Page 86 of Court of Lies and Deceit

He laughs again. It’s an arrogant sound, full of challenge. “In a one-on-one, you would be weeping for mercy at my feet within the first minute, you brooding beast.”

“Put that little stick down then and let’s see who’s right.”

For a moment, it looks like Orion is actually considering it. Which shocks me. It’s Draven fucking Ryat. Only the most suicidal of people would agree to fight him one-on-one.

But then Orion clicks his tongue and flicks a dismissive hand. “Maybe later.” But he does slip the dragon steel back into a pocket inside his shirt. Then he locks commanding eyes on us. “For now, I have a simple order for you.”

“And what’s that?”

“Keep your little ice lady in check.” His intense gaze locks on Isera where she is standing next to Jocasta across the room, being introduced to a group of people who all look very pleased to see her. Orion shifts his attention back to us, his tone sharpening. “I can’t have her challenge me like that in public.”

I use that as an excuse to make eye contact with Isera as well and give her an almost imperceptible nod. She doesn’t nod back, but she holds my gaze for another few seconds to signal that she saw it. Now, we just need to keep Orion distracted until she gets here.

On the couch opposite me, Draven smirks at Orion. “You mean throw a spear of ice at you and then blow you a kiss in front of an entire arena packed with people.”

Narrowing his eyes, he gives Draven a vicious look, not even bothering to reply.

“Then why not just tellherthat, then?” I ask, interrupting their staring contest.

Orion slides his gaze to me, but doesn’t reply to that either. Instead, he looks to Draven again. “Keep her in check, or I will vent my displeasure on your mate instead.”

Draven goes preternaturally still. Like the calm before a violent storm. Then he sits forward, closing some of the distance to Orion, and spreads his wings slightly.

“Threaten her one more time,” he growls, his voice low and vicious. “I fucking dare you.”

Orion’s eyes glint in challenge. “You?—”

“Enough.” I cast an exasperated glance between the two of them. “It’s fine. We’ll make sure she doesn’t humiliate you in public again.”

Red flushes Orion’s cheeks, and he snaps his gaze to me, looking stunned. “She didn’thumiliateme.” He practically spits out the words.

“Sorry, I meantchallengeyou.”

He grinds his teeth but doesn’t call me on the lie. I flick a quick glance towards Isera. She is trying to leave Jocasta and the group currently fawning over her, but they keep blocking her escape route while asking more questions. Her eyes find mine. I stifle a groan.Shit. I need to stall for time.

“Good,” Orion says with finality. He flicks his wrist. “Then you can leave?—”

“What was the partnership between fae and dragon shifters?” I blurt out, just to keep him talking. And, if I’m being honest, because I really want an answer too.

He frowns, looking confused for a second.

So I press on before he can dismiss us again. “Before the war, the fae and the dragon shifters apparently had some kind of mutually beneficial partnership. What was it?”

His frown deepens, and annoyance laces his tone as he replies, “How should I know?”

“You’re fae, aren’t you?” I retort, now equally confused.

“Unseeliefae.”

“So?”

“The dragon shifters only entered into partnerships with the Seelie fae.”

I blink. “Really?”

“Yes.” He looks between the two of us as if he can’t figure out if we’re taunting him or if we truly didn’t know. He appears to see the genuine surprise on our faces, because he lets out a forceful sigh and adds, “It’s the main issue that drove a rift between our courts.”

Raising my eyebrows, I stare back at him. “You wanted to be dragon riders too?”

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