I cocked my brow. “You certainly flew fast enough to escape me not long ago.”
Fiona smiled slowly. “Perhaps I should rephrase. You may kill my body, but Da’arvass will have his revenge. And I will be granted a new, mortal life, while you will languish with him for a very painful eternity.”
Hayley scoffed. “What rubbish.”
“Who might you be?” Fiona asked, her voice silken. “His fuck toy?”
“His wife.”
I smiled at the shock that flicked over Fiona’s beautiful face. “Right. I’ve fulfilled my father’s will. I have the absolute authority to sentence you to death for your crimes, Fiona. Yours and Damon’s.”
“You married ahuman?” Fiona looked Hayley up and down in contempt. “Humans don’t count as wives or mates. You know that.”
“She’s also my fated mate.” I grinned. “Chosen by Lanokota.”
“Lanokota has no power over Da’arvass,” Fiona spat. “Nor over me.”
“I wouldn’t gamble on that assumption, my dear,” I replied. “It might prove to be your undoing.”
“Your threats mean nothing to me,” Fiona grated. “I will take your power. I will eradicate this pestilence called the human species. And Da’arvass will rule this world at my side.”
I sighed noisily. “Outside of your paltry boasting, dearie, what is it you want? Why are you here?”
Fiona eyed Hayley again, then visibly dismissed her. “I thought to strike a bargain with you, Alaric. Hand authority over to me, and I’ll spare your life. You can live in peace in our homeland, perhaps even mate with a dragon, instead of this sniveling thing.”
I buffed my nails on my shirt, then examined them closely. “Live in peace while you plunder the earth. Is that it?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s Damon?”
“At the moment, I’ve no idea,” Fiona answered. “He has nothing to do with this.”
“No? So, what have you promised him in exchange for his help? I expected he would rule at your side, not Da’arvass.”
“Once I have your promise, Damon will no longer be of use to me. Should he bow to me in homage, I will spare his life.”
“And if he doesn’t? You’ll kill him?”
“Of course.”
“And if I don’t agree?” I asked, smiling cruelly, “you’ll keep him around so he can inherit after my death?”
“I may not need him for that, either,” Fiona said sharply. “With the aid of Da’arvass, your kinsman may become obsolete. I may keep him as my pet, if he pleases me.”
“Ah. Does Damon know just how insignificant he truly is?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Right now, his hatred of you is useful to me. Once he kills you, should you not agree to my bargain, then his fate will be in the balance.”
“I watched that brave dragon flee from Alaric in terror,” Hayley commented dryly. “You think Damon can best him in a fight?”
“Silence, you foolish girl,” Fiona snapped. “You know nothing. You’re a gnat compared with me.”
“A gnat, eh?” Hayley smiled. “Even a gnat can be annoying. Like this.”
Before I reacted in time to stop her, Hayley stepped forward and slapped Fiona across her cheek with her open hand.
Gaping in shock, Fiona lifted her hand to her flaming cheek, staring at Hayley. “You hit me.”
