Page 20 of A Dagger of Ice and Intrigue
I could swear there was a hint of fear in his eyes as he tracked Evie’s approach, likehewas terrified ofher.
Or what she represented.
I frowned, ignoring the restlessness flowing through my veins, and watched Evie.
Sweet, scared Evie, who stopped at the altar, next to Fabrian, like she was getting ready to be slaughtered.
The priest began to recite nonsense about the moon and stars and blessed unions.
I didn’t listen. I focused on Evie.
The way her fingers held onto the bouquet as if she could wring her nerves into the crisp leaves and the plump roses.
How her shoulders tensed like she was being ambushed.
The little puffs of air swaying her veil. It could conceal her face, but not her emotions, not fully.
My power swelled inside my veins, a warning I couldn’t–and wouldn’t–ignore.
My gaze slashed toward my family.
They could see it, too.
The fear radiating off her.
My father’s grimace had reached depths I’d never seen.
Uncle Maksim was gripping his chair as if he was ready to splinter it and use the shards to enact justice.
My cousins exchanged deadly glares.
Only Silas looked on with a dispassionate stare, already half-dozing off.
I was right–she didn’t want to marry Fabrian.
“Should anyone oppose this union,” the priest went on, oblivious that the bride almost vibrated with angst, no matter how hard she tried to hide it. “Then–”
My hand shot out toward Evie’s neck.
Before she or my family had a chance to protest, my fingers touched her pulse point.
Her heart was beating out of control, like a trapped bird hitting my palm.
These weren’t nerves.
This was pure dread, rushing through my sweet Evie’s veins.
She jerked away from my touch, but it was too late.
Nothing and no one could stop me now.
“I knew it,” I whispered.
“It’s just wedding jitters,” Evie tried to trill, but her voice was choked with tears.
I locked eyes with Uncle Maksim, ignoring my father’s deathly stare, and twisted my fingers into an urgent message.
Lock the port. Now.
