Light flashed on her skin in challenge. She didn’t fear him. No, she did, but she wasn’t bowing down anymore, toanyone. That fierceness was stunning. He didn’t know whether to kneel or to challenge her back.
The air quivered, thick with smoke, before Deimos coalesced from it. “Sire, the mortal has woken.”
“Yes, I gathered as much,” Rune said, still holding her gaze.
“He claims to have information about the curse taking over Argyle, and Alora’s mother.”
She inhaled a shaky breath. “My mother?”
Her expression lit up with hope and happiness hummed through the bond at the mention of Caelum.
“Escort him to the war chamber,” Rune said tightly, “Gather the others, so we may discuss this dire information.”
“There is no need,” Alora cut in coolly. “I will take him there myself. He won’t trust anyone but me.”
Deimos paused at the new command. He glanced at him and Rune conceded with a frown. Deimos bowed his head and vanished in a cloud of smoke.
Rune rolled his neck as pain throbbed at his shoulder blades and temples. It took a second to calm himself with a subtle breath. He couldn’t afford to let her see how close he was to losing hold on his glamor.
Alora rubbed her face. “Seven above, I ran out to find you before hearing what Caelum came to say. He must be so frightened in this place. I need to make sure he is fully healed before I send him back home.”
“Home,”Rune repeated.
The word settled like bitter wine in his mouth.
She said it so simply. So casually. The mountain was never her home. Argyle was. And Caelum hada place in it.
Again, that weight in his chest returned. Ridiculous. It was beneath him to feel vexed by a mortal. One who wielded ancient magic so effortlessly. He scoffed under his breath, realizing what he had missed before.
“I find it unbecoming how concerned you are with this knight,wife.” Rune tapped a claw on the table. “I cannot help but suspect more lingers between you two.”
The markings on Alora’s hands glowed brighter as she smiled. “If you had not stolen me away, perhaps I would have been his wife instead of yours.”
Her words branded him like searing iron.
“Well,” Rune returned her sharp smile. “Fortune can’t bless us all.”
She studied him with a hard stare.
“There is one thing you haven’t told me yet.” Her mouth thinned. “I want to knowwhyyou choseme.Don’t tell me it wasfor my song, or because you were lonely. You could have had any bride, but you stole me away to this wretched pit.Why?”
Rune paused, so many confessions teetering on the tip of his tongue, yet he found himself weaving lies with truth. His favorite talent.
“Because my deadly little flower…” He leaned down, trailing his nose over her throat. “You smell absolutely divine. You are so mouthwatering, I am on the precipice of tearing into you.”
Alora jerked back, roiling with anger and revulsion. He chuckled and went to the sideboard to pour himself more wine.
“Oh, as for the matter of our unexpected guest.” Rune faced her. “I think it’s best he stay for now.”
Her eyes widened, outraged. “You agreed he could return to Argyle!”
The mountain shook with her anger, making the table rattle. The shadows drew closernotto him, but toher.
“A decision I have recanted.” Rune took a seat at his table again, eyeing the dark tendrils coiling around her waist. “I cannot have him drawing more trespassers here. And should he succumb to an early demise…” He smirked, taking a drink. “Well, then the concern will be settled.”
Alora’s blue gown shimmered with tendrils of light magic, shadows curling behind her like a veil. Her eyes were fierce, her scent laced with indignation.
She was exquisite when furious.
