AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ashadow flew over Nero’s war maps on his conservatory desk. He reached for his pistol and aimed at the conservatory’s glass dome ceiling. Narrowing his gaze, he tried to see through the condensation to the gray sky above. He waited, heart pounding as something fell behind him with a clang. Jolting, he pivoted and shifted his aim, but he saw nothing beyond the ferns and plants. The copper humidifier released bouts of steam—pip, pip, pip.
Embarrassed at his jumpiness, he shook his head. The ventilation gaps in the glass were too thin for any creature to drop through. He’d ensured his safety decades ago after an unwanted visitor stole something important.
Tick-tick-tick-tickingon the glass dome lifted his head as something white fell through the slot. It landed on his map and rolled. Nero cocked and aimed his pistol at the dome, but no one was there. Another full minute passed before he was satisfied he was alone and put the gun away.
He used a pin to test the white roll of paper. Nothing happened. So he unrolled it and read the message.
A battle to decide the fate of Elphyne will be on Samhain.
Nero frowned and glanced up again, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. Bones had set up a network of spies in Elphyne decades ago. It appeared some were still loyal. He turned the paper over and found the name of a city. A slow smile curved his lips. He pushed a green pin into the map—on the city calledCornucopia.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Storm’s voice warbled from far away as he spoke to Nova. Instead, all she could hear was Leaf’s declaration to his Prime:I will not now, nor ever, accept a mate—especially not Nova Morales.
It shouldn’t hurt so much. He’d made that clear from the start time and time again. But it was the tone he’d used, the vehemence and disgust. Then he’d treated her like she wasn’t there.
All she could think was there was no reason for her to stay. No reason to submit herself to that treatment. And then she’d caught Storm’s eye from across the room and knew what to do. She had to distance herself from the elf that looked like her lost lover. She had to forget about her guilt over leaving Jace behind. And she wasn’t talking about the end… She knew Niles said something to push Jace away. But she let him go.
Forcing air into her lungs, she focused on Storm’s lips.
“So it was a ruse?” he asked, brows lifting.
“Yes,” she confirmed, her lips stretching into what she hoped was a smile. “He saved my life, so I helped him in return. But that’s all over now. As you can see, he’s—” She gestured in Leaf’s direction, but he wasn’t at the table. Neither was the Prime. “He’s not even there.”
“Good,” Storm declared, his gray eyes turning dark. “Then I hope you’ll do me the honor of dancing with me.”
Nova stepped into his awaiting arms, felt the hardness of his body against hers, and couldn’t help wishing it was someone else. God, she was hopeless. No wonder Niles had been able to pull the wool over her eyes. He was bereft of emotion, and she had too much. Unable to meet Storm’s attentive gaze, she locked her vision firmly on his chest. A pretty flute melody gave them the rhythm. She tried to be graceful like the angelic warrior sweeping her around but stepped on his feet too many times.
“Perhaps we should sit until the performance,” Storm said, as he adjusted their steps. “The dancers have worked hard to re-enact Aleksandra’s life.”
“Aleksandra’s life?” She sounded robotic.
“I’ve heard it’s an evocative show.”
Nova detected a husky note in his tone. His eyes were full of dark lust and hope when she met his gaze. She should leave. Leading him on wasn’t fair if her heart wasn’t in it. But somehow, when his gaze darted to her lips and he lowered his mouth, she did nothing. Shefeltnothing.
Storm abruptly halted and frowned, his lips an inch from hers.
“Remove your hands from my mate.” Leaf’s deep and unnerving tone sent a shiver down her spine. Over Storm’s shoulder, she locked with a set of blue, thunderous eyes.
Leaf hadn’t left.
And… and… he’d just called her his mate. But how? She thought he couldn’t lie. Hadn’t he just declared that he wanted nothing to do with her?
What was wrong with him? As if she wasn’t confused enough as it was.
How dare he?
She stepped away from Storm to confront Leaf, but Storm’s grip tightened protectively. He tugged her closer to him. Panic quickened her pulse, and a sickening sense of déjà vu rocked through her. She smelled Grung’s sour breath and felt the bile rising in her throat.
“I won’t warn you again.” Leaf’s tone was low and lethal. “Remove your filthy talons from my mate.”
“You had your chance.”
Leaf’s fist met Storm’s jaw. The impact sent him sprawling backward, wings fluttering and knocking into people. Nova gasped as Leaf held nothing back, unleashing his rage on the owl shifter, climbing over him and pummeling his face with untapped fury.
“I can’t believe this,” Nova gasped, vision blurring. “What did I do to deserve this fate?”
