"You don’t have that sword I gave you," she said innocently. Everything about her was innocent. Centuries ago she gave me a sword, and yet, she never really imagined either it or me covered in blood.

Her naivete will get her killed someday. I just never thought it’d be by me. Pity I have to go to all that work.

"I lost it when I was injured," I said. "I haven’t seen it since."

"Do you wish to have it back?" she asked. It was as if she thought someone could go out into the wilderness, and all the mercenaries and monsters would listen to her because she was in charge of several hundred people inside a wall that kept the beasts from devouring them.

"I’ve gone after it a few times," I said. "My heart’s never set on my weapons."

She smiled at me. That idiotic smile… the smile of someone who had never seen blood. It didn’t belong on a ruler.

Maybe there was a chance to spare her. Maybe I didn’t have to. "You still intent not to share your little prize?" I asked. "He’s no more than one elf. If you wished you could have several at your disposal, many strange elfin instruments… No one would ever mourn one elf. They murder… or they bring it."

She was about to open her mouth and reiterate that she felt he was here by his own free will and a boy in such a position was irreplaceable.

She thought the only shackles to exist were those made of metal. I almost pity her. She’s lasted too long with a mind that does not belong in this world—maybe not in any.

That boy was a possession. I wasn’t going to let my sister keep things from me that I wanted.

She had kept this kingdom from me for long enough and I stood by. I went out into the wilderness and I made myself the ruler. I thought others what it meant to refuse to be my subject.

Now she keeps this boy from me. There ware things I wish to own, and those are people. Whether there are walls and they toil safe from the hardships of the hungry monsters outside, or whether they fight for their life every day not to end up in pieces on a large tooth, I want them. And I make them mine. I thought the only one to ever hurt me a lesson he’ll take to hell.

"You’ll get him back alive," I said. She never heard the subtleties of my words or voice. She thought it was a joke.

I learned long ago conquests were best taken by force. I ruled. I would not be kept from any pleasure my subjects could offer.

I learned soon after that they either take revenge or lie there pitifully whimpering. Either way, it is best to put them out of their misery. Or mine. Then… I learned I liked it.

If I could have what I wanted, I’d never have to steal it. She wouldn’t have to give me her kingdom, only a chance to share her precious little toy. She’d have him back when I’m done. I’d be careful.

"He’s not for sharing. He likes it here and he chooses to bed me. There’s no one else for him, believe me.

"He’s not worth dying for, I said.

"He is," she said dreamily.

"I should go," I said, stepping out of the bath and reaching for my armor—scant though it was.

I’d hold her to that.