The dark taunting nature of the heir changes to one of black annoyance. His gaze narrows at the Woodland Fae, his one hand above my head slamming into the palace wall in irritation.
I don’t flinch, unafraid of the heir and his tantrums. He could be threatening to slay me right here and I still wouldn’t fear him.
“Of course, you would come.”
“You left with quite a display.” He stops, looking to me, brow furrowed. “Are you alright, my lady? Do you need assistance?”
It’s a charming offer, one born from court mannerisms. I wish the heir had the same but clearly, he missed that lesson. Stubbornly, I shove the heir, though he doesn’t budge. I try to ignore how wet I’ve become and only grow angrier at myself. “I’m fine.”
“Can we help you, Fenrir?” Kaden pushes off the wall, his hands sliding into his pants. His dark smirk promises murder at the interruption. He’s still coiled from our argument, body primed and I’m no better, flesh heated. “I’m having a word with my mate.”
“Seems to not be one of kindness.” Fenrir stands taller, blond hair swinging along his back. “Though that shouldn’t surprise me. After the way you treated Sose?—”
“Watch your next words, Fenrir,” he growls, smirk in place, but shadows grow along the walls. One whips out, grabbing Fenrir’s neck, pulling him upright, toes grazing stone. “I’d hate to break Queen Aoife’s heir into tiny pieces, but I will if you cross me.”
“Still vicious, I see,” he wheezes. He doesn’t bother to fight the transparent shadows. He’s used to this, and I take a step as if to help him. Although, why I’m not sure.
Kaden’s arm blocks me from going to him. It’s a clear threat not to intercede. To choose Kaden.
“Remember that next time you want tocheckon my mate.”
The warning is clear and I huff, crossing my arms. Kaden’s possessiveness has grown to new levels with this Fae’s appearance. I want to hate it—I’m not a trophy to be displayed and hoarded—but my stomach flips, enjoying his need to have me to himself.
For the love of all the Gods… this bond is worrisome.
The heir drops him and the Woodland Fae falls to his knees with a solid slap. Kaden smiles leaning forward, black strands falling into his eyes. “You look good like that, Fenrir, kneeling before me. Maybe make it permanent?”
“Still a bastard too.” He inhales, voice garbled. “How did you ever get a woman to love you?”
“I don’t,” I deny. As the words leave my lips, my chest constricts with the lie.
Kaden snarls, keeping the smirk firmly in place but shoves Fenrir with his boot to the floor. “Ignore her. She knows exactly how I got her: charm, looks, and a very good tongue.”
My cheeks heat even as my fingers trace the dagger on my hip. The bastard is enjoying this too much, putting the Woodland Fae down while making me uncomfortable. He’s always been a prick, but this is much more than that.
Andwhois Sose? I’ve heard her name enough to know she’s important.
More footsteps pull my attention to the hall, Mal comingup at his back. Although he doesn’t look pleased to see his brother on the ground, he doesn’t make a move to help him stand either.
That’s curious.
There’s a harsh similarity between them—both with pale hair, bright green eyes, and bronze skin, but whereas Fenrir is tall, willowy in build, his brother is broad shouldered and solid. Obviously, he’s spent years battling instead of inside the palace walls.
“We all good here, boys?” he asks, voice deeper than Fenrir. That voice commands troops in the middle of chaos. Kaden steps away, roughly grabbing my waist as if to own me. Cursing him, I elbow his side to release me, but he just holds tighter.
“Of course. Just reminding your brother of his place withinmycastle.” It’s pointed directly at the Fae, who gingerly gets to his feet. There’s a pink ring around his throat from Kaden’s shadows.
Mentally, I wince. That looks painful.
“I’m surprised you even care.” He coughs. “Don’t you have a Human king to battle? After all,youlet himgo.”
The heir takes a menacing step forward, fangs growing long. “You know not of what you speak about.”
“I know you allowed our enemy to live. When it wasyourjob to protect us.” His green eyes flash and instinctively, I step closer to the heir, his nails pressing into my hip. “Isn’t that how your father portrayed you? Our weapon, our first line of defense against all those who would hurt us? Isn’t that the only reason you’re not in the Eternal Night Forest, a mindless beast? Especially after what youdidto Sose?”
Head tilting, I watch the exchange. There’s something about the Woodland Fae, something I can’t quite place. He seems charming, kind at first glance, but inside of him is a darkness that doesn’t bode well for anyone. At least with Kaden, I know where I stand.
The room falls silent, Kaden’s jaw muscle bouncing. The shadows grow thicker, colder around us and his nails sharpen to points, slicing my skin. Whatever Fenrir is speaking about is a sore subject for the heir, and he’s barely holding on to his beast.
