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“I can be civil while alsonotjumping into your bed,” I said, giving Carnon a steely look. “Why are we going to the Court of Beasts really?”
“For three reasons,” Carnon replied, waving away the lingering guards, who bowed and retreated. Without their silent presence, this meeting somehow felt more intimate, and I resisted the urge to step closer to his warmth and scent. “First, because the Lords already don’t like or trust you,” he said with a pointed look at me, “it’s best that they don’t find out about your magic through some mishap of training here at the palace.”
“Won’t they protest us leaving?” I asked, trying to avoid Carnon’s gaze by studying my hands. “Especially if they want to keep an eye on me?” I risked a glance up, but Carnon was looking ruefully at the palace.
“They’ll trust that Herne will keep an eye on you, I think,” Carnon replied with a shrug. “And Scathanna will undoubtedly try to send her spiders along to report back.”
“Her spies?” I asked.
Carnon nodded. “Don’t underestimate her.”
“Why? Did you?” I scoffed.
“Yes,” he said simply. “I did. And it cost me greatly.”
I swallowed, feeling oddly uncomfortable at the bite in his voice that spoke of loss and sorrow and something dark and sickly. I knew Carnon and Scathanna had a romantic history, but perhaps there was more to the story than just that. Carnon cleared his throat, as if regretting his words, and before I could ask him more, he said, “We leave tomorrow at first light. After we find out whatever farce the Lords are going to put you through at this cursed ball.”
“Right,” I said absently. “The ball.”
Carnon pursed his lips. “I should warn you, Red,” he said, taking a step closer to me and lifting his hand as if to touch me. He thought better of it and lowered his hand, grimacing slightly. “Before court functions, the Demon King is expected to deliver justice to those convicted of a crime. It serves to remind the court who is in control. It…” he hesitated, breaking off and swallowing. “It won’t be pretty.”
“What will you have to do?” I asked, frowning at his hesitation. “Sentence demons to jail?”
“Demon justice is a bit more literal than that, Red,” Carnon said, face becoming impassive. He seemed altogether more cold and withdrawn than he had the night before. Perhaps he was finding it harder to keep up his cocky, self-assured performance without Cerridwen and Herne for an audience.
“Literal how?” I asked.
Carnon sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Let’s just say I am expected to be completely fair in my judgments.”
Carnon began to head back toward the palace and I jogged after him awkwardly.
“Wait, what are the other two?” I asked.
He paused, turning back to me with a brow raised. “Other two what?”
“Reasons,” I clarified. “For taking me to the Court of Beasts. You said you had three reasons.”
“Oh,” Carnon said with a chuckle, taking three long strides toward me until he was standing barely an inch away. “Well, one of the reasons is purely selfish.”
“What is it?” I asked suspiciously, narrowing my eyes at his chilling grin, which sent my heart stuttering again.
“Because,” Carnon said, his voice even lower this time as he leaned his head toward me. “I can think of no place more beautiful or romantic to convince you to fall back into my bed, Elara.”
I laughed. “Yes, I’m sure the scenery will make me forget all of your lies,” I replied sarcastically. “What’s the third?”
Carnon gave me a thoughtful look that was half heated promise, half hesitant wariness. “The third,” he replied carefully, “is that the Court of Beasts was the last place the previous king was seen before he disappeared.”
Chapter 14
I frowned at my reflection in the full length mirror in Carnon’s armoire.
The dress I had chosen for tonight was like molten gold that clung to every curve of my body. The straps that held the dress up were ridiculous little things that looked like they could snap any moment. This woman staring back at me with darkly lined eyes and red lips and gold, shimmering silk was not the simple witch who lived in the middle of nowhere and always kept chalk in her pocket.
“You frown a lot lately, you know,” Carnon said lazily from the couch where he sat waiting for me to finish getting ready. “But it’s really not necessary. You’re stunning.”
I gave him an exasperated look over my shoulder, turning back to examine the dress.
“It’s just so…” I trailed off, not sure how to describe it. I felt powerful, and strong, and alluring, and like a complete and utter imposter.
