Page 81 of Merciless Is My Crown

Bella gasped when Zephryn shifted into an enormous, very naked Fae male then promptly collapsed beside the seer. Torin crawled over to him and hugged him close, then Simon landed, shifted, and the three of them became a tangle of arms and legs.

So much for keeping a low profile.

“Where is Zor?” I muttered. “Why isn’t he here?”

Torin glanced our way, her eyes wide, and I elbowed Raz. “Help her get Zephryn inside. He’s got to be freezing. Simon, too.” The whole time, panic wrapped icy fingers around my throat.

If something terrible happened, would they wait to tell me? Would they wait until we were alone to break the news?

A sob broke free when Zor popped into sight, hurrying toward me. I rubbed my aching chest, the pressure building until I could hardly breathe. Oh gods, he was alive. Alive and safe, and we were all together again.

“And you might also recognize the Shadow King’s general.” I met Bella’s wide-eyed gaze with a shaky grin.

Then I was crushed up against him, drinking him in, wiping my wet cheeks on his filthy shirt that reeked of something foul as I gripped him tight, fingers digging into flesh to reassure myself he was real. “I’m here. I’m here.” He pressed his lips to my ear. “I missed you every second of every day I was gone.”

“Likewise. Welcome to the High Barrens,” I murmured before I raised my head and gave Bella and her mother a decidedly watery smile.

“Like Raziel said, we’re unlikely allies, but you have to admit, we do bring a certain amount of star power to the table.”

“What in the fuck is that?” Zor hissed.

My eyes swung up to the wyvern watching us from the archway. “Now, if we can get Tristan to come down, we can have a civil conversation about what comes next.”

An hour later Tristan was back in his Fae form, dressed in black witch’s clothing and sliding his fingers along the too tight collar of his jacket as he stared daggers at Zephryn, who was over in one corner, his boots thrown carelessly up on a chair.

I’d glimpsed Zephryn’s wrecked leg when he’d transformed from his dragon form and knew it wasn’t disrespect that put him in that position but pain. Torin stayed beside him, her hand resting on his arm like she had to keep touching him to make sure he was real.

Simon lounged against the wall beside Tristan, arms crossed over his chest, the black, unforgiving clothing making their hair—deepest red and brightest gold—glow like flames beneath the flickering torches.

The witch archer and the almost assassin were locked away in prison cells, though Solomon had slipped through our fingers. The fortress was being searched floor by floor, assisted by Dane and Raziel, who both claimed they didn’t have the patience for negotiating alliances and that we could give them the highlights tonight over dinner.

Bella and Vesper had changed into bright, flowing tunics, the pops of color every bit as jarring against the black and gray as the first blooms of spring. Their long hair hung to their waists, and they had brought seven witches with them, both old and young, all with keen, clever eyes and serious expressions.

“Thank you for coming.” I dipped my head and took a seat, not at the head of the table but off to one side, letting everyone else sort themselves out.

I placed the crown between us, glad to be free of its crushing weight and the strange magic seeping from the black metal.

Zorander and Tavion took the chairs on either side of me, Vesper and Bella directly across from us. While everyone else jockeyed for position, I ran my hand down Zor’s arm again.

“You look thin, Zor,” I murmured, “and tired.”

“I’ll sleep well tonight now that we’re together.”

His hand clasped my knee, his slow smile edged with wickedness. “Though all I thought about for the past week was putting my mouth on you, so I hope you’re well rested, Anaria.”

Heat washed through me, and on my other side Tavion went taut, nostrils flaring before his head swung my way, the same slow smile lighting his face.

“I swear, you two are going to be the death of me,” I muttered, trying to slap away Zorander’s fingers dancing up the inside of my thigh. “Stop that. We’re here to negotiate a treaty, Zor,” I hissed beneath my breath.

“You’re here to negotiate a treaty,” Zorander corrected, never pausing his exploration. “I’m only here because this is where you are, and I missed you terribly.”

“Zorander Vayle, behave.” I moved away but that only put me within range of Tavion’s roaming hand, which smoothed up my thigh, sending shivers cascading through me. “Both of you, stop. What sort of message are we sending?” I hissed before I realized everyone was staring at us.

“You smell delicious,” Tavion murmured against my ear, and gods help me, heat spun through me, landing in my core. I closed my eyes and tried to reorder my thoughts. Vesper, though, was smiling when I opened my eyes, her face softening as she looked between the three of us.

Bella set her elbows on the table. “Firstly, we wish to thank you. For doing what we could not.”

“Not for lack of trying,” I countered. “I’m only sorry you suffered for as long as you did.”

---