“The past day has given me a lot to think about.”
“Yes; the chatter in your halls has givenmemuch to consider as well.”
I swallowed hard. “I should be going.”
“What has you in such a rush this morning? Another trip to the camps at the Edge?”
“No.”
“Then perhaps there’s something more pressing we need to discuss?”
“I’m afraid that’s between my advisors and me for the moment.”
“Such rudeness, keeping secrets from your guests.”
My gaze darted to the door, sizing up the tiny space not blocked by the lord’s large, powerful body. He had a very obvious size advantage over me, but maybe I could slip through if I caught him off guard and knocked him off balance.
“You know,” he said, “There was a time when the Rivenholt Court was considered among the most gracious and forthcoming of all the royal courts.”
“Much has changed these past centuries.”
“Indeed, it has.” He moved even closer to me.
I held my ground. “Get out of my way, Renvar.”
“Answer my question first. What are you plotting this morning?”
Cold energy swept between us, summoned by no more than my tense breath. Shadows bled across my skin like watercolor paint, little tendrils slowly rising up and arching back in a threatening manner.
Whether he’d been hoping for an excuse to fight, or he simply panicked, I don’t know—but Renvar reacted quickly, one hand pressing against the wall beside me, caging me in, while his other hand took hold of my jaw, squeezing tightly as he forced my gaze to his.
My shadows swirled chaotically.
But before I could truly retaliate, the fireplace flared brighter. The sconces along the walls ignited in a flash, and a violent surge of energy followed, so sudden and so intense it took my breath away.
Lord Renvar spun toward the doorway, wincing in the sudden brightness.
Seconds passed before the light settled enough to reveal Aleks standing there, glaring.
The lord’s mouth opened and closed several times before words came out. “Is that…”
“It is,” Aleks replied, sauntering inside.
Renvar’s head swiveled back to me. “So it’s true.Thisis the secret—another reckless, questionable choice you’ve made, inviting this beast to walk freely in your halls.”
“Get away from her,” Aleks warned, his voice low and deadly.
Renvar didn’t listen. His hand fell to the same place as before, crowding me back against the wall. Except, this time, his other hand moved toward my throat.
A mistake.
In the span of a heartbeat, Aleks had crossed the small room and taken hold of the back of his neck. With terrifying ease, he ripped him away from me and threw him into the nearest wall.
The lord immediately started cowering, scrambling to brace himself against that wall, but Aleks didn’t stop there. He took Renvar by the throat and jerked him upward, his hand a noose hanging him in place.
I was so stunned by the violent movement that it took me a moment to choke out a command. “Let him go, Aleks.”
His grip only tightened as violent light crackled around his body.
