AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Probably to test me,” Carnon growled. “And you. She likes to prod my weaknesses more than the other Lords.” He cursed again quietly, shaking his head ruefully and putting his hands on my shoulders. “I need to know, Elara. Can you still do this?” He looked down at me, jaw clenched in either anger or panic, or maybe both. I hesitated, looking into his eyes and trying to find the killer in them. Trying to remind myself what I had just seen him do. But I knew he wasn’t a killer. Not without reason. He had warned me himself that I wouldn’t like what he had to do.
Instead of responding with words, I rose onto my toes and pulled him into a fierce kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck just as Scathanna pulled back the curtain.
Chapter 15
“My apologies,” said Scathanna tartly as I pulled away from Carnon, trying to look guilty like we had been caught unawares. Carnon looked rather dazed, a red smear of lipstick on his mouth where blood had been only a few minutes earlier, and I suppressed a shudder as I met Scathanna’s furious glare with a disinterested one of my own. “I didn’t realize you wereoccupied, my King.”
Tyr raised a skeptical brow at me, and I tried to fight the flush that was clawing its way up my neck as I pulled Carnon’s face back down to mine in one more blistering kiss. He responded more enthusiastically this time, arm curling around my waist as he explored my mouth with his tongue. Scathanna coughed in annoyance, and my reluctance to pull away from him wasn’t entirely an act.
“I’ll go find some more wine,” I said, smiling in a way that I hoped looked seductive as I staggered a little, hastening away from them all and toward the crowded throne room. I caught sight of Herne’s huge form near a table of food and rushed through the dancing crowd, hoping Cerridwen was nearby.
“Gods,” she said through a mouthful of food. She swallowed thickly and ran surreptitious hands over my hair. I winced, not having realized my level of dishevelment when I left the alcove. “What happened to you? Are you alright?”
“Fine,” I breathed, straightening my gown and checking that my lipstick hadn’t smeared too widely with my thumb. “Sorry. Carnon wanted to explain and then Scathanna and Tyr showed up.”
“And the judgment,” Cerridwen said quietly, glancing at Herne and biting her bottom lip. “I thought for sure you were going to faint up there when you saw it.”
“The Horned God’s justice is fair,” Herne intoned, arms crossed as he scowled at his mate.
“That doesn’t mean she was ready to see it,” Cerridwen snapped. Herne grunted in what was probably the closest thing to a concession he would give, and Cerridwen rolled her eyes, pulling me away from him. “He isn’t violent unless he has to be,” she said, looking at me as if worried I might run screaming any second. “I know he told you he wasn’t kind, and he’s not in matters of judgment, but he really is a good king. A good male.”
I frowned at Cerridwen, trying to understand why she was so fiercely defending her brother to me. “I know,” I said, realization hitting me. “Cerridwen, you do know that this betrothal is fake, right? I’m not really going to marry him.”
Cerridwen bit her lip again. “I know you say that,” she said, “but—-”
“Elara?” came a soft voice. Cerridwen and I both jumped at the same time to see Brigid smiling tentatively. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” she said, putting her hands up as if to calm a wild beast. “We just haven’t met properly. Am I interrupting?”
Brigid glanced between us, and Cerridwen blew out a breath. “No, of course not Lady Brigid,” she smiled in return, as if we hadn’t just been discussing a secret that could seriously undermine my plans. And Carnon’s.
Brigid smiled widely and warmly, like the sun rising over the sea. “Just Brigid, please,” she said, clasping her hands in front of her. “I hope you’re not too horrified by the barbaric rituals of our religion, Elara. I can barely stand them myself.”
“Oh,” I said, hesitating. I wasn’t sure if this was a test, but Carnon had indicated that Brigid was probably the safest of the Lords, and potentially trustworthy. “Yes, it was a bit of a shock.”
“An understatement, I’m sure,” she replied, looking sympathetic. “I assure you, not all Demon Courts are so barbaric.”
“Everyone is too happy in your court to commit any crimes,” Cerridwen pointed out.
Brigid smiled, completely oblivious to any criticism. “It is a blessing, although we still have some petty theft here and there. Mostly children getting into mischief.” She looked at me again. “But really, I hope you’re not too put off. Lord Carnon is really a very fair king. And it’s clear that he’s deeply in love with you.”
“It is?” I asked, looking at Cerridwen, who shrugged with a little smile.
“Oh yes!” Brigid said, stepping closer and clasping her hands in earnest. “Just the way he looks at you. I can tell he feels passionately. You’re lucky to have found each other.”
“Akela found me actually,” I said, remembering the lie I was supposed to be crafting. “In the Bloodwood. Coven justice is similar to the Horned God’s, you see, and I was in a bit of trouble myself.”
“Well then it must have been fate,” Brigid beamed, practically radiating positivity. “You’re so lucky. Some of us search for centuries and never find ours.”
“Find your what?” I asked.
“Brigid, have you tried these shrimp puffs?” Cerridwen said loudly, pulling the Lady of Sun away from me and waving a pastry in her face. I scowled at Cerridwen as Brigid took the pastry.
“Find your what?” I pressed.
“Your mate of course,” Brigid said, popping the pastry into her mouth.
“My…” I turned to Cerridwen, a dawning realization creeping through me. Cerridwen put her face in her hands.
“Oh, he’s so going to kill me,” she said.
