Once a dark fae had shadow kissed someone, all their victim craved was sex and to please the ones willing to give them what they sought. These men were no longer under Veni’s control; Bria was gaining a following all her own.
There’s no way the duke knows about this.He wouldn’t tolerate anything beyond his control, and he certainly wouldn’t accept it from a woman he considered lesser than him, even if shewasthe true heir to the throne.
He wouldn’t cast her aside until he had Ellery in his control, but hewouldtoss her aside. They were engaged to be married, but there was no love between them; it was all a power play on their parts.
I suspected that neither of them had ever intended to follow through on their engagement. They were using each other to gain the throne, and once they did, they’d probably each try to kill one another in their sleep.
Or maybe they’d do it while the other was awake. It didn’t matter to them how the other died, and it sure didn’t matter to me.
It would be rather fitting if they killed one another… except,I’dmuch prefer to kill the duke.
“Perhaps you should tell Veni that, or maybe some of the other aristocrats. He’s kept the secret from them, but they might be willing to help you gain the throne,” I replied.
There was no way they’d go against the duke, not even for Leo’s daughter, but someone might be dumb enough to decide they’d marry her. Or maybe we’d all get lucky, a civil war would break out, and they’d all kill one another.
“Where’s the woman?” Bria demanded. “I’ll help get her away from your father and keep her safe.”
I released a harsh bark of laughter. “Leo was my best friend, and you’re his daughter, but I trust you as much as I trust Veni.”
“I’ll ensure your father doesn’t get his hands on her.”
“By trying to kill her?”
“I wouldn’t?—”
“Let’s not play games, Bria. I’m not an idiot, no matter what Veni says.Yourfather taught me the art of war, planning, and scheming. I’ve seen it all a thousand times before. I’d die before I ever told you where she is.”
Her jaw clenched as she lifted her chin. “I can do things to you too.”
“What could you possibly do? All those who tried to break me have failed. Just ask Veni how it worked out for him. And if you think that what’s between your pretty little thighs tempts me, you’re greatlyfuckingmistaken. Your father was my best friend, and I would have protected you because of it, but if you died tonight, I wouldn’t give a shit.”
When she glared at me, I smiled back. She was a scheming bitch who was used to getting her way, but she wouldn’t with me.
Her gaze flickered to Tucker and the other prisoners. “What about them? Are they all so loyal to her too?”
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
Ryker
“Oh,honey, I’ve been there and done that with the dark fae, but I’m still standing,” Tucker said.
“I’d rather fuck a hole,” someone else muttered.
“You have nothing to offer us, Bria. So why don’t you run along, get back on your knees and suck Veni’s dick again, because he’s the only one who has any use for you.”
I didn’t acknowledge the guards behind her; they’d do whatever she asked, but if they opened these doors to come at us, I’d gladly kill them.
“I am part dark fae and can control air, earth, fire, and water as well as the shadows,” she snarled. “I could kill you.”
“No, you couldn’t. You’re not strong enough for that, and even if you were, Veni would hunt you down and rip you to shreds. He’s already killed all of Leo’s other children. If I were you, I’d run far and fast from here.”
Fury shone in her eyes before she suppressed it. And it was then I realized Veni hadn’t granted her the ability to leaveTempest. No wonder she wanted Ellery dead so badly that she risked coming here.
“You’re as trapped here as the rest of us,” I said.
Power swelled in the air as the flames in the torches flickered. With these chains, I was helpless to deflect anything she might throw at me, but I didn’t move away from the bars or shift my casual position.
Even if she unleashed her wrath, it would be nothing compared to everything I’d endured over the years. Plus, the duke would know she was here, or someone was, if he returned to find me burned.
