Page 45 of Trial of Thorns
The door to the terrace opens, music growing louder and then muting again. I spin to face Drake, his long golden hair draped over his shoulders.
“Why hello there,” he says sweetly, eyes darting between the both of us. My stomach sinks, though I’m secretly grateful he didn’t come out only a moment earlier when he would have seen my bright eyes.
“Who is this lovely creature?” he asks, head tilting to the side innocently.
Oh, hell no. My fingers tighten into a fist as Raven ducks her head and shifts behind me.
“We’ve just met,” I say, eyes pinned to his harshly. Territorial. She’s prey, that’s the act I’ll put on for him. “She is quite lovely, isn’t she?” I puff my chest out.
“What’s her name?” he asks.
“Rael,” I answer quickly.
His harsh eyes turn back to me and he smiles, exposing sharp canines. My expression turns darker.You want to fight me for her? I’m willing. Try to take me. My chest heaves up and down with menace. I hold back a literal snarl.
Drake chuckles and waves dismissively. “Take your prize. Humans aren’t my cup of tea.”
My shoulders relax as he sits on the stone near the shadow tree, but I will not drop my guard entirely. “You on the other hand...” He purses his lips. “You are quite interesting.”
I sneer at him.
“Relax, I’m not a threat.” He winks. “Not right now.”
Important distinction. I resist the urge to roll my eyes, remembering I may be inclined to align with him at some point. At the very least, being his enemy is a step in the wrong direction.
The music in the hall grows louder again, and I blink as a new form joins us on the terrace.
“Making new enemies, Drake?” a dark skinned fae female in a purple gown says.
“I hope not,” he says, clicking his lounge, examining me. “That was not my intention.”
I narrow my eyes.
“Good, because we are always in the market for new allies.” Kari’s purple eyes turn to me, considering. “We only take those that make us stronger, though.” She shrugs, like it is all hypothetical.
Is she making fun of me for my weakness? Or inviting me to prove myself?
Raven grips my waist with tight fingers, and I pull in a long breath, breaking my concentration. “As fascinating as this conversation is, you’ve interrupted something... personal.” I smile, savage and cruel.
Kari’s eyebrows raise, her attention skirting to the figure behind me. “My apologies. Oh my, I love her dress!”
I’m taken aback by the honesty in her tone at that compliment, but I shake it off and pull Raven through the trees behind the estate.
Behind us, I hear Drake chuckle. “I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised she has a taste for humans.”
