Mal looked up at his captor, his demon, and his Queen, and spoke with certainty. “No.”
Chapter 17
Maeve lingered in the doorway of Mal’s study. She adjusted the sleeve of her gown in the silence, wondering why he’d called her there prior to that evening’s events.
Alphard was to be publicly honored for his efforts in the war and for his allegiance to the crown.
Maeve arrived at Castle Morana early, as she had been instructed to.
Mal played with the Dread Ring on his finger as he reclined at his desk, eyes on her. Hazel swam in them. A pathetically small comfort for her.
“Where is your Queen?” asked Maeve, tucking her hands behind her back and testing the waters.
Mal’s eyes traced down over her at the gesture. A predatory smile kicked at the corner of his lips. He stepped towards her once more. “Is that jealousy in your tone, Mrs. Mavros?”
“Of course not,” said Maeve smoothly.
“I know you’re a better liar than that.”
A silent moment passed between them, Mal’s green eyes holding her hostage.
“Apologies, my Prince,” she said softly. “I suppose I should have bowed formally and thanked you for honoring myhusbandthis evening.”
A swift breath rose across his chest, and he stood. Maeve’s chin lifted slightly higher.
“You’re going to tell him before his promotion,” said Mal lowly, now standing. “About Maxius.”
“What?” she asked, her teeth tightly together.
“And it’s King now,” he added, closing the gap between them gracefully. “I won’t repeat myself.”
Maeve swallowed.
“Because,” he continued. “I’ll be telling Maxius tonight myself.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but the words came out as nothing more than a quick, throaty sound. Magic held her tongue as his head cocked to the side. The realization that he’d been loose with her, he’d given her space to think she stood a chance against him, washed over her.
It took hardly anything from him to stop the very air in her lungs. She froze beneath his power. Her Magic remained still and unmoving.
His brows raised. “You’re not even going to fight back?” He smiled lazily. “Tonight will go smoothly, then.”
He passed her, releasing his invisible hold on her throat, and commanded her as he walked away. “Go and break his heart.”
His unhurried footsteps were long gone before she moved.
Alphard wasn’t there to be honored. Maxius wasn’t there to watch.
They were all there to be exposed for the lie.
Herlies.
“I need to speak with you,” she said, pulling Alphard away from a Bellator in the main floor’s corridor without an apology or even a slight courtesy.
“You’re shaking,” he noted as he followed her out of the hall without question.
“Where are Zimsy and Maxius?” she asked, rounding a few guests.
“Should be here any minute,” he replied, looking over her.
