Page 8 of Seduced By Darkness
Belladonna to darken his eyes, crushed pearl to brighten the inside of his lids, and powdered gold swept through his hair—it all plays its part and it’s common to see the likes of such powders among the Seelie courts. But it was the little vials with trapped Will-o’-the-wisps that made my breath catch.
The tiny demi-fey are spirits of light. Some of the poorer villages in Seelie use them for lighting—trapping them within lanterns, or bartering with them to exchange milk and honey for several hours of their assistance.
But it’s said that in Unseelie, the creatures there have discovered a darker use for them.
Their magics are small but if you can consume that magic, then the effect of it will brighten your skin and hair for a week. It’s a tiny surge to your powers, but they say it’s addictive and such magic has long been outlawed in Seelie.
I can see it in Etan now.
The natural warmth of his smile, the glow of his skin—it’s all a lie—and it’s used as bait in order to lure someone like me into his trap.
Hunger shadows his eyes as he stalks toward me. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before—or maybe I didn’t want to. I wanted to believe the sweet lies he whispered in my ears. I wanted to let every gentle kiss he bestowed upon me steal me away from the wretchedness of my life. I wanted the white knight, the handsome prince, and when Etan appeared, blinding in his gloriousness, I let myself overlook the shadows etching his soul. He was a dream I refused to examine too deeply, and maybe I own some share of the blame in what became of us.
Because I wanted that lie so desperately that I let myself overlook the warning signs.
“You left my aunt’s court so precipitously,” Etan says. “You didn’t even say goodbye.”
“I’m surprised you noticed.” I can’t stop the hint of acid from flavoring the words. “You seemed to be cock-deep in a sprite the last I saw of you.”
“Ah. You saw that.” He doesn’t look entirely surprised. “Can you blame me? You’d been playing games with me for months. A male has certain needs, Iskvien, and you were playing coy.”
“I was doing nothing of the sort!”
He scoffs. “What else am I to call it? You would barely kiss me, let alone slip into my bed—”
And to think I was going to gift this bastard my virginity. “I wasn’t sure if I could trust you—instincts that have served me well, in hindsight. I thought you were….”
“What?” Another step closer.
“Wooing me,” I snap. “I thought you were falling in love with me.”
Etan laughs. “Oh, Iskvien. What is love compared to the game?” His gaze sharpens, becomes a little cruel. “Your innocence was amusing then, but there’s only so long before a man grows bored.” He runs his tongue over his teeth. “I think I like this better. Now you know. Now you’re no longer looking at me as if I ought to cast my handkerchief at your feet and beg your favor.”
“No, I’m looking at you as if you’re an utter pig who isn’t fit to kiss the hem of my skirts.”
“Careful now, Princess.” Maybe it’s not Belladonna widening his pupils. Maybe it’s something worse, because the merest hint of my defiance unleashes a feral kind of hunger in his expression. “This spitfire attitude makes the chase interesting again but youwillrespect me.”
I don’t know what it is about him that makes me uncomfortable in that moment, but I take a half step back when he advances upon me.
I know how to use the dagger sheathed at my hip, and I’m safely within Asturia’s camp, but the makeshift streets are suspiciously empty for this time of day. Canvas flaps in the breeze, but I can’t even sight so much as a hob.
I’m alone.
“I hate you,” I say firmly. “I’m not interested in being chased. I don’t ever want to see you again. Remove yourself from these tents. You’re trespassing.”
He reaches out and tries to brush his finger down my cheek, an ugly smile dawning when I jerk back. “Then it is truly a shame that my aunt and your mother have reached an agreement.”
For a second, I’m not sure if I’ve heard him correctly. “What?”
“There’s to be a marriage to cement the alliance between our countries.” He captures my chin, pinching a little. “You’re mine, you frigid little bitch. I will have you on your knees. I will have you on your back. I will have you locked in a fucking cell if I so choose. Maybe I’ll even fuck you in front of my court—”
“Never!”
I strike his hand away, but the ache of his touch lingers in my skin.
“Go,” he mocks. “Run to your mother. Ask her if it’s true. My queen is signing the contracts today and once they’re signed you belong to me, Iskvien. Now and forever.” His gaze runs down my body. “Maybe you should wait for me tonight. I’ll find your tent and you can beg for my forgiveness.”
Heart pounding in my ears, I whip my dagger free and point it at him. “If you even take a single step within my tent, I’ll cut your heart out of your chest and give it to your queen in a box.”
