I can’t deny how good it feels to smile—a real, small, but bright smile—at his joyful demeanor. Reid has always been kind to me, going so far as to sneak down to see me in the dungeon when Kaden was gone.
He wasn’t happy with his brother’s claiming of me, and told me as such as he sat outside my cell. He brought card games and told melarge tales from the other side, trying hard to lift my spirits. But his loyalty to the heir was still there, firmly in place, even as I begged to be released.
Kaden glowers like a dark shadow behind us, his magic swirling around our ankles.
“Reid,” he snaps, making me jump in response, arm slipping away. “Fix your clothing. The doors are to open.”
Reid rolls his eyes, winking at me. “For someone who hates this part, he’s certainly a stickler for etiquette.”
I raise an eyebrow. Odd that Kaden wouldn’t like this part of his birthright. He seems made for it.
Reid fiddles with his shirt, only giving up when Fee comes close, tucking his collar and adjusting his lapels. My throat constricts at their closeness and at the memory of Nafre doing the same for Taylay.
I’ve been here for weeks, away from them. Does Tay think of me? We didn’t end on the best of terms; does he think I’m avoiding him and the village out of spite? Does he know of the Crimson Army’s attack? Or did he think I left, never to return?
What of Nafre? Does she even miss me? She told me to stay hidden and I didn’t listen. Was this what she thought would happen—me being taken by the Dark Fae, used as a weapon?
If I had listened, would things have happened differently? Would I be free?
Kaden’s firm hand pulls me close, pushing the thoughts away as his hip and leg crush into mine. Revulsion and warmth battle in my gut and I don’t know which one I want to win more. I want to soak up his aura, let it soothe the ache in my heart, and I want to grab Fee’s dagger and cut his throat. Even if it kills us both.
“Whatever happens in there, stay beside me.”
Jerking back, my mouth drops open. “You have some nerve,” I begin, only to be cut off by his finger pressing into my lips.
“In there, you are nothing.” His eyes narrow, willing me tounderstand. “You’ve never been to the Dark Court. In there, power is the only thing that keeps you alive. I’m the only chance you have of surviving.” He looks me over, a fang poking over his bottom lip. “Although in this dress, it’ll be hard to keep hands off of you regardless of who owns you.”
Glaring, I try to pull away, fed up with his arrogance. “Go toSeti’sHell, heir.”
“Only with you,” he taunts, hand yanking my chin. “We are only welcoming officials before war talks begin. Zelos will not show his hand before he has complete control. That includes not telling anyone who you are in there. It’s a blessing and a curse.
“The only way to survive in this court, is by appearing to be more monstrous than them. Otherwise, they will take and use you, in full view of everyone else.” My body shudders as true fear runs up my spine, his words dipping dangerously low. A lover’s caress, but it chills me to the bone.
He brushes the hair from my neck, my scar visible.
“I am the most powerful person in that room. Without me, you are vulnerable.”
I shake my head. “With you, I’m a prisoner.”
He steps close, anger flashing through his bright eyes. “If you’re a prisoner, then so am I, kitten.” At that, my mouth parts in shock. “We are bound together, prisoners in this life. Now,listen. Do not leave my side. Do not hide your scar. Never let down your guard. It’ll be the only things that keeps youbreathing.”
Jerking away, my lips curl in disgust. “The only thing that would keep me alive, is your beating heart in my hands.”
Smirking, the heir shakes his head, fingers falling to his side. “If you wanted my heart, you only need to ask. I’d cut it out and hand it over to you without question.”
Before I can respond—think about what the heir said—the black doors pull wide. Behind them is a sea of courtiers, pale faces, dark hair, all dressed in various shades of ebony and grey.
They turn their heads to us in their eerie Fae fashion and I notice,I’m the only one in red, a drop of blood against a stark canvas. Beside me, the heir transforms, standing taller, shoulders wide, an aura of power erupting from him. He becomes the royal they follow.
But I don’t focus on him.I can’t.Not when I see the face of Zelos the Wretched staring back at me, the promise of death on the tip of his tongue as he smiles.
Chapter
Six
MAX
Holding my breath, I look into the open chamber of the throne room, the dome above us painted red from the haze outside. Flickering torches line the walls but it does little to battle back the darkness. Pale faces and glinting teeth all stare back at me, hungry and intrigued, as a delicacy is waved before them.
