Indeed. She’d executed nearly every one of the last Imperial generation. Brand didn’t know how fortunate he was that she liked him.
How sweet.
He attempted to twist his face into something resembling contrition—an unfamiliar feeling if ever there was one. “My sincerest apologies. You know how I can be. It was dreadfully boring scouting Glynmor, and I was incapable of helping myself.”
Let her think him a mindless murderer. That he hadn’t carefully strategized his movements for longer than she’d been alive. That he wasn’t playing a game she couldn’t hope to comprehend, let alone win.
She let her nails rake their way out with a snarl, leaving fresh slices down his jaw. Normally, the aggressive act would’ve aroused him. His licentious urges knew no bounds. If it had at least one hole and he could make his dick fit, he’d try anything.
With her, nothing.
Interesting.
Apparently there were some lines evenhewouldn’t cross.
“We are close enough to our goal that I am feeling somewhat benevolent, and so you shall live.” She spun on her heel and sat down again, a perfect picture of boredom when he knew she was anything but.
He lowered his chin, not quite capable of forcing his body into the bow she may have expected. “You are gracious, as always.”
“It has nothing to do with grace.” She crossed her legs and gripped the arms of her seat, the white of her skin blending near perfectly with its surface. “Replacing you would be another time-consuming inconvenience and I’m tired of waiting. Tired of relying on others for what I would accomplish much better myself.”
Thatgot his attention. His plans were centered on her reliance. If she no longer depended on him… “What did you have in mind?”
She smirked at him, the look wicked as they came. “Why do I have a feeling that telling you would be a mistake?”
He pretended affront, his chuckle masked by a feigned gasp. “I am only here to serve you, even if I occasionally misstep.”
“Hmm… I think I’ll let it be a surprise.” Her pale eyes glinted and, for the first time in centuries, he actually felt something akin to real nervousness. “You will continue hiding among them and relaying relevant information, but be ready.”
“For what, exactly?”
“Oh, trust me”—Her smirk twisted into a full-blown grin—“you’ll know. Now get the fuck out of my sight.”
He plastered an answering smile onto his own face, blood boiling as he scrambled internally. “It shall be as you say.” His body released his features and morphed into another’s, already misting into the ether when he added, “I will be waiting.”
Waiting to wring her little fucking neck at the first viable opportunity.
In the end,all they’d worked out before re-entering Straelon was… absolutely nothing.
Nothing that made sense. Nothing that lined up.
Not that there’d been much time for deep conversation.
Lunara slumped back against a long table in the great hall, the chaos of an abandoned breakfast littered across its surface, and fought to keep her lids from drooping. Ignoring the half-eaten sausage staring back at her from a porcelain plate was becoming increasingly difficult—especially since both Magnus and Thaddeus had no such reservations.
Lyriat had taken one look at their faces as they’d stumbled in, seen Hedda fast asleep in Faldir’s arms, and commanded the remainder of their party to‘stay right fucking there’before taking Hedda to bed with Brand and Faldir on his heels.
“Where shall I put her, my lady?”
Lunara shook herself and looked up at Baldrir,Fernlimp in his arms. “Oh, umm…”
“My lady?”
Lunara blinked her eyes open. “Stars above, forgive me, Baldrir. We haven’t slept and I…” she lightly smacked both of her cheeks, hoping the sting would help her focus. “The room next to mine would be ideal, if possible.”
“I’ll see it done.” He started to turn away, saying over his shoulder, “If you like, Nyri and I can?—”
“Move!”
