Page 23 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

Not when she was close to being rid of him forever.

Ardow grabbed her arm, trying to pull her behind him, but she struggled against his hold, ignoring the strange stares they were beginning to gather.

“Please,” Lessia begged him. “I’ll be fine, I promise. Go home, and I’ll come find you as soon as I can.”

Shaking his head, his eyes frenzied with rage, Ardow made a rush for Merrick.

The magic instantly tightened around her neck, and Lessia gasped for breath, stopping Ardow in his tracks.

“What’s happening, Lia?”

When she couldn’t respond, her lungs empty and eyes glazing with panic as she struggled for air, he spun to face Merrick.

“You’re attracting attention,” Merrick purred. “I’ll take good care of her as long as you all behave,I promise.”

“You—”

“I’d think you’d want her to behave as well, Ardow. Otherwise, who knows what secrets might come out?” There was no mistaking the threat in Merrick’s quiet voice.

Ardow blanched, and Lessia was certain her coloring matched his—and not because of her empty lungs.

She wasn’t surprised he knew Ardow’s name—he’d followed her for years, after all—but did he know of the children? And if so, how? He’d never come by the house, at least never when she was around, and none of their night guards had mentioned him sneaking around either.

Swaying as black spots began dancing before her eyes, she grasped at her throat.

“She’s about to pass out. Not that I particularly care, but I believe she was about to nominate herself, so that might prove challenging.” Merrick yawned.

Ardow desperately met her eyes again, but when she narrowed hers at him, he threw his hands in the air.

“Fine, just let her go. I need to see her breathe,” Ardow hissed.

The pressure loosened, and Lessia nearly fell into the Fae when she was finally able to draw a breath.

Merrick reached out as if to steady her—or perhaps keep her from running—but she caught herself at the last minute, recoiling from his touch.

“Leave,” she got out.

“If you hurt her…” Ardow glared at Merrick.

“She said leave.” With that, Merrick wrapped his hand around her arm and forced her to spin around to face the dais.

When she glanced over her shoulder, Ardow was nowhere to be seen.

She sucked in another shaky breath.

It was for the better.

Now he could help Amalise, and if the elections were as dangerous as he believed, it was better he was safe at home.

No need to risk both their lives.

But even so, loneliness snaked its way into her heart as she stared at the platform, where another man had just nominated himself while they’d argued.

“I guess it’s you and me now, Elessia.” Merrick pushed her a stumbling step forward. “Time to shine.”

Chapter

Eleven

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