Page 87 of Court of Lies and Deceit

“Of course we did.” Deep resentment laces his tone. “Both the Seelie fae and the dragon shifters became incredibly powerful when they formed those partnerships, so we naturally wanted it too.” He shoots me a sharp glare. “But you refused to tell us and guarded that secret fiercely.” His gaze slides to Draven. “And the dragon shifters didn’t want to bond with us on their own because they didn’t trust us.”

Draven scoffs. “I wonder why.”

A considering look blows across Orion’s face. “Don’t you know how it’s done? You’re a dragon shifter.”

“No,” Draven admits, somewhat reluctantly. “We were also only taught that the fae forced us and enslaved us.”

Orion lets out a short chuckle and then clicks his tongue again. “Ah, changing history. Smart.”

Frustration washes over me. The Unseelie Court doesn’t know either. It’s looking more and more like the only ones who are old enough to still know the truth are the dryads. But how in Mabona’s name are we going to persuade them to help us?

Orion suddenly sits up straight and snaps his gaze to something straight ahead. It yanks me back to the present. Turning my head, I find a stunning Seelie fae woman with longblack hair and sharp blue and silver eyes striding towards us. Isera.

A small smile steals across my lips as I glance between her and Orion.

This is going to be fun.

CHAPTER THIRTY

The air practically crackles with tension as Isera saunters over to the royal blue sofas we’re occupying. Her hips are swaying more than I have ever seen since the day I met her, and there is a knowing smirk on her lips as she locks eyes with the Unseelie King. Orion narrows his eyes at her.

“You have not been summoned, little viper,” he says, his voice laced with both authority and threats.

Isera arches an eyebrow while the smirk on her lips widens. “Do I look like someone who is summoned?”

“No.” He rakes his gaze up and down her body, and his eyes glint. “Which is why it will be so much more satisfying when I finally make you submit to me.”

“You couldn’t make me submit to you even if you spent the rest of eternity trying.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“No. That was a fact. The ice spear was a challenge.”

A dangerous expression flickers across his handsome features for a second as he no doubt relives the memory of the ice spear that Isera threw at him in front of the entire arena. But to my surprise, he doesn’t look angry. He looks more… intrigued. As if he enjoys playing these dangerous games.

“And the kiss you blew me?” he asks, his intense eyes locked on Isera as she closes the final distance to him.

“Oh, that?” She stops right in front of him, standing between his spread legs. That sharp smirk remains on her lips as she casts a pointed glance down at his crotch before meeting his eyes again. “That was a threat.”

His eyes glint, and he shoves to his feet. Isera just places a hand on his chest, pushing him back down. And because she is already standing in the exact same spot that Orion would need in order to get to his feet, he’s off balance when he tries to stand, and the shove makes him sit back down hard on the cushions again.

A sharp intake of breath comes from my left. I snap my gaze towards the sound, finding a group of Unseelie fae watching the unfolding events with rapt interest. The thick blue drapes, which frame the sides and back of this private seating area, are still open at the front, leaving us all visible to the rest of the room.

My gaze flits to the Unseelie King, who seems to realize the same thing. Reaching behind him, he pulls on a golden rope. The dark blue drapes at the front flutter closed, leaving only the glittering faelight gems mounted on gold candle holders next to the sofas to light the space.

In the dim light, Draven and I exchange a glance. He gives me a nod before casting a distinctively impressed look in Isera’s direction. We discussed this plan before we left the house, but neither of us was certain if Isera would actually be able to do what she said. Looks like we were wrong to doubt her.

During those few seconds when Orion is distracted with pulling the curtains shut, Isera presses her advantage. In one fluid motion, she climbs up so that she is straddling Orion’s lap. He whips his head back to stare at her, the rope still dangling behind him, as she slides her hands over his shoulders and interlinks them behind his neck.

For a moment, it’s as if Orion can’t process what is happening. He just sits there, staring at her with stunned eyes. Isera uses that moment well.

Leaning forward, she brings her lips almost all the way to his, stopping only a breath away. “This is what you want, isn’t it?”

He sucks in a sharp breath.

Isera smirks against his mouth and then abruptly pulls back again. “Too bad you can’t have me.”

Emotions flash in his eyes, and I can’t tell if he’s angry or embarrassed or turned on. Lifting his arms, he grips her bare waist with both hands as he grinds out, “I am the king. I can have whatever I want. I can do whatever I want. Especially with my prisoners.”

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