It had riled the entire court in turmoil.
The mountain had hidden Alora away in a deep secret wing of the castle with no doors. The Harbingers would quell the hunger radiating through the lower levels, stopping any demon who couldn’t resist hunting for the sweet human they could smell.
Alora had no idea how much her presence affected everyone.
Especially him.
Rune’s claws pierced the armrests of his chair, splitting the wood. The primal instinct to lay claim over what was his,demanded that he eviscerate every demon that salivated for her, but he silently watched over his bride as his mind stormed.
The first day was over.
“So, this is what you do in your spare time, spy on girls?” Sunnëva stood over his shoulder. She appeared, as if stepping between the seams of this world and the next, casting an irritating white light in his chambers. “How immoral of you.”
Rune gritted his teeth, having no patience for her tonight. Either she came here to mock him, or to keep watch over what she called fate.
He hardly glanced Sunnëva’s way as she sat in the seat across from him and crossed a leg over the other. Her pale hair was braided in golden coils, her robes aglow with the faint sheen of divine power.
“I must say, it has been quite entertaining watching you try to win her over.” Sunnëva laughed lightly. “She truly despises you.”
His claws tapped against the armrest in an erratic rhythm, shadows weaving restlessly through his fingers. “And yet I cannot cease to question what is the purpose of this?” Because he had yet to understand why his father had given him a second chance. “Elyon does nothing without purpose. So tell me, why … why did he give her back to me?”
“Did he?”Sunnëva’s smile widened.“Alora lives now by whatever fabric fate has woven but was she ever your bride?”
Rune stilled at the meaning of her words and the knowing in her blue eyes.
He leaned back in his seat with a sneer, linking his fingers together. “Don’t forget, I am the weaver of deceptions and schemes. Don’t attempt to distract me, sweetling, for I can smell lies, and you reek of them. Answer the question.”
Because Rune knew damn well he didn’t deserve this leniency. Not after all the blood he spilled, and the destruction he caused.
Whatever reason behind it made his veins scorch with dread.
The white gems of Sunnëva’s gown glittered with frost as she shrugged. “If I give you all the answers, you will only get her killed. Again.”
His frustration snapped and his shadows writhed violently around Sunnëva’s chair, raking wind through the chamber. The rage inside of him threatened to tear down the mountain. But she looked at him steadily. Patient. Because they both knew he would never hurt her.
Nor could he.
Rune took a sharp breath, and the shadows calmed, fading away. He softly cursed under his breath, kneading his temples.
Sunnëva chuckled quietly. “Oh, Rune. I’ve never seen this side of you before.”
Dragon scales sprouted on his pale skin, his markings pulsing red on his neck and chest. He didn’t need to look at his reflection to know the whites of his eyes had gone completely black, the irises glowing as bright crimson as the Blood Moon. And on the wall his silhouette stretched, outlining the curve of horns and large wings he kept hidden.
His true form pushed against the surface of his being, clawing at him, straining to break free.
“You’re like a beast pacing in a cage,” Sunnëva murmured, her tone a mixture of awe and unease as she stared at him. “Barely restraining yourself. You can’t decide whether to tear through your court or ravage yourlittle bird. So possessive—andafraid. You fear how the future will unfold now that it’s so uncertain, now that you at last hold what you had so desperately desired. But you didn’t bring her to the mountain last time, did you?”
Rune’s gaze returned to the Veil’s Eye. Alora had fallen asleep with the creature curled beside her. Her face was soft inthe firelight, but her brow was furrowed with the subconscious tension in her body and mind. She wasn’t at peace here.
He exhaled slowly, putting his glamor back in place. “I never wanted to introduce her to my wicked world.”
When he had stolen Alora away the first time, he’d returned her to the Midlands where he pretended to be fae … until he couldn’t pretend anymore.
He shut his eyes, his memories flashing with the moment Alora saw his true form, and the terror in her eyes. Yet here she was, in some other time.
Sunnëva’s gaze fixed on his bride with a small smile. “And now you worry how this sweet innocent girl will do in your court of nightmares. Well, she may surprise you, Rune. And I know how much you lovesurprises.” She rose to her feet, her blue eyes glowing with something ancient. “Take it from me. Alora won’t trust you until you stop hiding the truth.”
That was pointless. The truth was what had gotten her killed.
