Page 3 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

When her eyes flew open, she stared at herself in the dusty mirror behind the counter, and a shiver snaked down her spine at how her eyes glowed like molten gold in the dim light.

Apart from the pointed ears, she could be mistaken for human, albeit a quite tall female, but when she let her magic reign like this, there was no mistaking her Fae heritage.

Once again, she tapped the soldier’s shoulder, and when his smug face snapped her way, his body stilled, his muscles locking.

“What the…”

The soldier backed into the counter once more, the ale in the two cups he held spilling onto his black boots.

Lessia closed the distance between them, gripping thelapel of his uniform jacket and bringing her face to his. She let her hair fall forward again, two bronze curtains concealing her face from the other patrons.

“What—what happened to your eyes?” The soldier’s voice shook as his gaze flitted between her hand and eyes.

Ignoring his question, she let magic seep into her voice, transforming it into a deep, seductive murmur as her eyes locked with his. “You will give those cups to my friends. And you’ll continue to buy us drinks all night—courtesy of your big, big heart,” she purred.

The soldier’s eyes glazed over, his posture relaxing as he nodded.

Smiling, Lessia continued. “As a matter of fact, you’ll be happy to do it. After tonight, you’ll remember that the harbor and the east side of Asker belong to me and my friends. And you want to please us. Please be sure to inform your friends as well.”

Lessia blinked, forcing the lingering magic back inside her until the unnatural glow left her eyes and her natural honey color returned.

Rolling her neck, she offered the soldier a sweet smile, tilting her head when he still hovered by the bar. “What are you waiting for?”

The soldier scrambled to gather all the cups in his hands, and Lessia laughed softly when he walked over and, with a smile on his face, distributed them amongst her friends, leaving a cup behind for her.

Grinning to herself, she lifted the mug to take a sip of ale. Even if she often felt like she cheated when she used her magic, since no soul in Havlands could withstand her commands, it was helpful in situations like this.

But Lessia’s smile fell when cold, oily magic rippled over her skin, and her hand froze midair. With the hair on the backof her neck rising and her Fae senses blaring, she whipped around so quickly the ale sloshed over her hands.

Her heart hammered against her ribs as she beheld the silver-haired Fae slipping onto one of the high chairs beside her. The snow clinging to his gray cloak glittered in the dim light, and his tanned skin and the cascading waves of his shoulder-length hair shimmered—even in the depths of winter.

“That’s what you waste your magic on? Some free ale and a simple human?” His deep voice rumbled through her, her heart beating in rhythm with his fingers tapping the bar.

Even with his glamour in place, the soldiers around them retreated, keeping a respectful distance—their dull human senses picking up on the danger radiating from the Fae.

Not that it surprised her. Full Fae could cast a glamour over themselves—could trick anyone into believing they were mere humans. But Merrick was one of the Fae king’s most vicious soldiers, and not even a glamour could mask the cloud of hostility that clung to him.

She’d heard the stories about him growing up, how the Fae called him the Death Whisperer—how alone, he’d taken out entire companies of soldiers that dared stand against him.

Lessia shakily set down the cup and wiped her hands on her breeches. “Merrick.”

Clasping her hands behind her back to prevent him from seeing them tremble, she swallowed. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

She winced as her voice wavered, and cast a quick glance toward her friends.

Thankfully, they were occupied, toasting with the soldier she’d sent over and laughing as more of his friends joined them, each with drinks in his hands.

Silently cursing herself for staying in the past two nights,she waited, stiffening as his magic continued to dance over her skin.

The layers of clothes she wore did nothing to keep the oily vibrations off her. On the contrary, she could almost hear the magic whispering through the wool.

She’d have to take a bath and scrub every inch of her body to feel clean again.

Merrick angled his head, always careful to keep his eyes averted from hers, his long fingers impatiently running over the surface of the bar. Bren eyed her as he swiftly placed a goblet of golden liquor before him. When she inclined her head, Bren slipped away, hurrying to the other side of the bar.

“Where were you the past few days?” Merrick lifted the cup, swirling the liquid a few times before he took a long sip.

Lessia followed his movements closely as he elegantly set it down, his tongue darting out to lick a stray drop off his full lips.

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