Page 48 of A War of Three Kings

I have never felt more alien or unwelcome in my life.

Movement at the dais where the lords sit draws my eye. Keira rises from her seat, her eyes wide as she stares at me. She takes a single step in my direction, as though she can’t handle the glares being cast my way and plans to march right over here and save me from them. Edmund grabs her arm and tugs her back down, whispering furiously in her ear.

The servant’s hands shake as he leads us through the hall to the same table on the dais. He stumbles twice, and almost falls flat on his face the third time. I grab the neck of his tunic and put him back on his feet before his face collides with the ground. From the dark looks I receive from both Edmund and Tomas, one would think I just assaulted the man.

Lord Tomas turns to Edmund. “You will excuse my wife and youngest daughter—both are feeling unwell, and my twosons are out on multi-day hunts. But I would like these fae mercenaries of yours to sit beside me instead. I find them rather…interesting.”

Edmund shrugs. “If you wish.”

Keira sits next to her father, and all I want is to take the seat beside her and block out the rest of the world. It is a struggle to drag my eyes away from her beauty.

Half her vibrant red curls are coiled on top of her head, and the rest tumble down her back. A white gown clings to her generous curves and the neckline, trimmed in gold, dips low enough to reveal her breasts. I want to press my face into them again and never leave.

I get a look down her cleavage as I pass behind her chair to take the seat beside Lord Tomas. The scent of rose oil drifts up from her, and I want to groan at the sharp pang of longing that blooms within me. Not just for sex. I crave the easy affection we once shared before everything became so incredibly messy.

The moment my gaze locks on Lord Tomas, my simmering fury rears up again.

I know he is planning something. His smirk only slips a little as he gazes over his shoulder at the guards lining the wall behind us, as though they could keep him safe from me.

Lord Tomas stands and claps his hands, and immediately a band plays music and servants carry out tray after tray of meat. One platter is placed directly in front of me, and I inspect the cuts of thinly sliced meat in varying shades. There are multiple types of animals here.

“What is this?” I ask Tomas.

His smirk widens. “I thought it would be a great honor to serve our fae friends here meat from their homeland.” His eyes roll over to Edmund. “We have cracks in the barriers between worlds too, even if we don’t have portals. We hunt our own game.” Tomas turns back to me. “You see, we have a law in thisrealm that if a fae trespasses, they are executed immediately. It is the only way we humans remain safe. Perhaps you have forgotten this law, Edmund?”

Edmund’s face remains stony. “I have not forgotten.”

“What kind of meat is this? From which kind of fae?” I grind out, unable to help the way my jaw clicks.

“Oh, you know, a bit of this and that. You fae are all the same to us.” Tomas’ eyes glitter from his power play. I could crush him in an instant should I choose to. I wouldn’t even need to call on my magic.

Edmund looks from the lord to me, his narrowed eyes furious but calculating. Finally, he shakes his head at me. This is not the time for this battle. Bitterness rises in my throat that I am expected to sit here and take this weak man’s mocking. But I would give my life to protect Keira. What is my pride worth?

“Lord Tomas, this is highly offensive to the fae,” Keira cries, leaning over the table to twist around the bulky form of her father. The little lord shrugs unapologetically.

“Just eat it, Aldrin,” Silvan growls beside me, loud enough for them to hear. “These people couldn’t take down a high fae or nymph. It’s probably Cú Sídhe.”

Lord Tomas’ face reddens at those words.

“I’m not eating it if they are serving me goblin,” I spit back.

Edmund picks up a bowl of root vegetables and dumps it in front of me. “Here, Aldrin, eat some carrots.” He shoots Tomas a dark look.

Silvan laughs. “If they are serving goblin, the humans will be dead before you get a stomach-ache.” He bends around me. “Keira, don’t eat the meat. Edmund, you should have a second serve.”

I can’t help the dark laugh that rolls out of me at their varying expressions of shock.

“Why don’t you go first?” I say to Lord Tomas, gesturing toward the platter, menace dripping from my tone. “You can tell us if the meat is any good.”

He doesn’t take his eyes off me as he warily shovels roasted slices onto his plate. Edmund grumbles under his breath about dramatics as he eats. The little lord skewers a generous portion and puts it in his mouth, chewing slowly as I lean in to watch him closely, a slow smirk growing on my face.

As Lord Tomas swallows, I strike, catching his throat in a constricting air wield and not allowing the meat to go down. He makes a small choking sound, then tries unsuccessfully to swallow again. The meat lodges, probably cutting off his air as well. His eyes flare wide at me.

I take my goblet and sip the wine. “What’s wrong, Tomas? Does fae flesh not agree with you?”

He scratches at his throat, a broken-off cough escaping him as his face purples. Fear erupts in his eyes and his meaty jowls flap as he gags. His pupils blow out as he stares at me again, unsure if this is my doing or not.

I smile at him, tipping my head to the side. “Do you need a little help? You know, some pixies have barbs in them, and it can make it very hard for the meat to go down.”

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