“Did that just fucking happen? I mean, I saw it happen, but I’ve seen grown men scream like a bitch when a bone dislocates! Not Aria, she’s like oh, my bad, let me slide this bitch-ass bone back into place. Oh, and who the fuck needs ribs, anyway?” Lore snorted, pushing his hands through his hair.

Greer wrapped his cloak over my naked body, slowly easing me down onto the bed. He turned, staring at Knox, who had yet to speak as he stared down at me.

His jaw clenched, grinding together as he turned, staring toward the tent’s opening as if intending to bail to avoid looking at my damaged face.

Chapter Forty-Two

“Everyone out now,” Knox whispered hoarsely, bending down to pick up my discarded rib. “Killian, prepare a small group of men to travel with us into the mountains. But only the few you trust to remain silent about what we’re planning to do. Lore, have the women set out ale and get the camp followers to keep Lord Andres and his men busy for a few hours. Greer, help Brander gather what he needs to prepare Aria for travel through the mountain passes. She won’t be able to walk.”

“I can walk just fine,” I stated, watching his eyes return to mine. “I’m not your fucking damsel, King Karnavious. I’m Aria Hecate. I am not a weak-ass bitch who needs coddling by you or any other man. You must have me confused with your other whore outside, weeping and waiting for you to notice her.”

“Out, now.” Knox’s jaw clenched and unclenched, his eyes burning with rage and unease, a strange combination for him.

The men escaped the tent as if dire wolves were giving chase while Knox stared at me. After a moment, he kneeled directly in front of me.

“You aimed for my throat, Aria, but you missed. You hit my heart. You’re not allowed to speak about my deceased wife nor my son, do you understand me?”

“I didn’t miss,” I stated, glaring at him.

Knox’s eyes searched my face, finding the truth of my words. His anger pulsated through the tent, smothering the air with the tension. He rattled, and I answered it, even though it hurt like hell to do so.

His eyes dropped to my chest, and he shook his head, standing to move to the chest, withdrawing a new dress. He pulled me up, causing a cry to escape my lips as he removed the cloak Greer had placed over my shoulders to shield my nudity from the men.

“Some wounds never heal. Some fester, and when you scratch the surface of the scab, you make them ooze poison. Don’t do it again. I shouldn’t have hit you, but you don’t make it easy for me when you use your claws.”

“It’s not my job to make this easy on you. I’m nothing but a witch who didn’t even warrant your protection. I think it is best we identify where the lines are in this arrangement early on, and now we have. I mean nothing to you, and I’m okay with that. You’re nothing to me, and now we know where we stand and what we mean to one another. Absolutely fucking nothing,” I whispered, wincing at the pain that speaking caused.

“You think you mean nothing to me?” Knox carefully pulled the dress over my head as he studied my face, more than likely unable to judge anything past the swelling.

“I honestly don’t give a fuck if I do or don’t anymore. I will escape you again and again. I will never be yours, King Karnavious. I won’t be a tool you use to harm innocent beings. If you were only against the witches who had unjustly wronged the Nine Realms, I would