Page 58 of Lord of the Hollow Court
“Well,” she said with a lazy smile, “if you’re going to behave, I suppose I can, too. Here. It wouldn’t do to arrive at your audience with Lady de Groot without your wedding ring, given it was the cause of your summons.”
Braam slipped the wedding band on quickly, then combed a hand back through his hair.The Court of Claws.He needed to get his wits about him, and fast. “How long before we arrive?”
Madeleif flicked her nails, nonchalant as ever. “A half hour at most.” She glanced at him, eyes softening. “Don’t worry, Braam. I’ll protect you from the worst of her wrath.”
Admittedly, running afoul of Fenna de Groot did not seem like such a brilliant idea now, knowing he was about to brighten her dark door. But the decision to make the Hollow Court undesirable to her had brought him his unusual bride. Something within him—something fierce and protective—told him it was not a mistake. For once, his impulsive nature had not led him astray.
Did Katty know he was gone, and have a guess as to where? Surely Misman had organized a search for him by now. For all Braam’s reckless behavior, his people would know he’d never skip his duties as Court’s Lord. In the meantime, he hoped Katty was able to take his place.
Maybe what his court—what all these stuffy old courts needed—was an infusion of new blood. Braam grimaced as he bent to retrieve his own boots, a reminder that the low fae stock could hardly worsen. There was a little magic in so many humans, after all. He’d even heard of courts where demi-fae were accepted, but they were so reclusive that he knew too little on the subject to fathom their complexities. Yet the passage of time called for change. There was nearly a new century upon them. Braam intended to greet it with his human bride beside him and, if the gods were kind, with a child of his own.
But first, he must deal with Fenna de Groot.
He rifled through these thoughts, wondering if any of them would make a convincing argument before the Court of Claws. Since they were mostly supposition, they were not terribly convincing. They could, however, buy him a little time.
Time for what?he wondered. Could his aching body weave together an enchantment subtle enough to avoid notice, yet potent enough to allow his escape? He searched his minds for spells—another subject he was deficient in.
As he watched the vineyards stretch by, the wilderness turned into orderly rows, an idea struck him at last. It wasn’t spells he needed. It wasglamours.And who better to cast them than the Lord of Hollow Court?
Madeleif plucked at the heavy curtains of the coach, smiling faintly. “Just think, Braam. This time tomorrow, we’ll be on our way to the coast, to the long boats that will bring us back to Lindendam. It’s beensolong since you visited last. Too long.”
Braam gazed back at her levelly, not replying.
“And after that”—a wicked grin split Madeleif’s pretty features, giving them ominous shadows—"the excitement will begin." She reached across the carriage to pat his knee. “We just have to get through all this nasty business with Fenna de Groot, and you’ll be on your way. The happiest exile that ever lived.”
Braam snorted. “Sounds thrilling.”
Madeleif tapped her chin. “I intend to make it so.” She reached for him again, squeezing his knee. “You’ll be so happy, Braam. I promise. Nobody will keep us apart again. Especially not Bakker.”
It was all too much. He hunched over his knees for several breaths.
“Do you even love me, Madeleif?” he demanded. “Did you ever?”
“Of course,” she said. But the flatness of her bright blue eyes held the truth of it. Perhaps she did love him—but only as much as Madeleif loved anyone. He’d had it right on Samhain.
He was just a toy to her, easily replaceable. She’d taken advantage of his poor esteem once, of the uncertainty he felt with his newly inherited court and the feelings of unworthiness that came with taking his father’s place. She’d used those feelings against him artfully—and he had let her, accepting whatever she did to him, however she treated him. Believing he deserved every bit of it, failing to notice when she was cruel. And now?
He neither deserved nor desired her.
The moment she lost control of him, she wanted him. Once she rid herself of Bakker, Braam would become what Madeleif had likely always wished for: a king she could manipulate like a marionette.
Braam had too little magic with which to defend himself. When he passed on to whatever awaited him after this life, he doubted his talented Golden Fae ancestors would even recognize him as one of their own. All he had at his disposal was a gift for casting glamours.And if that’s all I can muster—
Then this glamour had better be a damned good one,Braam thought, and began to plan.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
A Knock at the Door
As Katty woke, her body contorted in a luxurious stretch unimpeded by her soft and flowing fae nightgown. The way she had slept, it did not surprise her that the sky was black, the only color remaining in stubborn purple streaks of cloud. She had never rested this well in her life. Whatever fae lords had their mattresses stuffed with, it was far better than what millers could afford.
At that thought, Katty bolted upright, her teeth sinking into her lower lip.
“What is it?”
Katty yelped in surprise. Rineke was slumped in a stuffed chair in the corner, holding a tattered book. Her stained glass wings drooped over her shoulders. With her feet stretched out on a hassock and her expression somewhat bleary, she looked as though she had been sleeping rather than reading.
Katty breathed out a sigh. “I’m still not used to waking with anyone there.” She frowned. “Not this peacefully, that is.”
