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“Pardon me, Lady Morgan, but am I boring you?” His blue eyes were cool. No hint of the fury he might be feeling there.
I longed to tell him what I really thought. Or better yet, to shove him backwards onto his ass into the fountain.
Instead, I took a shaky breath and looked up at him from under my eyelashes, a ploy I had seen some noblewomen use to their advantage.
“Not at all, Fenyx. To be honest, I’m simply... overwhelmed.”
He frowned slightly. “Overwhelmed?”
“By all of this. Being back in the castle. By my presentation in court. And now, this, being here with you.” I bit my lip in a way I hoped would look enchanting and not simply vapid. Though I suspected Fenyx wouldn’t mind either one. “I see the looks the court gives you.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. You’re a very...” I searched for the word that would please him best. “Powerful man. Immensely powerful.”
“And having the attention of such a powerful man is overwhelming to you, is it, Lady Morgan?”
It was easy to allow a blush to creep over my cheeks.
“Well, yes, truly. I did not have many suitors before Arthur sent me on his quest.” That was mostly true.
“And now? Now that you have returned and are no longer promised to the temple? Would youlikemore suitors?” There was a gleam of amusement in Fenyx’s eyes. I decided letting him think I was stupid was better than letting him think I was bored and deceitful.
“I should have to wait for my brother’s word on the matter,” I said cautiously while trying to hide a shy smile.
Fenyx smiled. “Oh, I don’t think you need fear ever having to step foot in that decrepit, old temple again. Arthur has no plans to send you back there. Not when you could be useful in other ways.”
“Other ways?” I made my voice as sweet as I could. “Of course, I should like to do anything I could to help Arthur.”
“Excellent. The best way for a woman like you to help our king would be to marry,” Fenyx said smoothly. “A strong alliance between the king and one of his closest allies.”
He had never let go of my wrist, and now his grip tightened, almost painfully.
“You’re hurting me, Fenyx,” I said breathlessly, trying to pull away. I forced a smile. “I suppose you don’t know your own strength.”
“I know how I like to touch a woman. And I’ve found most women enjoy being touched roughly, even if they deny it's true.” I felt a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
He moved even closer towards me, pushing himself up against the bodice of my dress as his gaze moved hungrily downwards over my breasts. “You certainly didn’t mind my touch last night when I carried you through the temple.”
I tried to stay very still. To hide my revulsion. “You rescued me. I am forever in your debt.”
“Indeed. You are.” Fenyx sounded overly pleased with himself. “Be sure to tell your brother of your gratitude. I should like to spend more time in your company, with his approval. Who knows what a powerful alliance we might form together, Lady Morgan.”
“You have no qualms about spending time in the company of a fae woman, Fenyx?” I dared to ask.
His smile deepened as his eyes roamed over my body. My skin crawled with disgust. “Not at all. I find the fae... most fascinating. A highly overlooked people. And with such unique beauty, too.”
“Some fear the fae,” I hedged.
“Fools.” He chuckled. “Oh, your brother despises them, yes. But what is there to fear? Their time is long gone. Now is the time for mortal power.”
I highly hoped he was wrong. An incoming fleet of Siabra ships might certainly suggest otherwise, but I said nothing, merely smiled as if he had flattered me.
“Truly a high compliment, Lord General,” I murmured.
I had hoped he would release me then, but to my horror, he instead moved his hands to my waist.
I didn’t have to feign the sharp intake of breath. But what Fenyx mistook for maidenly shyness was in fact cold rage.
