“The Courts of Nightmare benefit from our instability,” he says carefully. “They need not lift a blade. They only need to let us exhaust ourselves.”
The Aldarelf bows once more and retreats toward the manor, leaving us alone in the field with Coral.
Rhianelle looks at me with those lilac eyes. “The elven council are recommending a full military response. They want me to authorize a campaign to take back what we’ve lost.”
“I will handle the rebels,” I say firmly. “I’ll join your war commander and ensure victory for your kingdom.”
“We’ve discussed this and my answer is no.” She shakes her head. “I won’t send you to war. I can’t lose you.”
I step closer to her. “You won’t.”
She grips my hand. “I still hope for peace. There must be a path that doesn’t require more bloodshed.”
“That’s a beautiful dream, little fawn. But it won’t stop the arrows from coming.” The words are harsh, but necessary.
“If we can cut the supply of Asterdust—”
I cup her face, forcing her to meet my eyes. “The rebels won’t stop because you hope for peace. They’ll stop when they’re dead.”
“Svenn.” The argument drains out of her voice. What’s left is quieter and harder to bear. “Please. Don’t go.”
She rises on her toes. I meet her halfway and her soft lips land against mine. The kiss starts soft, promise and plea combined. Her hands slide into my hair and she deepens it. I understand exactly what she’s doing. This is the moment she decides to stop arguing with words. Little fawn is using every advantage she has.
I can’t even be angry about it.
Her tongue lashes mine and it’s like lightning rolls from the tip of my tongue to the tip of my cock. Then something shifts. The warmth of her pulls something awake beneath my skin. My teeth lengthen before I can stop them. The hunger rises, slow and dark, the monster recognizing what it wants. I need to pull back before it gets any further.
Stop. I tell myself. Stop, stop, stop—
But it’s already too late. My hands tighten on her waist with more force. The bond inside me snarls.Take her, now.
Rhianelle gasps against my mouth. I taste her fear. It should stop me. Instead, it makes everything worse.
Shadow chains erupt from the ground.
They wrap around my wrists, my ankles, my throat. The Rhunhraefn curse holds me completely immobile. Darkness binding darkness. They yank me to my knees.
My breath hitches. The chains know me. They constrict exactly where it hurts the most.
“Oh gods, Svenn, I’m sorry!” Rhianelle drops beside me, her hands fluttering helplessly. “I didn’t mean—”
“It’s alright,” I manage, though the chains are tight.
She’s already working to dispel them, her fingers glowing with that soft light. “What have I done?”
“You did nothing wrong.” I fight against the urge to struggle. “This is exactly what you should do if I lose control.”
“But I hurt you—”
“You protected yourself.” I meet her stricken gaze steadily. “Do not apologize for using power that keeps you safe.”
The shadow chains dissolve at her command. I remain kneeling for a moment longer, using the time to wrestle my nature back under control. My grip loosens and the predatory intensity fades.
The Rhunhraefn is the most powerful curse in existence and Rhianelle has withstood its influence longer than most curse bearers. Her control of it slipped, just for a moment. If she loses her hold on it the way the others lost theirs, I’ve accepted that. When the day comes, I won’t fight it.
Coral whines from across the field, sensing the danger. She presses closer to Rhianelle protectively.
“Svenn?” Rhianelle’s voice is small.
