Page 28 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

“Save it for the debates. I think that’s enough excitement for now. You’ll all be shown to your rooms shortly. You’re to stay in the east wing throughout this process, but you can leave during your free time should you need to. However, I’d advise caution. While we have brought in a large part of the navy and have stationed guards around the castle and throughout Asker, the elections are always a tense time, and we’ve had… accidents before.”

Lessia tried to quench the anger as she took in Frayson’s words.

She was surely most prone to falling victim to anyaccidents, given the people’s reaction to her. But she was happy to learn she could leave; she had been afraid she’d be locked up here for as long as she remained in the election.

Frayson rose from his chair. “Please ensure you join us for dinner tonight. You’ll be given more information about the next few weeks.”

When Loche and Zaddock shot up and made to stalk off, Frayson called out after them.

“That goes for you as well, Loche. Things will change this year, so don’t expect the same process as last time.”

Loche’s face remained impassive as he nodded.

Flicking his eyes to hers, he winked before spinning around and leaving the room.

“He is nice to look at, but he has a mouth on him. And I’m used to soldiers.” Stellia elbowed her as Lessia rose from her chair. “I’ve heard he bites as hard as he barks, too, so I’d refrain from going all Fae on him.”

When Lessia scowled at her, the raven-haired woman grinned and gestured to Merrick. “Your man looks like he can bite quite hard, as well, though.”

She let out a sharp breath. “He is most definitely not my man.”

Stellia grinned wider. “He’s not? Well, I might jump on that, then—he’s gorgeous. And I imagine the castle can get quite cold and lonely.”

A hiss escaped Merrick when the captain brushed her fingers over his arm before wiggling her brows at them. “See you later.”

Stellia walked off with the soldier she’d brought as company, the man’s stern face displaying no emotion as he followed her out of the room.

“Not a word,” Merrick growled as he gripped her arm hard enough to bruise.

Rolling her eyes, she let him drag her out of the hall, where a guard waited to bring them up a spiraling staircase.

Chapter

Fourteen

“Absolutely not.”

Lessia glared at the open door between her and Merrick’s adjoining rooms. “Go find another room. I refuse to have a doorway to death where I’m supposed to sleep.”

Merrick threw his cloak on the bed, then stretched his arms over his head as he turned his back on her. “No.”

Then she would find another room.

There was no way she’d be able to sleep knowing he could walk in at any moment.

There wasn’t even a lock!

Grumbling to herself, she started walking toward the other door, the one that led into the long hallway the guard had shown them through, when a hand wrapped around her arm and Merrick pulled her flush against his chest.

“Don’t you think it will be a bit suspicious if you don’t trust yourcompanyto stay beside you? I’m guessing everyone else has the same setup for safety and socializing,” he hissed against her hair.

“Get off me,” Lessia spat, trying to get him to release his hold. “I know you can’t kill me, so you can stop with these intimidation attempts.”

But Merrick was too strong, and he only held her closer, reminding her of the bruises lining her back and stomach as she struggled.

“You and I will have to pretend to get along for this to work, Elessia. And while the king might want you alive,for now, you know there are other ways for me to keep you in line.”

His hot breath blew strands of hair into her face, and his magic flitted over her skin, making her ears buzz as he let some of his control slip. The oily whispers made bile rise in her throat, and she forced herself to still.

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