Page 64 of Seduced By Darkness
Edain actually fumbles the grape, catching it before it hits the ground.
Andraste and I share a look.
It’s rare that my mother makes a slip like that in front of us.
Edain stares at her flatly. “You want me to kill Lucere? With Thiago’s knife?”
There’s a certain sort of glee darkening her green eyes. “Why did I not think of this before?” she breathes. “It’s perfect.”
“It’s madness,” Edain counters. He pushes himself upright, tossing the grapes aside as he locks gazes with her. “Firstly, I would have to be able to even get close to the Prince of Evernight. His people are—”
“Not that good.” She whirls on him, and I can see her mind is made up. “Not as good as you when you want to be unseen.”
“Firstly, if Icouldget close to him, then he would already be dead and we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” he points out, and I wonder if he’s actually tried before. “Secondly, the laws of the queensmoot are sacrosanct. No murder. No bloodshed. Any disputes must be brought before the alliance and the Council of Queens. If I am caught—fuck, if I actually kill the girl—then this doesn’t just threaten the alliance, it shatters it. There will never be another queensmoot again.” He holds up a finger when she moves to protest. “No, Adaia.”
My mother leans forward, resting both hands on the daybed as she stares into his face. “What did you just say?”
“No,” he repeats, loudly and firmly.
I don’t dare move. I don’t even dare breathe. Nobody tells her no, but Edain…. The way he’s looking at her….
“Get out,” she whispers, not bothering to look at us. “Both of you. I can see my little pet needs some convincing.”
Edain’s eyes smolder. He hates that nickname.
Andraste and I share a look.
I don’t hesitate. I bolt for the tent opening.
Someone is going to die.
And the choices are: Lucere. Or Edain.
* * *
I haveto see Thiago and I have to see him now.
It’s no longer a matter of demanding to know what he meant by the Mistmere play—it’s no longer important. Etan’s the threat looming at my throat. And then there’s Lucere, a princess with no idea what is even coming her way.
Mother will convince Edain to take a tilt at her. I’m certain of it. The Queen of Asturia doesn’t know what “no” means.
I have to stop this.
I have to stop Edain from getting close to Thiago and seeing war blow up in our faces.
And I owe Thiago a promise. I gave him my word that I would marry him if he gave my mother Mistmere.
It’s all coming at me with the speed of a runaway carriage and I stuff my things into a bag, before grabbing my cloak and turning toward the door of the tent.
Too late. Andraste stands there, her gaze raking over the cloak, the knife and my dress. She draws her own conclusions. “Where are you going?”
“This is the last night of the queensmoot. I thought we were supposed to celebrate?”
She captures my wrist, searching my face. “Vi?”
“What if I told you there was a way I could… escape Etan?” I don’t even know why I’m confiding in her, except for the fact that she’s been kinder to me these past three days than she’s been in years.
“I would say that you’re a fool,” she says gently. “Mother will never let you break the marriage contract.”
