I didn’t have a chance to ask if she would join before entering an enormously beautiful ballroom. Pillars supported aremarkably tall and skillfully painted ceiling. Artists crafted the entire palace into an enchanted castle.
Tables filled half the room, while the other remained free for dancing and mingling. At the far end of the chamber were massive archways framed by soft, flowing fabric leading to a balcony. As I moved into the space, it felt like hundreds of eyes landed on me, but I saw none of them, for my attention snapped to the Sidhe King.
“Ariana, the Leader Superior of the Bavadrins.” He announced, and though he simply spoke the words, all heard his voice.
Clause’s icy gaze traveled down the length of me, taking in the deep red fabric clinging to every curve before flowing to the floor. A chill raced through me, stemming from everywhere that his eyes touched, before rising to meet with mine once more. He tilted his head towards the table at his side, a silent command to join him and the others already seated. Half of them with necks nearly breaking to get a good look at me, their King’s new puppet.
Gritting my teeth, I closed the gap between us. Those still standing parted for me, providing a path to their King. Somehow, besides the immense space of the room, I found myself at his side in hardly any time.
He wore black, of course. I tried not to dwell on what Edda once told me, that black was best for hiding blood. I’d learned that firsthand, helping an injured child at the orphanage. Head wounds bled more than I ever imagined. The little girl was fine, thank the Spirit, but my dress had been soaked. Was that why he favored the color?
“Olive outdid herself. You are absolutely stunning,” Clause commented, taking my hand in his and bringing a knuckle tohis lips. Though the touch was fleeting, I barely resisted the urge to yank my hand from him.
His presence was commanding, even without brute size. Broad shoulders narrowed into a lean waist, and his long legs moved with an effortless, fluid grace. As if he was more feline than man, all quiet strength and lethal elegance.
“Thanks. Maybe I will take her with me when I leave,” I said with a tight smile. This was now a strange game I played, tiptoeing an edge where I wondered how far his hospitality towards me would go if I continued to stand my ground without apology.
It did not bother him in the least. Instead, a smirk curled at his lips, and he gently led me to the table where he introduced me to several men, none of whose names I cared to commit to memory. The only familiar face was that of Malavika, someone I had not seen since my arrival. She flashed a smile at me, though the hate in her eyes was palpable.
I sat in the seat directly at Clause’s side. It was the first time we didn’t have an entire table between us while we ate, and I missed having that buffer. For the first several minutes, the men practically kissed the floor their King walked on with their words. Praise and agreement were the only things thrown Clause’s way.
Useless yes men, all of them.The worst part was they did not appear to possess any useful knowledge of the lands or their King. The smartest of Clause’s minions at the table was likely Mal, and given our previous encounter, I doubted she would be easy to discretely pull information from.
They droned on and on about absolutely nothing of importance. My gaze drifted to the side, looking at the balcony and the darkness beyond. I craved to be out there, for the freedomthe night air offered, instead of being surrounded by these fools.
“So, are all Bavadrin leaders as beautiful as you?” The Sidhe sitting before me asked.
Ugh.
“I’m sure some found Fraser pretty,” I commented with a shrug. My hand tightened around my fork in annoyance.
“Shit leadership seems to run amongst the Bavadrins,” Malavika stated abruptly, speaking for the first time during the torturous dinner.
“What?” My gaze narrowed, turning to her while she threw daggers with her eyes. The Lysian sat diagonally from me, placing me easily in her line of sight, as was her King.
“I heard your father could not produce the only heir he has ever wanted, because of his soft spot for his wife.” She smirked, vicious darkness dancing in her eyes.
“Malavika,” Clause warned, the tone firm.
My ears burned hot from the heat moving within and I leaned towards her. “Soft spot?” Was she delusional? Fraser had brutely murdered my mother.
She sat back, keeping her focus on me. “He didn’t kill his wife soon enough, and instead allowed for her to abort every single son he impregnated her with.”
Clause’s hand slammed the table so hard that we all jumped. “Leave.” His gaze pinned her.
She looked at him in shock. “Are you serious?”
“I will not tell you again.” It was his only response. The words clipped.
Mal stared at him for another moment, as if hoping he would reconsider. Her neck turned blotchy and red from the emotions she was doing her best to keep bottled, but a look ofhurt still sliced through before she stood and left. She not once looked at me again.
Aborted every single son he impregnated her with.Ridiculous. And yet, it suddenly became difficult for me to draw breath. Why would she have said something like that? The world around me closed in, sending a jolt down my spine.
My stomach twisted. I was going to be sick.
“Excuse me.” I stood without waiting for a reply of any sort and dashed to the balcony. Faces blurred past me as I rushed towards the outdoors.
The night greeted me, though because of the moon and the snow reflecting off the higher mountain peaks, it was not dark. I could see far over the city and terrain. No longer closed in by walls and strangers, I finally found myself able to gulp down deep breaths.
