Captive of the Horde King (Horde Kings of Dakkar Book 1) by Zoey Draven

Author:Zoey Draven [Draven, Zoey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Arokan didn’t return to the tent until the crescent moon was already high in the sky.

I was sitting, in my pants and tunic, on a floor cushion with my knees pulled up to my chest, listening to the quiet, to the gentle flicker of the candle flames, when he ducked inside.

My gaze darted to him and I inhaled a slow breath. All day I’d prepared for this, but it still didn’t prepare me for the shame I felt when I saw his expression.

The afternoon and evening had not calmed his ire towards me. It showed, plain as day. I thought of his strength, how easily he’d killed the Ghertun, and for the first time since he’d taken me from my village…I wondered if he would hurt me too.

Whatever he would do to me…I could take, I thought, steeling my spine though I didn’t quite meet his gaze fully.

“How is the warrior?” I asked softly. It was a question I’d thought constantly since I left the clearing. He’d been hurt because of me, because I’d distracted Arokan by questioning his decision, because I’d prolonged an execution that had always been inevitable.

“He will heal,” Arokan said, his voice terse.

Relief went through me, though it was slight. “Can I…can I see him?”

“Nik,” Arokan growled immediately. “You cannot.”

My heart raced and I swallowed the thick lump in my throat.

Long moments passed. I waited. And waited.

Finally, I couldn’t take the silence anymore. With all the courage I could muster, I looked up at Arokan, who was standing before me.

“I’m sorry,” I said, my tone clear, though my voice shook slightly. “I—I never could have imagined that…that…”

“Division breeds uncertainty and fear,” Arokan said. “Do not ever question me in front of the horde again, Morakkari. Do not ever question me in front of my warriors or our enemies, Morakkari.”

I flinched. His soft words somehow seemed worse than if he were yelling at me at the top of his lungs. I almost wished he would. But I realized he probably didn’t want the horde to hear.

This was a private matter. And I had made it public, by challenging him in front of his people.

Division breeds uncertainty and fear.

He meant division between us. This was between us.

“I’m sorry,” I said again. “But I wasn’t prepared for an execution. You said it was a trial. I thought I could save his—”

“It is not about what you want, Luna,” Arokan growled. “It is about what keeps the horde safe. My decision ensured that.”

“Then we were already divided before we ever stepped foot onto that dais,” I said quietly. “Why didn’t you tell me? You didn’t think I could handle it? You kept me in the dark when you knew what would happen, when you and only you had already decided his fate.”

“Do not turn this around on me, kalles,” he said softly.

That reminded me of something. “You called me nekkar earlier,” I said. “Why?”

“To remind you,” he growled.

“Of what? My lowly place in this universe?”

“That until recently, you said you did not know of the Ghertuns’ existence,” Arokan said and I froze.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.