“He’s very possessive. Even of those things that wish to not be his,” Max quips, eyes brightened from wine. “He takes what he likes.”
“Careful, kitten.” I tsk, the hand on her knee gripping her tight. “I have it on good authority, that my things like to belong to me. In fact, they practically scream my name with delight.”
She looks ethereal, face bright with a teasing smile and I sink intothe love growing in my chest. I may still want to wring her neck, but I also want to kiss away all her fears.
There’s a twitch of her lips and I steel myself for her retort. “They must be faking it.”
Fenrir barks out a surprised laugh and I chuckle, delighted. She’s full of spite and fire tonight, and I lap it up, dying for more.
This is the woman who I saw under that scared kitten in the forest—a hellcat, ready to own her power. It’s amazing to see how she thrives when she’s supported and safe, not feared like in that backwards Coven.
“Gods, Max,” I comment, vulnerability coloring my words as I lean close, mouth to her ear. “Belknows, I would’ve waited decades for you, but I’m glad I didn’t have to. You are more than I ever thought I’d have in this life.”
Her eyes flutter as the bond burns softly between us. No longer a searing pain, but a warmth like one would want after a long day in the snow. “Do you regret stealing me away? Claiming me?”
Licking my lips, I smile. “Not at all. If I knew this would be the outcome, I would have claimed you the first minute I saw you in the throne room. Would have forsaken the raid, taken you and never looked back.”
She opens her mouth to speak, only to be cut off by the squealing of a heavy chair moving over the tiles.
We turn to watch my father stand, depositing the barely clothed female from his lap with nary a glance. “My brothers in arms, listen to me well.”
I catch Fee’s eyes. Our father has always loved the dramatics. But what is he planning now?
She glances to Max, eyes tracking her weaponry on her hips, her leg in my hand. She wrinkles her nose, but I don’t miss the soft flash of affection in her eyes.
My sister likes to appear cold and heartless, but Max has wormed her way into her heart as much as mine. They’ve become fast friends.
Everyone stops in what they’re doing to look at my father. Hestands tall, an emperor among his people, a picture of strength. He wears long black robes, his silver crown as polished as his boots. Nothing is out of place.
“News has come to us, of our enemies, the Humans, in the south.”
Murmurs fill the hall as glasses drop. My father has their undivided attention now.
“They prepare for war,” he declares, eyes sweeping the room. “Griffin, the man who would take my heir’s mate, knows his time is limited, so he mobilizes.”
I glare across the table to Fenrir as he watches my father with furrowed brows.
“Did more intelligence come in?” I whisper. Not as if anyone can hear over the shouts of alarm.
Fenrir shakes his head. “We were waiting for your spies intel.” Spies my uncle and I just dispatched after our meeting in Zelos office. They wouldn’t have returned yet.
Fiery Bel’s Balls, something is going on. He’s must be making a big play, gaining the last needed Lords to push his cause by using fear to motivate them.
And judging by their wary faces, it’s working.
Godsdammit.
I shoot Fenrir a dark look. “Find Mal.” His brother is better informed with these types of situations. Another reason Aoife should have entrusted her kingdom to him.
Fenrir looks to argue, maybe realizes it’d be futile, before leaving his seat to search. Either way, I need to know what is really happening and not what my father wants us to think is happening. He has a bad habit of hiding the truth.
A few Fae call out to my father. They wish to know what’s going to happen, how do they prepare. My father holds up his hands, comforting the masses.
It’s such shit.
“Fear not. We have a weapon that will level the battlefield.”
My blood runs cold, but my mask doesn’t break. Max’s good mood and love vanishes under a cloud of worry. Her blue eyes turn guarded, body tense. Both of us don’t know what weapon he speaks of, but it doesn’t bode well for either of us.
