Page 41 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals
Holding open an arm, he gestures to the Dark Fae behind everyone. Covered in soot, grim and blood, the siblings look out, faces unreadable.
Except for the heir. He looks annoyed.
Arms crossed, eyes glaring at the king, he’s holding back the urge to snap. It’s simple to understand. Whereas the king was inside, hiding, the Dark Fae were outside, fighting for people who would surely not help them.
I was always taught the Dark Fae were selfish, deceitful beasts, but after watching them fight on the field—how I saw Serafina save a child who had been taken to be sold, Reid who cut down a line of raiders and the heir, who decimated their forces, I’m not sure that theory is true.
Maybe there is more to their kind than we’ve been led to believe.
“With the DarkFae, our lords and the strong men in armor, we fought back the Crimson Army. We stood up to their tyranny.”
The crowd cheers, but I don’t, exchanging a tired look with Tay. The boasting grates on my frazzled nerves and the thumping hearts threaten to break my control.
“We lost a lot of brave souls. Many guards laid down their lives for us to survive. To carry on. To fight back. They will not be forgotten. Please, hold up a glass.” He does so, the crowd following quietly. “And drink in their honor. We will also drink in the memory of LordAshton. A man who died defending the palace.” The king’s face is remorseful, sad.
Irritation hardens like a ball of lead in my chest. It’s all an act and it’s painting the king into something grotesque.
“We honor them.In Ger’s name.”
The urge to gulp down four wineglasses is strong, just to rid the taste of bitterness and blood from my tongue. Real heroes died outside, my friend almost among them, the king’s guards, and yet he’s using this as a moment to better his image.
Cutting to the left, my gaze locks with the heir’s. He knows my secret, killed a man for me.
Why? Was it a threat? A warning?
What does he get for appearing to help me—like me?
My body shudders as he scans my face, as if he can see the blood I cried, down to my hands that are still blemished red.
The heir knows too much and I feel exposed. Leaving the hall during the king’s next impassioned speech, I ignore his burning eyes and say a prayer to the Gods above to keep the heir away from me.
No matter how good he was earlier, nothing positive can come from his involvement.
Chapter 15
Kaden
In this maze of fear-drenched corridors, it’s easy to find her. Her scent, the alluring notes, pull me toward her destination. Trampling over scared servants, I battle my beast, lock him away into his cage and stop short, seeing her alone, face searching the grounds of an open window.
Inhaling, my beast purrs as I lean a shoulder on the wall behind her. She smells like danger and desire—like my salvation or my ruin. In the midst of battle, it was her scent—her blood, that called me back from the edge. It’s because of her, I was able to stay the Fae that I am.
My gums itch as the fangs beg to break through, my shadows flaring at my hands, as if to pull her toward me.Odd. I’ve never had to fight so hard to remain in control of my magic.
It’s always been harder to rouse, as if it slumbers deep inside, but with her? It wakes, eager and pliable.
It’s fuckingirritating.
Her silken strands tangle along her shoulders, her cheeks puffy from crying. Her fingers are stained red, as if sheplayed in the royal artists’ paints, but I know what it truly is.
Blood magic.She’s a powerful woman—magic is rare in our world with many thinking it a myth. I myself am the only Fae known to possess it. The Witch can heal but for this slight thing to hold the power of life within her hands?Gods.
“What do you want?” Her voice cracks, straining from the stress of the night. It reminds me a lover’s whisper, gone hoarse from rounds of glorious lovemaking.
It’s promises wrapped into bloody hands and bright blue eyes. My body shudders, yearning so great, I take a step forward only to stop short.
Fuck, this pull.Blazing fires above, it’s damning. Why am I so enamored by this woman? Does she only possess blood magic, or can she control others’ mind as well?
Glancing to her throat, the ragged scar hard to miss, I wouldn’t doubt she had more tricks up her sleeve. To survive such an attack shows her prowess.
