“Fallon said no,” Connor replies. “Come. I will fly out.”
“I wasn’t aware Dante’s queen held so much clout amongst Crows?”
“I amnotDante’s queen,” I bite out.
“I beg to differ. After all, Iwaspresent at the nuptials.”
The Crows in attendance shift their gazes toward me, as though Antoni has instilled doubt in their minds as to whether I can be trusted.
“By all means”—I fling my arm in a wide arc—“since youwerethere, regale everyone with the story of how I was forced to bind my blood with a fucking lunatic to keep you from losing your tongue and Gods only know what other limbs Dante would’ve hacked off.” The anger makes my words blister the tension-filled air. “Or better yet, tell them how I unchained you from a wall and painted gills on your throat so you wouldn’t fucking drown after they left you behind.”
Antoni’s eyes twitch.
“Even though you want to put an end to my mate’s reign, I saved you. So don’t come in here and accuse me of cavorting with the enemy, because I. Fucking. Despise. Dante Regio.”
Shadows slink around my shoulders, my neck. They tip my head up and sweep across my trembling jaw.Take a breath, my love.
I told you to stay away,I grumble.
And miss out on my mate’s formidable outburst?
I give him a pointed look, which only makes his smoke curl around my body and gather me close.
What has that man done to you, Behach Éan?Lore’s eyes rake over my rigid features.
Nothing. He’s done nothing to me. I just want him gone.
You saved him yesterday.
I roll my lips.
Whatdid that male do to you?
I close my eyes because if I tell Lore what Antoni did to me . . . or rather said to me, it’s only his carcass that will be carried out of the Sky Kingdom.
Tell me.
A tear rolls down my cheek. I sweep my lashes low to clear my eyesight. Though Antoni tried to look out for me, though he lost his nails because of me, I cannot condone what he confessed, because in the end, I will always choose my mate.He wants you dead, Lore.
Fifty-Four
The second the confession flocks from my mind, I close my eyes to lock out whatever retribution Lore has in store for Antoni.
Open your eyes, mo khrà.
I prefer to keep them closed.More tears sneak down my cheeks.
Do you believe Greco capable of change?
I will not risk your life, Lore.
I repeat . . . do you believe Greco capable of change?
My lids reel up.Do you think I’ve gone deaf? Do you think Meriam made me trade both my hearing and sense of humor for magic?
A crooked smile quirks his ghostly mouth.Though I am curious as to the root of that thought, no, Fallon, I don’t find you lacking in any way.
My throat is so tight it hurts to swallow.I don’t know. All I know is that he wishes monarchies were abolished.
