Eislyn’s heart thumped. She backed up against the bookshelf and pressed herself against the leather spines. “Stay away from me.”
He tipped back his head and laughed. “You think you have any choice in the matter, do you? It’s just as you said. You’re our prisoner, little fae. I can do with you what I want.”
Tears filled her eyes as terror sparked in her veins. She cast her gaze around, desperate to find a way to escape. The Fomorian snatched her wrist in his hand and pinned it against the bookcase. His eyes flashed with a dangerous glee that made Eislyn’s stomach turn. She shut her own eyes against the sight of them, her breath and body as still as stone.
The door slammed open.
Oh god, there was another one.
“Dearg,” the Emperor barked. Eislyn shuddered, coming undone. He was the last one of them she’d hoped would find her like this, helpless and pinned against a shelf of books, in a place she should have felt safe. “Get the hell away from her.”
“What? Why?” She heard the frown in his voice, even if she could not see it on his face. She couldn’t bring herself to open her eyes.
“She’s mine. Not yours,” the Emperor growled.
“You haven’t taken her,” he argued. “Everyone knows about it.”
“Dearg, I swear to you that if you do not let her go and step away from her right now, I will rip your limbs from your body.” Emperor Lir’s voice was low and dangerous. Eislyn opened her eyes just a slit to stare at him. He practically trembled with barely-controlled rage. That was…unexpected.
Dearg released the grip on her wrist. She sagged in relief, despite the tension still throttling her heart. “Forgive me. I didn’t think it mattered.”
“She is my wife,” the Emperor bit back.
Dearg chuckled. “In name only. The only reason you married her is because—”
“That’s enough, Dearg. You’re dismissed.”
With a heavy sigh, Dearg pushed away from Eislyn and stalked out of the library. At long last, she finally relaxed. Sagging against the bookshelf, she slid to the floor and wrapped her trembling arms around her legs. That had been far too close. Terrifyingly close.
“Why are you in the library? You should be in your quarters.”
“I like books.”
“And so you risked your life for them?”
She flicked up her eyes. He stood quietly beside the door, frowning across the room at her. “I wasn’t aware that’s what I was doing.”
He scowled. “You’re a fae. You aren’t safe wandering around all by yourself.”
“Aren’t you the Emperor of this place?” she asked with a tired sigh. “I’m your wife. Shouldn’t that count for something?”
Those words still sounded so strange coming from her mouth. A wife. And not just any wife, but the wife of this horrible creature who wanted nothing more than to make her life a living hell.
“It might count for something if you weren’t fae.” With a sigh, he strode across the floor and held out a hand. “You need to be more careful here. This might be your home, but not every face you meet will be a friendly one.”
“So I’ve realized,” she said dryly.
She stared at his hand. Instead of taking it, she hauled herself up from the floor. Her legs were shaky, but she stood tall. It would take more than an asshole Fomorian to knock her down for good.
“I’ll walk you back to your quarters,” he said quietly.
“Not necessary. I know the way.”
“You’re not walking through the palace by yourself.”
“Except I am.” She lifted her chin and met his fierce gaze.
“Eislyn.” He growled and took her elbow in his firm hand. She tried to rip out of his grip, but he was far too strong. “I’m walking you back to your quarters, and it isn’t up for discussion. If you want some books, tell Druid Evin which titles you’d like. A lot of our books are in Fomorian, but we have plenty in the Tir Na Nog tongue. He’ll bring you everything you need.”
