Page 37 of Thief of Souls
I can’t help myself.
I take the bow and arrow from her hands.
And then I smile at her. “Indeed, let’s make this a little more challenging. Let’s see ifyouare faster than the serving girl.”
Every head in the vicinity tracks toward me. The other ladies look delighted. Some whisper behind their hands, and I can see they think me jealous of Keir’s attentions toward Rhea.
“You wouldn’t dare,” she snaps, backing away from me.
“What’s wrong?” I set the arrow to the bow. “Do you prefer to pick and choose your own partners? Would you perhaps desire a prince? Would you try tostealhim?”
Jealousy is a lovely little motive to hide behind.
And maybe there’s a little bit of truth in it.
“Run,” I suggest. “Run fast.”
Rhea takes off with a squeal, shoving her way through the horde of silk.
“Doesn’t she make a fine rabbit?” I ask the woman beside me as I draw the bow back. If I hit her, then I’m virtually declaring war on the Court of Whispers. “Let’s make her think I have her measure. Where shall I aim? That tree in front of her?”
“Right in the back,” the woman replies with a malicious smile.
I loose the arrow, and it hits the tree right in front of Rhea. She squeals as she darts to avoid the puff of pretty pink powder that explodes into the air.
I lower the bow. “While I would love to send that smirking little wretch to her knees, I think a warning sufficient for the moment. But perhaps you would care to do the honors?”
With a wink, I pass the bow to my crestfallen partner.
It breaks up the gaggle of predatory women. They’re no longer focusing on the servants, and the servants—with some relief—are slipping away while they’re no longer visible to the gathering.
I laugh with several of the ladies who think my ruse was amusing to watch. They’ll turn on me in an instant. But for now I’ve won entrance into their little group, which was an unexpected advantage.
And as I watch the serving maid, I see the moment where she staggers against the hedge, feeling overcome with rapture.
Slipping out of the group of fae women as refreshments are brought, I pass behind a tree and vanish, reappearing at the girl’s side where I capture her in my arms.
She looks at me in a mixture of glazed shock and hunger. Even the simple act of my hands on her skin have set off the rapture coursing through her veins.
“Let’s get you back to your rooms,” I murmur.
“No, please, my lady. I don’t….”
I understand. She thinks I intend to overwhelm her. “You’re safe,” I whisper. “You need to sleep it off. I’ll get you out of here.”
I hate the fright in her eyes, but this one time, I have been able to use my power for good.
Even if it makes me a powerful enemy.
* * *
By the timeI’ve set the little maid in her bed and returned to the gathering on the lawn, the bows and arrows have vanished and the men have returned. There’s no sign of Keir. Perhaps he’s cleaning up after the hunt.
A blur of darkness captures my attention.
The Lord of Mistmark slips away from the party as if he’s heading toward the castle to refresh himself—but halfway there, he takes a sidestep and vanishes into the maze.
“Excuse me,” I say to a princess who’s trying to insult me. I think she’s one of Rhea’s friends. “I have to… fix my hair.”
