Well, now he’s in the perfect position for a kick in the crotch. The noble is so full of himself that he thinks that he got me this time, or he’s used to abuse helpless palace damsels.
“Surprise, fucker,” I murmur, angling my knee for the perfect kick in his most cherished possessions. And it’s delivered with cruel precision. The air leaves his lungs with a terrifying sound, and he rolls to the side, whining.
Pure music to my ears.
I scramble up, touching my neck where probably bruises are already blossoming, and once again head to the door when a move catches the side of my eye. He’s coming at me again, his resilience stunning. And the sheer ferocity in his eyes. But most disturbing is the flash of steel in his hand. Just two feet away from the safety of the ballroom, he grabs my hair and pulls me back with such force, spilling the jewels Ayrene has braided in my locks.
“Now you die, human whore,” he whispers and swings the blade right when I’m frantically scrambling the last flickers of magic inside me.
Elders! I frantically seek my magic, but it’s depleted, and squeeze my eyes, expecting the blade to sink between my ribs.
So this is how I die.
A second passes, then another.
Nothing happens.
“Cousin, this is unwise. Release her at once.” I crack an eye open to see the red-haired noble. Both are locked in struggle, presenting me with the perfect opportunity to escape. I slip into the banquet hall unnoticed. It’s much louder now; everyone seems to be dancing and laughing.
“Take me to my chambers,” I request from the silent, black-armored guard, and he leads me down the corridor, the noise of the party dying out behind our backs.
We navigate the usual maze of arches, abandoned halls, spiraling stairwells, and decadence. As we reach the doors of my room, a tall shadow peels from the wall.
“Leave us,” Aeidas orders, and the silent Fae salutes with a fist to his heart, then disappears.
“You left so soon, Talysse.” His voice is low as his eyes seek to capture mine.
“I’m surprised you noticed that; you seemed to be in good company—” I nearly bite my tongue, but too late, the snarky remark has already slipped.
He crosses his arms and responds with a low, indifferent tone, “I have my royal duties, even to those who have not much left to live.”
“Do you mean me?”
“Does it matter who I mean?” His voice is still cold, but his eyes have a soft glow when he’s studying me.
His riddles are tiring me, and I try to push past him, but a hard grip around my arm makes me stop in my tracks. He spins me around, so now I have no choice but to look up, irritated, and meet his gaze. And nearly stumble, taken aback by the rage burning in it.
“Talysse—” his knuckles travel along my jaw and he gently turns my face up, “who did this to you?” he rasps.
“Nobody important,” I chirp with exaggerated carelessness, “he’s taken care of.”
A deep, bestial growl escapes his heaving chest.
“I will ask again, Talysse—who hurt you?”
Is it the fierce protectiveness in his voice or the way his callused fingers tenderly brush the skin of my neck, but my knees are about to buckle? There is that tone—that promise that heads will roll, and he’d watch it with a smile.
“Does it matter, Aeidas? I don’t have much left, as you said,” I repeat with irony and try to escape his careful yet steely hold.
“Was it Galeoth?” His fingers are at my chin now, forcing me to look at him. And by the demons of Atos’s Underworld, he’s a sight to behold when he’s furious. His eyes are deep verdant now, his pupils wide, his massive arms vibrating with barely leashed power. His jaw is set, and the right corner of his lip curled up in a snarl, displaying the sharp edge of a fang. “Did Galeoth hurt you, Talysse?”
“Gale wouldn’t hurt me,” I snap back. Not now.
Realization straightens the furrow between his perfectly shaped dark brows.
“It was that drunkard Haeddyn and his cousin, right? I saw you spilling wine on him—” His finger travels up, pausing for a moment on my lower lip, and he cocks his head. “You taught the arrogant bastard a good lesson,” he murmurs. His gaze softens and lingers on my lips. “Goodnight, Talysse. I have…business to take care of.” Darkness drips from his last words as he melts into the shadows of the passageway.
I stand there for a moment, panting, my fingertips resting on my lips, then open the door to my chambers.
