“Let me ask you something, High Lord,” she whispered, looking up at him. He did not meet her gaze, but stared behind her at the bustling party. “If the second and third most powerful beings alive are joined together and you, the most powerful, stand alone, wouldn’t you say that makes Mal and I the most powerful force alive?”
Reeve’s smirk never faltered. He merely looked down at her and said, “your faith abounds.”
She slid around him and left him without another word.
Maeve stalked out of the party. She felt Mal step into the foyer behind her.
“Going so soon?” He asked as she headed for the fireplace.
The Rosethorn’s Elf servant appeared with a light popping sound sound and handed Maeve her coat. Maeve thanked her and slipped it on.
“Yes,” was all she said.
Mal slipped his hands in his pockets.
“I have better things my time could be occupied with other than these endless and ridiculous parties.”
“These parties are buying me a crown, Maeve.”
“Then go buy it,” she gestured back towards the party.
“What did Reeve say to you?”
“What does it matter? Why don’t you just manipulate my emotions to your desired outcome?”
She turned and stepped into the fire without even looking at him.
The books from her father’s collection were strewn across the sitting table in her room. She was no closer to finding the Dread Armor now than she was months ago.
She blinked rapidly as the words on the page blurred. It was late into the night. The only light in her room came from the candles floating beside her chair. Her thoughts kept shifting to Reeve. He had said she was the third most powerful being alive.
No one had ever called her that.
Her room flashed green. She didn’t look over her shoulder at the fireplace. Mal stood behind her. His face lowered to the side of hers.
“I will not use my pathokenesis abilities on you,” he whispered in her ear.
A trickle of cold magic moved down her neck and slowly infiltrated her chest. She shuddered and closed her eyes as the magic took hold. Her head tilted backwards.
After a moment, heat returned to her skin. She turned in the chair, the book in her lap sliding to the floor, and sat on her knees facing him. She took his face in her hands and kissed him tenderly.
“Thank you,” she whispered as she laid her forehead on his.
“You’re so spoiled,” he said dryly.
Chapter 55
Christmas was within the week. And then it was New Year’s Eve, Mal’s birthday and Coronation.
Maeve was in London looking at townhouses with her father.
“It’s close to Mal,” she said, her voice echoing across the black and white marbled living room. “And it’s gorgeous. But I don’t need this. I can stay at home until Mal secures the Dread Lands and we move there.”
Ambrose shrugged. “Whatever you want, darling. I just wanted to show it to you.”
Maeve smiled. “It’s a lovely thought. Thank you. But I don’t need it.”
Ambrose took her arm as they ventured out onto the chilly street. Ambrose quickly cast an invisible shield charm around them, keeping out the harsh weather and keeping them warm.
