I bite my lip, trying to put the pieces of a puzzle together.What is happening?
“That’s enough,” Fee interrupts, hustling down the hall, her skirt bunched into one hand, the other holding her remaining dagger.
Her voice leaves little room for disagreement, but it’s her eyes I notice. They’re wide, worried, glancing from her brother and me to the Woodland Fae, sizing up the eventual battle.
This isn’t good, whatever is this is. Kaden’s control has always been the best—one of the reasons I torment him is because it’s my only way of fighting back and can get under his skin without real fear of his beast reacting. But now, I see his control slipping.
Is this because of me? Or is there something else at work?
Gently, I wrap my hand around Kaden’s, holding him firmly to my waist. Like a trance has been broken he glances to me, brows lowered, then to our intertwined hands. Emotions, thoughts, flash in those bright orbs and I hold my breath as he slowly comes back to himself.
It’s an intimate touch and not one I would’ve initiated, but someone had to bring Kaden back. Much like he did for me in the final battle, helping me control my magic, this is my small way to save him—and everyone in this hall.
Otherwise, his beast would have eaten the Woodland Fae.
Fee exhales slowly when Kaden steps back, hands falling away. I mourn the loss.
“Are you alright?” Fenrir asks again, keeping his stare on my form as his hands lift to touch me. Stepping away, I ignore him and focus on the heir.
He’s haunted by whatever memories Fenrir brought up, still reeling from our clashing. I still detest his announcement, and his need to claim me in all ways, but there’s a spark of sympathy in my chest at his visceral pain.
He’s hurt. Wounded. And I want to soothe it away even as the hate in my gut bubbles up.
“She’s fine,” Fee cuts off, pushing between the men. She stands infront of us, scanning me before looking to her brother. She’s a visible shield to the chaos inside the heir and I admire her for it. “Right?”
“Right,” he agrees, licking his lips. “Take Max to the gardens. I have meetings to attend to.”
My mouth opens, ready to fight with him—again. Our first fight wasn’t finished and I’ll be damned to be silenced.
And stupidly, I want to make sure he’s alright.
He startles me, pulling me close, full lips pressing to my ear as if to say a loving goodbye.
The strained smirk lifts against my head and my body shudders. “Save it for later, kitten. Now is not the time to argue. Not in front of guests.”
He’s saying what I knew to be true—Fenrir cannot be trusted. Kaden might be reeling from whatever slip of control he had, battling unknown secrets, but he’s still thinking more clearly than I am.
The Dark Court is not a place to see us weak, and arguing in front of guests would do just that.
Doesn’t mean I won’t continue this fight later.
Standing on my toes, I lean my lips against his ear, a romantic gesture to anyone else. “We’re not done.”
“We never will be,” he promises. Stealing a chaste kiss on my cheek, he steadies me with two heated hands and turns on his heel in the opposite direction.
He doesn’t look back once.
Fee takes up my side like a guard. She glares over her shoulder at the two men, hand on my shoulder, pulling me down another dark corridor. How does anyone maneuver around this castle in such darkness?
“Follow me.” When we get a few steps away, she stops, fiery eyes narrowed on Fenrir. “Don’t provoke my brother again, Fenrir. Not unless you want mother dearest to get a box of your remains.”
Chapter
Twelve
MAX
Living in the Blackwoods Coven, I was used to the dark green forests encroaching on all sides, the clean night sky filled with twinkling stars overhead and the sounds of rushing waves in the distance, as the Coven backed up to a cliff overseeing the ocean. It was the only lullaby I was granted as a child, living in a village frightened of my power.
