Ruins of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #3) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,73

find Brander, but she rushed away. I asked other guards, and they bitched out and away from me like little girls. I knew the guards stationed at the edge of camp literally could not run away. I asked them where he was, found him, turned my ass around, came back to camp where Killian discovered me, and then tended to my hands. You came in, and now we’re here. So, pray-tell, what the fuck are you thinking I did now?”

“You’re a witch who willingly touched hemlock,” Brander stated.

I nodded because I couldn’t argue with that fact. “Do you know how rare it is to find hemlock in a flowering form in the human realm? It’s only grown in certain locals, and we made damn sure it didn’t grow around us. Not that it stopped my mother from growing it in an attempt to murder me,” I muttered. “Just take my fucking head already. It would be so much easier than the accusations and the bipolar King of Norvalla, who intends to do it, anyway.”

“Aria, go find Greer and sit with him,” Knox growled.

I threw my hands into the air before rattling in frustration, hearing three answering rattles as I exited the tent. Moving through camp, I found Greer beside a table, watching warriors train.

“You’re such a hussy, Meat Suit,” I stated, and he peered over at me.

“Oh, are you talking to me now, Peasant?” he asked.

“You’re on babysitting duty, along with them,” I announced, hiking my thumb at my silent guards.

“I see Knox didn’t strangle you in your sleep. Pity that.” Greer teased. I sat beside him, resting my chin in my hands while we watched the men train.

Chapter Nineteen

As night fell, we moved to sit beside one of the bigger bonfires. Greer watched me, moping in silence even though he’d tried several times to engage me in conversation. Men and women milled about, and witches watched me openly as if they expected me to attack or start a revolt at any moment.

“I welcome your silence, but I feel as if you’re hurting tonight, Peasant. You’ve had a lot happen to you in the short time you’ve been here, and I worry that at any moment, all your emotions are going to come out, causing asteroids to land on us all.”

“I prefer meteors. They’re easier to control,” I mumbled as Greer snorted.

“Are you okay?” he asked, and I turned, rolling my eyes for maximum effect.

“Is anyone Knox liked ever, okay? I mean, I totally get the one-night stand thing that’s happened because one night of him is enough to drive you insane.”

“Wounded creatures will attack whatever touches their injuries or hurts them.” Greer sat back to stare at the dancing flames. “They attack first and then regret it afterward. Knox’s wounds are deep, and you’re digging into them, whether by choice or by just being you. He doesn’t know how to let anyone in. He’s had to remain strong for his kingdom and his family. He’s had no one rattle him before, you know. He’s never faced something like you, and it can’t be easy wanting something that goes against everything he’s been fighting against for five hundred years.”

“That wasn’t my fault, Meat Suit. I get that he’s hurt, but why am I punished for something that happened a very long time ago? I wasn’t alive, and I don’t want to hurt Knox. I wanted to do what I came here to accomplish, but he’s fought me every step of the way. Something happens, and he grabs onto it with everything he has and holds on. He’s given me whiplash,” I admitted.

“I have an idea.”

“On how to treat whiplash in this hellhole?” Greer stood and moved to a bag on a table adorned with glasses near an enormous whiskey barrel.

Greer pulled out a silver iPod and walked over to a shirtless warrior. Pointing at it, Greer lifted his hands into the air and leaned closer to the guard, running his finger over his chest. The guard smirked, and I turned away to glance over the flames, finding Knox, Brander, and Killian taking a seat on the other side of the bonfire. My eyes held Knox’s for a moment before dropping back to the flames. Greer grabbed my hand and bowed low at the waist while I looked around at those who had turned to watch him.

“Greer, did you, by chance, take drugs?” I whispered in a hushed tone.

His head lifted, and his ancient blue eyes held mine. “I’m asking you