Page 26 of Cruelest Kiss and Fairest Blood
“I didn’t say that.”
She peers up at me expectantly. The royal blue of the dress she’s wearing reflects in her unnaturally light irises, giving them a deeper blue appearance than normal. She is too beautiful and special for this realm. She does not belong in the mortal world.
Giving her a look into her future might not be a bad idea. I may not have figured out how I’m going to make Lenore mine forever, but I will.
Sitting up, I snap my fingers. The sound is sharp, the crack echoing through the woods surrounding our clearing. Within moments, a large raven glides into view, landing beside me. Lenore’s pack of animals are on their feet the moment Mytha arrives. Many scamper away or fly off. They know this new visitor is no animal.
“You control the ravens? That’s impressive, but hardly supernatural.” Her eyebrow rises to a perfect arch.
“Mytha. Please introduce yourself. Your real self.”
Lenore looks to me and then back to the raven. Mytha shifts into her Serpien form and Lenore’s mouth drops open.
“Princesss.” Mytha’s emerald, snake-like lower half winds around her as she bows. Her human upper half is unclothed, but her long auburn hair keeps her chest hidden.
“The raven is a snake.” Lenore’s stare is still fixed on Mytha.
Mytha’s tongue flicks out in irritation. “I am no sssnake.”
“Mytha is a Serpien. The Serpien people are born in the Underworld.”
Lenore studies her before speaking. “You’re quite lovely. If not a bit off-putting.” Mytha releases a low hiss and Lenore quickly clarifies. “It’s not a bad thing. People often say the same about me. They think I’m odd. I get away with it because they also think I’m beautiful.” She sighs deeply. “It’s amazing the things people will overlook in the name of impressing someone attractive.”
“Including their responsibilitiesss.” She cuts her glowing gaze my way.
“You really are beautiful. I won’t say odd. That word is a barely veiled insult. I’ll say unique.”
Mytha appears less than moved. She responds dryly, “How kind.”
“Lenore desired proof of who I am,” I explain when Mytha’s questioning gaze moves to me.
“Ssso you dragged me above to ssshow her? Well, if she’sss not sssatisfied, you can prove it to her by returning home. There isss a disturbance under the mountain. I wasss on my way to invessstigate when you sssumoned me.”
Lenore
Harrow’s posture shifts in an instant. “My amulet has not alerted me to trouble.”
“Maybe you’re too far away. There isss no missstaking it down below.”
Harrow looks to me, a torn expression overtaking his striking features.
“Go,” I encourage, rising to my feet. “You said it’s important to be there when things go wrong.”
Harrow drags a hand through his fair hair and stands as well. “I’ll come back as soon as I can.”
He takes a step toward me. The action makes my pulse quicken. I think for a moment that he’s going to touch me or kiss me maybe. My heart sinks a little when he turns away. Harrow strides another twenty paces before halting.
A full circle of grass withers. The dead patch darkens as a swirl of black forms at its center. I jump as Mytha abruptly changes into a raven again. She dives into the hole immediately and vanishes. Harrow is next. He moves one foot over the threshold, halting for the smallest of beats, and then drops out of sight.
The moment his white hair passes through, the circle vanishes. Dry brown grass is the only evidence that something strange has happened.
Holy shit.
Unless I’ve totally lost it, which is a distinct possibility, Harrow really is the Ruler of the Underworld. Where else could he have gone?
The meadow has cleared out. Apparently my animals prefer not to be near when a black hole into hell opens up.I guess that’s my cue to head back.
I’m nearly to the courtyard doors when Cassius emerges, a wicker basket balanced in the crook of his elbow. The scowl on his handsome face turns upward when he spots me.
