Chapter 8

8

DAX

F rom the first moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was mine. An ache I had never felt before grew in my chest as her bright sapphire eyes looked up at me. I saw the strength behind those eyes. The satisfaction I felt when I realized my father had not broken her made me force a frown on my face. Because the smile that tried to crawl across my lips would not do in front of my father. He would see me beaten for such a cheerful smile.

I know Eira hates my guts as much as she hates my father, but that doesn’t lessen the need I feel for her to be mine. A little raven trapped within a gilded cage of my own making. I can’t think of a better analogy than that. Better to be trapped in a gilded cage than the cold, dank place I’m sure my father held her in.

When Ash had called her a snow bunny, I had to bite my lip to avoid laughing. She looked as if she wished to punch him in the face for uttering a name such as that. To be honest, I would have happily taken a beating from my father to watch that happen. I’m sure Ash would have let her get a hit in too. The man loves bloodshed, whether it be his or a prisoner’s. It’s why he is so good at interrogation; he doesn’t mind the blood spatter.

I smirk as I think over the last week and how her face contorted every time he was assigned as her guard. Her eyes seem to glow with anger each time he calls her a snow bunny. It’s amusing if I’m honest. It makes the long days bearable and this cold castle feel a bit warmer.

I had started to wonder when she would finally confront me about leaving the castle, but I was not expecting her to be bold enough to fling open my doors the way she did. To be honest, it took me off guard at first. To see her fury and meet my gaze unflinchingly. It takes courage to confront someone you believe to be a villain. Even more so when the villain is the son of an even greater villain.

Thinking about my father has me huffing out a heavy sigh and rubbing at the handprint branded across my chest. I did not expect her words to burn as deeply as my father’s hand. Though a woman filled with that much fire is sure to burn any man who dares to cross her path. Even a cold-hearted man like me.

“ She did not mean her words, Dax .”

Jolted out of my thoughts, I peer over my shoulder to find Reverie hiding in the corner. Always wrapped in shadows. His dark skin allows such grace, but I believe Rev is more comfortable watching from the shadows and dark spaces of the castle. I’m sure my other men could hide within the shadows as well, but the man in front of me appears to be darkness incarnate. Turning away from him and back toward the window, I stare out at the wasteland that is my kingdom. “ She meant them, Rev . She doesn’t seem like a woman who says things she does not mean.”

He steps out of the corner and away from the darkness. I can hear his footsteps, which means he wishes for me to hear him as he comes to stand beside me. My silent killer. A true assassin within my ranks. “ She is a child. Her words are those of a naive princess who does not know any better.”

I huff out a laugh. “ She is anything but a child. Naive ? Yes , but that is her parents’ fault for not providing her with the proper education for a queen-to-be. My father certainly would not have educated her while she was his prisoner. She was his toy to play with and break, nothing more.”

Groaning , I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to stave off the headache I can feel behind my eyes. Rev stands closer, bumping his shoulder into mine. “ She seems to stave off your headaches, and your darkness seems to calm when she is around.”

Sighing , I take a seat on my chair. Lounging back, I close my eyes. “ Yes , it does seem like she soothes the turbulence within my mind. Not that her opinion of me would change with that knowledge. I believe she would purposefully stay away if she were aware.”

I feel him lean against the desk beside me. “ You think she is that vindictive and cunning?”

“ I think her hatred of me is that potent,” I point out. “ She would do it just to spite me, knowing that it would hurt me in doing so.”

He hums thoughtfully as we settle into a comfortable silence. It's a few minutes before Rev huffs out a sigh and asks, “ When do you think your father will visit to check on his pet?”

“ It will not take long,” I say with a grunt. Truthfully , I’m surprised he hasn’t already visited to check up on Eira . I thought he would have shown up here at least a day or so ago. Which means he will be arriving here in the next few days. I groan as I realize this means I should warn her of his presence.

As if reading my thoughts, Rev asks, “ Do you plan to warn her that he will be coming here soon?”

My brows pinch, and the pain behind my eyes increases. My voice sounds strained as I reply, “ I am still thinking about it.”

He laughs. “ I did not think it would be much of a debate, Dax .”

I crack one eye open to glare at him. “ It seems my obsidian heart beats after all. An odd feeling after all these years if I’m honest.”

He winces, hearing my words for what they truly mean. I may not be as cruel as my father, but I am still cruel, nonetheless. To rule the required way, emotions must be stripped away. A cruel prince feels nothing but anger and malice. Though , it seems a certain woman is starting to change that.

“ She will become a weakness,” he says quietly.

My eye falls closed again. “ Then it is good I have six men by my side who I trust with my life.”

He grunts before saying, “ Ash seems enamored by her.”

I shrug. “ He has always been the cheerful one. Maybe his lively attitude will allow her to trust the rest of us.”

His voice is filled with surprise as he asks, “ Us ?”

“ Can you not feel it, brother?”

Confusion laces his words as he says, “ Feel what?”

A grin spreads across my face as I reply, “ She’s ours.”