Page 88 of A Courage of the Chosen

Thick ropes of my release shoot into the water soon after, my body trembling with each pulse.

“Callahan.”

One word. Three syllables.

It’s ice thrown over the raging inferno that is my need for her. A brutal reminder that she’s not coming for me. She’s not moaning in my bed. Not mine to tease and claim.

For now.

It’s his name she shouts at the top of her climax. His undeserving eyes that get to witness her vulnerable and open and so fucking perfect.

As quickly as the desire came, fury follows it.

I release an empty laugh, running a hand over my face while absently noting the fact it sounded too much like Father’s.

“Well played, my queen. But that’s going to cost you.”

I let the threat hang there, and then withdraw from her completely for the first time since the battle.

While I’m grateful to have had a tiny snippet of her, I’m enraged that it wasn’t me worshipping at the altar between Elsie’s thighs.

Yeah. I’m done waiting.

◆◆◆

I fucked my hand one more time in the pool, more to take the edge off my anger than anything else. I’m too wound up after what happened. The one word she spoke lit a fire that’s not going out until she’s by my side and begging for me to touch her the way I used to.

The Seelie who’s become my second-in-command is waiting at the door of my rooms when I return. I don’t know their name. Don’t care to. They do as they’re told and that’s all I give a shit about.

They bow as I approach them, the dark ring around their light brown irises pulsing. The Craobh reacts in their presence, static energy starting to unfurl from where it hangs against my skin beneath my shirt. I allow some of my darkness to rise, overpowering its response until it settles back against me.

It stirs around them almost constantly as it’s surrounded by Dorche, and I maintain a permanent vigil over it. I have to show it what the magic is before it starts shooting bolts of whatever fucking power it has at my guards.

“Your Majesty,” he says in a flat voice devoid of anything.

They’ve subconsciously switched to calling me that when Father isn’t around. Perhaps they’re responding to my will, and my plans.

“It’s time.”

“Are you sure? We have at least half of the units to go.”

This particular Seelie isn’t too far gone to their power, and they’ve retained some of their logic. Probably why they’ve ended up in the position of my second.

“Yes. We don’t show our hand fully. But we can make a statement. One that won’t make him suspicious of us, but sends the message I want to convey. Three units. I will travel with them. We move at dawn.”

“What of the king? He won’t let you leave.”

“He won’t know until it’s too late. And he’ll be pleased when we return.”

The Seelie bows again and hurries off to prepare.

The board is set.

The players are in position.

It’s time to make the first move.

Chapter 25