“Yousee?Doyou see how she mocks me?Iwill not stand for this insult from a whore such as—”
“Thatis enough,LordQuen.”KingRahul’svoice did not carry any anger, and that upsetTorifar more than the insult thrown at her. “Leaveus,Iwill deal with my daughter.”Heturned and strode out, but not beforeToriblew him one last kiss, and his face turned completely red.Ifelt her petty happiness swell before it all came crashing down.Rahulstepped up to her now, and as soon as the lord had left the room, slapped her across her face.Ifelt the sting on her skin, but it was the gaping pit that opened in her stomach that hurt far more.Ifelt the queen shift on her throne, but she said nothing.
“Yousully the name of this house with your actions.Howmany betrothals have you ruined now?”
“Perhapsif you stopped trying to sell me off to the highest bidder.Ihave told you;Idon’t wish to be married to some liege lord.Atleast give me the honor of marrying me to someone decent, not some land grabbing merchant.”
“Atthis rate, you would be lucky if any man would marry you with your reputation.”
“Ido nothing more than every other fae in this court!”
“Youare not any other fae, you arePrincessToriKhato, and you shall control yourself.”Henever raised his voice, but it didn't matter.Thelast words hitToriharder than his slap.Shelooked to her mother, who simply turned her head away.Thepit inTori’sstomach opened even further.Shelooked down, unable to meet her father’s eyes.
“Icould be so much more than someone’s bride,Father.”
“What, with all the fighting you do?Ormaybe with all your failed lessons and foolish exploits?Perhapsone of these days you will finally fall from those cliffs and give me some damn peace.”
Ifelt the hot sting of tears inTori’seyes, “Yes,Father, that would be easier for all of us, wouldn’t it?”
She’dleft the room calmly, andI’dfelt nothing but a deep, unending darkness that seemed to grow with every step.Thiswas not the first time this had happened, but today it would be the last.Shereached her room and pulled open the drawer of her vanity.Insidesat several small vials of a milky white potion.Shequickly unstoppered one, then two, downing the contents in a single gulp.Shedidn’t stop until seven vials lay empty, and her body began to give out beneath her.Theneverything went black.
Islammed my fist into the stone wall in front of me, leaving a crater as small pieces fell away.Rahulwas luckyIhadn’t known these details when we had met, orI’msure he would not have survived the encounter.Hewas more of a fool thanIhad imagined.Myblood boiled asIthought about how closeIhad come to losing her beforeIhad ever even known her.
Ipaced my room, sleep eluding me.Thisconnection between us had become dangerous.Iwas lucky she had seen the memories she had.Perhapsit was because of my conversation withAvlyn, my mind had been caught on that fateful day.Ishook my head.Nopoint in dwelling on it now.Aknock came at my door.
LordNaluxstood with two beautiful half-fae women outside my door. “Iheard you could use some company tonight?”Thisman always seemed to know whenIwas in a foul mood and needed a distraction.Iallowed him and the women in whenIsawAvlynlurking in the hall.Iexcused myself and stepped out.
“Amessage,Abraxas.”
“Outwith it,Commander,I’ma bit occupied.”
Avlynrolled their eyes, “Wellyou aren’t gonna like it.EmperorHadeonis on his way and expects a celebration for his visit.”
“Fuckhim.Alwayswith the dramatics.What, he expects a delayed solstice celebration because we were off fighting instead of drinking and fucking?”Avlynnodded their head,“IsupposeIcan’t keep the princess away from it either?”
“Hespecifically requested for her to accompany him.”
Atthat, my chest burned with rage. “She’snot ready.Shewon’t be able to handle him.”
“Yougive her too little credit,Abraxas.Sheholds her own with the cohorts, and she got us more information from that tight-lippedPlagisthan anyone else had managed before.She’scapable.”IimaginedHadeon’sarm around her waist, running his fingers through her hair and getting to inhale her delicious scent.Ifhe saw how strong she really was, how cunning, but still so vulnerable, he would sink his claws into her and never let go.Ididn’t blameAvlyn, but they didn’t understand.ItwasTori’scapabilities that made her a target.
Idismissed them and returned to my room.Naluxwas already naked with both women on top of him, one astride his face and the other with his cock in her mouth.Hepushed the first aside when he heard me enter.
“Ohno,Iknow that look.GoodthingIalready versed these ladies on the rules.”
Ipulled off my night robe and gripped his face in my hand, “Good, because until you say red,I’mnot stopping tonight.”
Chapter23
Tori
Ireadied myself for training likeIdid every day, when a knock came at my door.Iopened it to seeCiaraandAvlynwaiting expectantly for me.Avlynshoved their way in without hesitation, butCiaragave me an apologetic curtsy and waited for me to invite her in.Theysat themselves down on my small couch, andAvlynlaunched right in.
“Right, so the bad news, or the worse news first?”
“Avlyn, must you always be so dramatic?”
“Yes, and well, ok, bad news first.EmperorHadeonwill be here in a week for a grand ball.”Theocean of my mind thatIhad managed to keep calm despite my encounter with the king suddenly bottomed out, like a tidal wave approaching the shore.
