His head cocked to the side. “I thought you wanted to go to Heims? Remember? I said I’d take you when you were lying naked in my bed?”
Reason drained from her as that warm kindling in her stomach grew. The thread of Magic bonding her to another pulled tight. She yanked on it, setting her chest ablaze.
“Is that meant to be a blow?” she asked. “If I recall, you found release twice.”
Warmth spread through the base of her stomach, settling like ash.
Careful, kitten. Don’t piss him off so badly there’s nothing left of you for me to scrape up off the floor.
It took everything in her not to react as Reeve’s voice echoed across her mind. She swallowed slowly, watching Mal with careful interest. He showed no indication he knew Reeve had just spoken to her.
Mal stared at her, unaffected by her bold comments.
Dead eyes. Dead fucking eyes.
“Maeve,” said Abraxas, pulling her from her thoughts and directing her attention to him. He hesitated, chewing on his words, his lips twitching as he avoided eye contact with her. “This evening, the High Lord of Aterna will join us here.”
Mal clicked his tongue. Abraxas tensed. “Apologies, my King,” he said. “Reeve will join us here.”
Mal’s chin landed on his fist, propped on the arm of his chair. “There’s not much point in calling him The High Lord anymore, is there?”
“No, my King,” answered Abraxas swiftly.
“Especially not now that I understand it was he who granted the Elven Lands power.” Mal’s eyes landed on Maeve. “Some things are worth overlooking, though, when I stand to gain so much more.”
Maeve shook her head at her cousin in disbelief. “Why would he come here?”
Mal’s words carried through her. She looked over at him sharply. There was no way. Her mouth fell slightly open. “To bend the knee?”
Mal smiled, his brows pulling together as if it was obvious. And when he spoke, her stomach plummeted to the floor. “To take you.”
Her voice shook as she said, “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t you remember?” said Mal, his fingers running along the table between them. “His armies for a bride.”
Maeve grabbed that ridiculous thread of Magic deep in her stomach and yanked on it.
What are you doing?she hissed towards Reeve.
His reply was delayed.Just breathe.
This is exactly why she couldn’t stand this arrogant man. She was always in the dark. Always ten steps behind him.
Mal continued, a smooth satisfaction in his voice. “It seems after all this time, he still desires his mate above all. You should celebrate, today you are worth an entire army of trained and broken soldiers.”
Maeve swallowed, a sickening feeling replacing that warmth in her stomach.
“Oh, Maeve,” said Mal, feigning pity as she exhaled sharply. “Did you think you’d stay at my side when you can no longerfight? Your new duty as my right hand will be in Aterna, finding out who Reeve’s Inheritor is.”
She leaned towards him. “How could that possibly matter anymore? You have everything.Shehas everything.”
Mal leaned towards her, accepting her challenge. “If you think I have everything, you couldn’t be more ignorant. I have only just begun.” Mal gave one final thought, his voice laced with the unspoken threat that she wouldn’t continue to question him. “It’s imperative Reeve’s power remains with him. You will ensure that. Of course, you could stay here. All it would take is the surrendering of your spell.”
Maeve leaned back, shaking her head.
“That’s fine,” said Mal. “We have forever together, you and I. Pour toujours, a tout jamais, right?”
Forever. And always.
