Page 29 of Court of Lies and Deceit

“As if you didn’t already know that.”

A slow and incredibly sharp smile spreads across Orion’s mouth, but he doesn’t confirm or deny it.

“We’ve upheld our end of the bargain,” Draven declares.

The Unseelie King slides his gaze over all of us for a moment before finally replying, “Yes, you have.” His eyes find mine. “Selena’s life in exchange for Danzo’s.”

“Then that concludes our business.” Draven narrows his eyes. “I suggest you?—”

“Are you truly content just hiding in here behind your wards?” Isera cuts him off, her blazing eyes locked on the Unseelie King.

His black and silver eyes slide to her. I hold my breath. The silence thrums against the white stone walls as Orion slowly drags his gaze up and down Isera’s body before locking eyes full of challenge on her.

“Who’s hiding?” he counters.

“You know damn well that you’re hiding in here.” Her eyes are as hard and merciless as the ice she wields as she glares back at him. “So why not take this chance to do something about it? The Icehearts have lost the Commander of the Dread Legion. The Shadow of Death and the entire Black Dragon Clan are on our side.” She flicks her hand towards me and Alistair. “We are the three strongest magic users in the entire Seelie Court. And we’re all ready to fight.”

On her other side, Alistair whips his head around and stares at her. But her eyes are still only locked on Orion as she continues speaking.

“You will never have a better opportunity than this. Join us. Together, we can take down the Iceheart Dynasty once and for all.”

The silence that descends over the beautiful throne room is so thick that I can almost feel it pressing against my skin. My heart beats so loudly in my chest that I’m certain everyone must hear it in this dead quiet room. If Orion actually agrees, it’s going to change everything. With the Unseelie Court on our side, we might actually stand a chance.

I try to remember to breathe as Orion Nightbane studies us all in silence for another few seconds.

Then he laughs.

It’s a vicious and mocking sound.

Lightning flashes in Isera’s eyes, and she takes a step forward. But Alistair grabs her by the arm, stopping her from launching across the floor and strangling the life out of the snickering king. A snarl rips from her throat, and she yanks her arm out of his grip, but she doesn’t have time to move again because Orion finally replies.

“Why should I?” he demands. Flicking his wrist, he indicates all of us. “You are the most miserable group I have ever seen.” His eyes lock on Draven. “A former commander who trusts no one.” His gaze slides to Galen and Lyra. “Two magicless soldiers who are drowning in guilt.”

Both of them flinch.

But Orion’s eyes just shift to me. “One emotion wielder who is terrified of her own power.” His gaze moves to Alistair. “One fire wielder who doesn’t even want to be here.” At last, he locks eyes with Isera again. And his gaze seems to spear through herlike a blade. “And one ice lady who is so consumed by vengeance that she has shut off all her emotions.”

My heart pounds in my chest. How does he know so much about us? Aboutme?

Then realization slides down my spine like ice. He can rifle through all our bad memories. He knows more about us than we do.

The Unseelie King flicks his wrist in a dismissive gesture. “You are weak and broken and I will not risk my court by backing the losing team.”

“Then our business here is done,” Draven declares. Without so much as a nod to Orion, he turns and jerks his chin at the rest of us. “Let’s go.”

“I will not—” Isera begins, and starts taking another step towards the throne.

But before she can even lift her foot, Draven grabs her by the front of her silver tunic and yanks her face closer to his as he growls, “I said,out. Now.”

The sheer power and command in his voice pulse through the room like a physical blow. That was not a request from an ordinary dragon shifter. That was an order from the Commander of the Dread Legion. A command issued. A command obeyed.

The utter authority in his voice stuns even Isera so much that she hesitates. Draven uses his grip on her shirt to shove her in the direction of the doors. She stumbles several steps before managing to find her balance again. Fury flares up in her eyes, but when Draven stalks towards her, she just grinds her teeth and then storms towards the doors as well.

For a moment, I just remain rooted there on the white stone floor. Then I hurry to catch up with them. The others do the same.

While walking briskly towards the door, I cast a quick look over my shoulder.

Orion Nightbane is still lounging on his throne. But instead of that cruel and dismissive look in his eyes, his beautiful face is now full of amusement and wicked anticipation. It makes a bolt of alarm shoot up my spine, and I quickly snap my gaze back to the doors ahead.

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