I can feel the sharp glances of Fae eyes piercing through me, each one a reminder of my status as an outsider. But I refuse to shrink before them, and even more I refuse to allow Daed to spread vicious lies.
“We are not part of the Legion,” I hiss through clenched teeth. “They’re more like you than they are like us.” I enunciate each word, ensuring there’s no room for misunderstanding. “Cold-blooded killers.”
A hush blankets the gathering of Mordorin, their eyes now fixed on Daed. He stands unfazed, an air of calm arrogance surrounding him as if nothing could rattle his composure.
“They sound marvelous,” he drawls, almost stifling a yawn. “Perhaps I should have married one of them instead.”
“Perhaps I should have bargained with the Golden Son instead of you,” I shoot back, my tone sharper than I intended. The weight of my words sinks in too late.
Daed’s eyes blaze with a fierce intensity, the first fracture in his icy demeanor.
“Perhaps,” he breathes, his gaze so penetrating that I struggle to hold his eyes.
Daed’s gaze drifts to the sky just as the encroaching storm clouds swallow the last remnants of sunlight. A crack of thunder precedes the sudden downpour, rain cascading over the chiseled planes of his chest. He closes his eyes, tilting his face upward, as if savoring the cool rush that dances over his skin. Water trails down the contours of his body, accentuating every sharp angle, and when he finally turns back to me, he runs a hand through his damp hair, sending droplets flying in every direction.
“In any case, this has merely been a sample. It is the first night of The Warrior’s Eye moon. My Blades and I depart for the thrall house of Eyr’Drogul.” The Blades erupt into eager cheers and applause around him. “So, I’m afraid, wife, I will be denied your company for a time.”
He looks at me with that soft haze masking his hard edge, and I will not allow myself to fall under his spell.
“I’m sure you will manage,” I reply curtly. I turn to Arax. “I think we are done here.”
I turn my back on him, striding towards the sanctuary of the castle as the rain continues to fall, not daring to look over my shoulder. Arax follows, but we both come to a stop when a cackle comes from behind us.
“She has you on a short leash, Arax.”
We turn as the Reaper pursuing us removes their helmet, revealing Frane smiling beneath. I know for certain she was not a Reaper aboard the ship. She was a Blade, like the rest. But something has clearly changed since then.
“It looks good on you,” she taunts. “Babysitting this human. Do you nurse her from your breast as well?”
“Watch your tongue, Frane,” Arax growls. “She may be human, but she is still a princess of The Mordorin, and just because you wear the armor does not make you better than me.”
Frane grits her teeth as she steps into him. “No. Being better than you makes me better than you. What say you, old man? Care to spar, or has the human made you weak?”
Arax looks over at me, his eyes narrow, his face calm. “Get out of the rain, princess. I will join you soon.”
Frane’s gaze is like standing too close to fire. I feel it hot on my skin, and if I linger too long, I will surely get burnt. I nod reluctantly, hurrying into the fortress and seeking refuge from the rain.
I shake the dampness from my dress, wringing out the rain-soaked strands of my braid. Just as I’m about to find some solace, a flicker of movement catches my eye in the shadows. There, I spot the unmistakable shroud helm of a Reaper tucked beneath one arm, while his other arm wraps possessively aroundthe waist of a slender Fae girl. They are lost in a passionate, breathless kiss, oblivious to the world around them.
When I gasp, they pry apart. The girl’s hand shoots to cover her mouth while the Reaper quickly pulls his helmet on, but not before I glimpse his dimpled chin, wide set jaw and long raven hair knotted at the back of his head.
“Your Highness,” he says gruffly as he bows, then swiftly walks past me to rejoin the Mordorin in the courtyard.
I’m left alone with the young girl who I know too well, her dark eyes welling with fear.
“Solena,” I say.
She gulps. “Your Highness… I…”
Arax appears behind me and takes in the situation. “What are you doing here? You are not allowed near the courtyard.”
Solena’s lips tremble, and I stand in front of her, blocking her from Arax.
“She was looking for me,” I say, sparing her Arax’s wrath.
Arax furrows his brow suspiciously, but I blurt something out before he has time to delve too deep.
“I want to return to my chambers straight away. I am soaked to the bone.”
