“You saved my life,” he said instead. It belonged to her now, if she wanted it. Then he’d have some purpose. “Shall I call you master or mistress?”
Lucenna scowled, her lilac eyes flashing. “I will not take you as my slave, Zev.”
Shame fell over him, and it had nothing to do with the state of his appearance. He knew better than to suggest that to her, not after what the women endured in Magos.
“Then don’t interfere in my business.” He used whatever might he could muster to stand, and his legs wobbled. Lucenna took his arm, steadying him. “What happened to Richël?”
“Who?”
“The nightwalker.”
Lucenna rolled her eyes. “She’s gone.”
Zev froze as the blood left in him ran cold. “You killed her?”
“She attacked, so did I.”
Guilt sank in his stomach like a pile of stones as the Madness snickered.Poor beastie. You led the little fae to her death, and you’ve doomed the sorceress, too. Everyone around you continues to perish, and you’re left to watch.
Pushing Lucenna behind him, Zev searched the trees as his heart raced. They had to leave. Now.
“What is it?”
“We’re guests here,” he growled. “Invited to a wedding where you have killed a member of the court.”
Lucenna inhaled sharply and her heartbeat quickened. Zev backed towards the revel, keeping her shielded. A branch snapped, and the wind changed with the approach of fresh scents. It seemed he might get his desire after all.
Chapter 28
Lucenna
Something eerie and violent clung to the night air, thrumming in Lucenna’s veins. Zev’s reflective eyes gleamed in the dark as he studied the trees, a forceful reminder of what he truly was. His wolf rose beneath the surface at whatever threat he must have sensed in the wood. She filled her hands with magic, and he crouched in front of her protectively, releasing a snarl so vicious it promised death to whoever came forth.
There was movement in the shadows of the trees. The king’s guard marched forth, their armor catching in the moonlight. They withdrew their swords as one. Ten against two, Lucenna liked those odds—until a cluster of arrows burst from the tree canopies and pierced the ground at their feet.
Damn.
She eyed the branches, but the archers were cloaked in the darkness.
A goblin guard with a long, beak-like nose stepped forward. “You have violated the peace in the Moors. You must come with us.”
“And if we don’t?” the question rumbled in Zev’s chest.
Even Lucenna knew that was a bad idea. She extinguished her attack spell. “It’s all right. We will explain to King Dagden what has occurred here.”
They followed the guards through the woods and into the borough. The music stopped playing, and the court watched them pass, whispering and tittering among themselves. A procession of fae followed as the guards brought them before the dais once more. King Dagden lounged in his throne, one leg crossed over the other, as he balanced his crown of antlers on his foot. Queen Calixta sat beside him. Courtiers huddled around her throne, Princess Keena fluttering among them.
Rawn and Dyna were already there, looking as nervous as Lucenna felt. Zev stood close by Dyna’s side.
King Dagden took a drink from his goblet. “Well, well, it appears I have invited murderers into my court.”
Lucenna opened her mouth to answer, but Rawn slightly shook his head.
“Who was killed?” asked the queen nonchalantly as she played with a lock of ocean-blue hair. They didn’t truly seem to care, so why the fuss?
“A nightwalker, Your Majesty,” answered the goblin guard. “Demolished by her sorcery.”
“Our sister. She killed Richël!”
