Page 61 of Thief of Souls
“Early?” Falion looks at her sharply, as if she just tossed an explosive spell into the middle of all his carefully laid plans. “What do you mean by early?”
“Now.” Belladonna doesn’t bother to hide her dislike of him.
This presents a conundrum.
Am I Team: Belladonna? Or Team: Falion?
I could also be convinced by a fairly weak argument to join Team: Sword Match To The Death between the pair of them, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s some serious silent challenges as to that affect being thrown between them.
“I need to change into my riding leathers,” I say, pushing to my feet. I shoot Keir a warning glance. “Saddle my horse for me?”
That ought to keep him busy.
He looks amused.
Until Belladonna links arms with me. “I’ll escort you back to the court. I need to get rid of these shoes.”
“Of course.” Just what I want. Another moment alone with Her Iciness.
“Just make sure you return her,” Keir tells the Blood Lily, and if I thought she and Falion were preparing to throw down their gauntlets, I’m fairly certain he just took it to another level because Belladonna squares her shoulders like she’s facing an entire cavalry by herself.
“Wouldn’t dream of doing anything else,” she purrs.
And then she hauls me toward the house, with Anissa scurrying along on our heels.
“Enjoying yourself?” Belladonna whispers as we cross the lawn.
“The best part was when you showed up,” I admit. “I get the feeling you’re not overly fond of Falion.”
Interestingly enough, her cheeks turn red.
“If you think your precious prince will save you,” she hisses, “then you should think again.”
I grab her wrist. “I don’t think Keir will save me.”
“No?” There are dark shadows beneath her eyes. “You think I’m fool enough to imagine last night was happenstance?”
“Lastnight?”
Belladonna leans closer. “Tell him to keep his filthy claws out of my dreams, and I won’t have to strike back. Now do what I asked. Kill Mistmark and we won’t have a problem.”
She stalks away.
Anissa gives me a pained smile. “It’s the wedding. She’s on edge.”
I rub at the knotted curse suddenly writhing in the center of my chest. “You have terrible taste in friends.”
Anissa gives a sad little shrug. “I know. But someone has to be there for the Evil Queen. She’s not all bad.”
Horns suddenly echo through the air.
Dogs go wild in the distance.
I shake my head. “A rousing endorsement.” I see Belladonna shoot one last vicious glance over her shoulder. “I think you’re being summoned.”
Anissa flees after her mistress as though she doesn’t want to be punished by lingering.
I decide to test the theory that Keir can hear me. “What. Did. You.Do?” I growl in his direction.
