Page 57 of Seduced By Darkness
I swear, I could just about wring his neck myself.
The collar gives way, and Finn shoves forward, scrambling out the cage. He takes a step and winces. “Bastard shot me with an arrow when he took me down. It’s nearly healed, but it might take the edge off me.”
I cross my arms. “Icouldhelp you.”
“Could?”
“Only if you promise not to ask me any more questions about kissing. We still have to escape this quadrant of the camp without being seen, and return you to your prince.”
“Oh, princess.” Finn stretches his arms behind his back, his spine cracking. “That’s the easy part. I’ve had loads of experience in escaping traps. The hard part comes when your mother realizes I’m gone and starts to wonder how I managed it.” He shoots me a brilliant smile as I slip under his shoulder. “And I promise on my life that I won’t ask you any more questions about my prince. I already know the answers, and I can’twaitto see what Eris thinks of you.”
9
Thiago
“Let us start,” Adaia purrs, as she crosses one long smooth leg over the other, her golden metallic skirts falling apart to reveal the slit. “I have something you want. Now I want to know how much you want it back.”
I stare at her and I can see Vi’s bruises again. And the way she tried to hide them.
And I know what that little smirk is telling me about Finn’s condition.
Everything within me yearns to wipe it from Adaia’s face, but we’re playing at diplomacy now, and Lucidia is watching.
The ancient queen of Ravenal is the only true neutral vote on the Seelie Alliance. Kyrian sides with me and Maren most commonly with Adaia.
It is to her that we bring this dispute.
“I’m sure you do,” I murmur, “but Evernight has neither proof of Finn’s life or condition, and before we begin, I intend to have it.”
“I give you my word,” Adaia states. “He is alive and he is well.”
This time it’s my turn to smile. “You think I would ever believe you at your word?”
“Adaia speaks the truth,” Lucidia confirms. “I was brought to see your man not one-hour past. He is in reasonable condition and alive.”
Reasonable fucking condition. I know what that means.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Lucidia chides.
“I want to know if he’s been tortured.” The muscle in my jaw twitches.
“He is alive,” Adaia snaps and that is all that matters.
Lucidia arches a brow toward her. “I’ve seen no signs of torture, though I do believe a whip was used upon him.”
A whip. I am going to kill this bitch with my own fucking hands. One day.
Take her apart piece by piece, whispers Ruin.
Break every bone in her body, says Wrath.Her screams would be music.
Of all the Darkyn souls I’ve consumed, he’s the most violent.
I lean forward in my chair. “Then why don’t we see—?”
Eris’s hand comes to rest upon my shoulder. “A word?” she whispers.
This is the worst possible time for it, but I cut her a look. She wouldn’t make this demand unless there was something important she needed to tell me. She knows how much Finn’s life rests on a knife edge.
