Chapter 27 · The Voice Beneath the Throne

"Take one more step and I open your throat."

Cedric stopped with one boot on the blood-chamber threshold.

My blade pressed under his jaw. His skin was warm against the edge, and one thin line of red slipped down his neck. He didn't reach for the sword at his hip. He didn't even look afraid.

That annoyed me more than fear would have.

"You always greet your commander like this?" he asked.

"Only when he hides a woman from me."

His eyes dropped to my hand. "Your grip is too tight. You'll cut deeper than you mean to."

"Try me."

The chamber doors stood open behind him. Inside, black stone circled a sunken basin filled with dark red liquid. The blood map lay under the surface, sealed beneath glass and iron. Three pieces of it had already been removed.

The fourth shard sat on the altar between us.

Cedric had blocked my path to it for the last ten minutes.

He'd ordered the guards out. Locked the throne chamber behind us. Taken my wrist when I reached for the seal.