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“I woke up with quite the headache this morning. I thought relieving some of the tension might help it go away.” He took a long sip of his wine, watching me.
The savory scent of our meal filled the room as Nymphs walked in, setting the plates before us. I looked over King Windre’s shoulder, hoping to see Red. She wasn’t there.
“Your Nymph had a longer session with my torturer this morning. She was still dripping too much blood for me to want her to drag herself over my freshly cleaned carpets.”
“I’m surprised by that,” I said.
“How so?”
“She’s bled so much. How does she have any left to give?” I cracked a smile.
King Windre chuckled quietly, slipping his fork into his hand. “You can be funny sometimes.”
Except for the fact that I wasn’t funny. I had never been a funny guy. It was just the only way to say the words of my concern without him taking them so seriously. A small moment of truth that needed to be said.
I turned my head away. It was sort of a relief not to have Red watching me eat. It made the knotted feelings of guilt within the pit of my stomach loosen, just a little.
“I’ve heard your Nymphs whispering,” I started, popping a crisp piece of broccoli into my mouth.
“Gossipy little things. Have they said anything worth noting?” King Windre’s gaze flickered from me to Jerydin, who had placed himself quietly by the door.
“I’ve just heard a lot about some sort of rebellion. The Heathern Court isn’t doing well? From the sounds of it, their king has fled and is currently missing. Just curious what the truth in that is and what your opinion may be.”
“Ah, yes, a pesky problem that one is.” What was a tiny ghost of a smile faded away to a dark scowl. “I have men already working on that issue, but it’s information that I cannot freely disclose. I apologize, but your loyalty to me is none.”
Well, that lot of information did me absolutely no good. I wanted to avoid the Heathern Court. I wanted to avoid Randsin. But…Red needed to be there. If there were Nymphs there fighting, as Red had attempted to do, she needed to be with her people. It was safe. Even if that meant that she wasn’t with me. No matter how I wanted to keep her close, it seemed that I only brought her misfortune.
Something like a shiver made its way down my spine. Since when was I taking Red’s safety into consideration. Why should I care? Why would I? The truth behind those thoughts remained. Confusing, dangerous thoughts.
A door on the opposite side of the room opened with no sound. The movement caught my eye, my hand drifting to the knife at my belt. Had there been a door there a moment before? I didn’t think there ever had been. Behind me, Jerydin was already shifting from his position and walking toward the door. King Windre set his glass down and perched on his seat like he was ready to jump out of it if need be.
Red hair poked through the door, a Fae man who looked around with an apologetic smile. “Hate to interrupt, I really do.” He stepped fully into the room, wings just as Jerydin’s, but scarred with long jagged lines, sprouted from his back. The man bobbed his head in regards to me and turned to King Windre.
Someone else stepped in beside him. The figure stilled as my gaze traveled to meet the other man. Cropped black curls, large brown almond-shaped eyes, and the trained, perfect military posture.
“King Windre, could we borrow you for just a moment?” he continued.
My body went stiff. Fighting the urge to bolt up from my seat, my hands gripped the table. I could feel magic burning through my veins. The call of the blood oath demanding to be fulfilled stung my skin like a thousand poison-dipped needles.
Randsin’s eyes were wide as he stared at me. The wood of the table groaned under my hands. Trembles shook my boots against the floor.
“Do you know each other?” King Windre asked, looking from me to his guests.
My will was dwindling with every passing second. “Randsin,” I said, my words a gnarled breath. “You’re a wanted man. You need to get out of here before I can’t control myself anymore. You need to leave.Now!”
I didn’t need to say anything else. Randsin sprinted away and out the door. The last tie to my will dissolved with one final effort. With both hands, I pushed the table with all my strength, throwing it toward the red-headed Fae and the open door. The Fae jumped out of the way, food, dishes, and wine crashed and splattered across the floor, across the walls. The table was the only thing blocking the door now. The only obstacle I could make for myself to delay the rush to capture him.
My voice rang out in a deep bellow. Every movement was stiff with the pull of my Queen’s words.
Find the thief.
Get the token.
Find the thief.
Get the token.
Find the thief.
