The carriage rolled into the night, each jolt sending spikes of pain through my mud-caked knees. Roric sat across from me, his bulky frame taking up most of the seat, a smug grin stretched across his scarred face.
"You know," Roric began, breaking the tense silence, "you remind me of Lord Malachi's previous father-in-law."
I stiffened, trying to control my racing heart. "I wasn't aware Lord Malachi had been married before."
Roric's laugh was like gravel underfoot. "Oh yes. Lovely woman. Her father was much like you—a gambling man who couldn't pay his debts."
My mouth went dry. "What happened to him?"
"Had an unfortunate accident." Roric leaned forward, his fetid breath washing over me. "Lord Malachi arranged it personally. Left the body where no one would find it."
I swallowed hard, feeling sweat trickle down my spine despite the night chill. "Are you threatening me, Roric?"
