Page 23 of The Coven of Ruin
Prince Roan left the dais with a rare and genuine smile. Ares stepped to the side, allowing her a better view of what was happening. Trista hadn’t even realized there was a fourth member in the group. Embracing, the two princes patted each other heartily on the back.
“I’m sorry I didn’t send word ahead,” the Iron Prince said. “We ran into trouble on the road and thought we would be delayed much longer. Luckily, I have good horses and even better mages by my side.”
Demurielle leaned into her, beckoning for Zyana to do the same on her other side. “The Iron Coven has one of the most strenuous relationships with us. Notice how they call him a prince? They have their own Witch King and several smaller covens underneath them. My father told me once that they were building an army.”
“I’ve heard that before too. If their army is half as huge as those witchmen he brought with him…” Zyana trailed off, not needing to finish the thought.
Trista just nodded absently. She couldn’t tell them who Ares really was or that she suspected the two men with him were also gods.
The Witch King took control of the situation again, announcing The Iron Prince by his title. The atmosphere of the dining hall had changed, a thick tension lingering.
Why was Ares with the Iron Prince? Why was he here at all? It was maddening, not understanding.
“Let’s try this,” the Witch King said, “though we are many different and great covens, united is where our strength lies. Stand up.” He raised his arms as he said it. There were grumbled remarks of confusion as covens started to rise from their seats.
“Now, merge. Most of you danced with each other and didn’t even know it just last night. Let us dine together properly.” He brought his hands together to show his meaning.
“I am not sitting anywhere without you two,” Zyana insisted.
Demurielle put her hand in hers. “Of course you’re not.”
Zyana’s gaze traveled to their interlocked fingers, but she didn’t pull away. They led the way, moving toward another table that The Moon Coven had previously occupied. But a grip on her elbow pulled her to a stop after only a couple of steps.
She knew who it was immediately.
“Where are we sitting,” Ares asked in a way that seemed like a threat.
Demurielle had been so single-minded in leading them to a new spot that she hadn’t realized the addition of the Iron Prince, Ares, and the two other beings. “We will sit here,” her friend declared happily.
Ares stepped on the other side so that most of the hall was in front of him. Guiding her to a seat beside him and across from her friends, he finally released her arm. The Iron Prince was pulled to the side by a mage she didn’t recognize, leaving only the three gods to sit at the table.
Zyana eyed them suspiciously. “You are warriors,” she stated.
“We are,” the leaner god next to Ares said with a smirk. His slate-colored gaze did a quick survey of her two friends.
“Are you part of the army that The Iron Coven is raising to fight against the capital?”
“Zyana,” Demurielle hissed.
Ares flicked his eyes up at them, then over at the other god.
“Sounds like a rumor that has been twisted across seas and mountains, if I say so myself.”
“Much better,” the Witch King’s voice boomed out, interrupting any response Zyana had. “Now, let us dine together.”
Moving her arms off the table, she realized that Ares still had his resting on the surface. She placed her hand on his forearm. “The meal will magick here,” she muttered to him.
He slid his arms off with an unreadable expression a second before the food appeared.
Groaning to herself, she found she had no appetite for the feast in front of her.
Chapter XI
“So,whatareyournames,” Demurielle asked moments later, ever the conversationalist.
The Iron Prince had been whisked away to sit with Prince Roan and the Witch King. The lean god in the middle was sniffing the contents of a goblet, his expression a mixture of curiosity and aversion. Whereas the larger one sat with his heavy arms crossed over his broad chest, intently watching the Iron Prince.
“I’m Demurielle from The Coven of Sun and Gold,” her jovial friend offered. “And this is Zyana from The Coven of Mountain and Moss. You know, the coven known for their warriors. And this—”
