And that fucking wrecks me.
I clench my jaw.
“If I told you that I was going blind, dying, and was controlled by Maximinus, would you reject me?” My throat is dry. “Would you still want me in your pack? I’ve been desperate to tell you but…I can’t risk not spending my final weeks with you. I need to…just in case I don’t… Do you have any idea that every day I am with you is more precious than a lifetime without you? I’m trying to work out a scheme that will get us out of this. I’ve always had one, right from the bloody start, for my own kingdom. My time is running out, however, and if you knew what was happening to me, then you’d probably do something impulsive like trying to save me. And sometimes, pawns need to be sacrificed to save the kings and queens.”
My eyes burn.
Freya snorts a snore, snuffling into the bedding.
Despite myself, I laugh.
I brush a strand of Freya’s hair behind her ear. “And you swear that you don’t snore, love. Sin was bloody glorious yesterday, aye? Terrifying and dark like Hadrian.” I give a sharp grin. “I have to respect his monstrous side. I wish that he could see how powerful I am too. Then he’d know that I also have fangs. It’s exhausting putting on this simpering act all the time. Sometimes, an Unseelie also needs to bite…”
Suddenly, I realize that Freya is blinking sleepily up at me.
“Bite?” She yawns.
“Thanks for the invitation. Maybe later.”
Freya’s yawn widens, and she stretches.
“Morning.” She leans up to kiss me. I savor it, luxuriating in the lazy dance of our tongues. Finally, she pulls back with a teasing nip on my lower lip, as if to say that she can bite as well. I know that, and it’s something I love about my Omega. “Evening? Or is it…? What time is it? This nighttime court is confusing me. Everything is confusing here.”
I settle on my side next to her, curling a lock of her hair between my fingers.
I hum my agreement. “You can tell by the light harp, lutes, and trumpet music, which is still winding from the main rooms of the Blue Lotus Palace, that it’s still night. They do like their wild parties. Fae are all about loving each other in every way, but even I learned some new tricks when I watched them earlier. And that had nothing to do with spying; these parties are public with free-flowing mead, wine, and blood. They’respiritualfor them like worship. The priestesses of the Scarlet Temple were leading them.”
Freya struggles out of the sheets, narrowing her eyes. “You went out earlier? By yourself?”
“A courtesan needs to stay up to date with their skills.” I don’t admit that I couldn’t sleep.
Plus, after Lanlin’s possessive display that showed anyone who touched his mates would end up torn apart by demonic lions, I thought that it was safe enough.
I was right.
The Bloods shied away, as if risking brushing against me — leaving their scent on me — would mean that they would also be savaged.
Is that what it means to be marked as the Blood Lover of Lanlin Sin?
I glance at the demonic lions’ empty bed.
Shadow and Devil are as missing from the chamber as Lanlin is.
“The point is, love,” I tap my ear, “you survive by learning the routines, traditions, and rhythms of a place. Here the music subtly changes at dawn. The drums and clappers stop.”
“Why?”
“Because the dancing does. Time for all good little fangs to go to bed.”
“So, no one in this court then.”
“Aye, we’re in a court of monsters. Ours has been out all night…probably with his kittens…and isn’t back yet.”
“Don’t call him that.” Freya sits up, sharply dragging me up as well.
“What?” I blink.
“Monster.” Freya’s expression is so serious that it catches me by surprise.
