Page 21 of Wrath of the Fae Queen
I take a long drink of the rich wine, noticing how Dante poured water for himself, then descend on the food. The flavors are hearty, rich with herbs and acidity, and the texture is velvety. I find myself enjoying it despite the company. Keira moans with satisfaction, directing me on what to try next.
I glance across to the next trestle over, where Nico and Ada talk with their heads bent and glares pointed at me.
Their shapes have transformed to more human features.Nico’s long claws have retracted somewhat, and his face is now smooth flesh with gaunt, high cheeks, thin lips and silver eyes. That distinctive bony skull of his Nightmare form is now smaller and raised upon his head like an ornament.
Ada still wears her black leathery wings, and the barbed tail lashes behind her, but the rest of her looks almost high fae. She has ebony skin, large, bright yellow eyes with long lashes, and curls of black hair threaded with gold. Her neck is still long and slender, but it is nothing like the exaggerated, spiked version of her Nightmare form that made her look almost reptilian.
She is pretty, when she is not trying to kill you,Keira says.
Classic example of how looks can be deceiving,I grunt.
Oh, look, Aldrin! They are bringing out desserts!she almost squeals, and it brings me joy that she can use me to leave her own situation so thoroughly. That despite the distance, we are still so deeply connected she can taste my food if she chooses to.
I turn to Dante, who is busy shoveling noodles into his mouth at such a rate, I’m surprised he doesn’t choke. Like a man who has known true poverty and starvation, and appreciates every meal put before him. Each time he opens his mouth, massive canines flash. Paired with the thick, curling horns that erupt from his head and the blue tinge to his skin, he looks truly devilish.
“Those poisons that were gifted in my trial—when…how…what is the plan for them?” I stammer out. By the Soul Ripper itself, I don’t want to purposely poison myself.
Dante tips his head to the side. “I think you already know. We use these poisons on the tips of our blades and infuse them into our magic. Think if you could summon toxic vines that could kill a fae with a touch. Such abilities come with a cost. We must take small doses of the toxins, drugs and hallucinogens regularly to build an immunity. It doesn’t mean our own poisoned blades couldn’t kill us, but it would slow the effects and allow the extremely ineffective anti-toxins to work. Without doing this, infusing the toxins into our magic would also kill us.”
I grab my cup of wine, about to drain it, then freeze as the metal hits my lips. “You haven’t spikedthiswine, have you? Is that why you aren’t drinking it?”
“I don’t drink anything with alcohol in it,” he says. “And that wine isn’t poisoned.”
I glance over all the food I just consumed. “Are you planning to warn me before drugging or poisoning me?”
He rocks his head from side to side. “As your guide, it is up to me to plan how you take your doses, until you are ready todo it yourself. We could measure it out together and add it to your wine right before you take to your bed, so you can sleep off the effects…or I could drug you at any time, when you least suspect it, to test how you handle being in a dangerous situation and getting yourself to safety while out of your mind. I haven’t made my mind up yet, though I did enjoy watching you battle imaginary beasts in your first trial.” He throws his head back and laughs.
“Ass,” I mutter, drinking more wine, because I definitely need it.
Aldrin!Keira chides.Don’t antagonize the man!
“It depends on how merciful I am feeling,” Dante adds. “So I suggest you are very, very kind to me.”
I will not grovel,I grumble to Keira.
Huge, clawed hands slam down on the table opposite me, making the wine splash out of my cup and the glass bowls holding desserts filled with creams and custards clang together. I run my eyes up those thick arms of gnarled flesh and exposed bone, to the spikes jutting out of the elbows, to the gaunt face transforming into an exposed skull.
“What can I do for you, Nico? Did you not get enough of a beating in the tunnels today?” I mock him to hide my vulnerability.
Careful, Aldrin.Keira’s voice shakes and I have to block out the fear radiating from her in waves.
“Ah, he’s a funny man.” Nico turns over his shoulder to where Ada waits, almost taking out a passing high fae with his branching antlers. “Did you know he is a funny man, Ada?”
A cruel smile curls her lips. “I want to see if he can put his money where his mouth is.” She leans across the table, takes my cup of wine and drains it. “Dante, you disappoint me. You gave him the weak stuff.” She tsks. “Where are the psychedelic agents?”
I watch them closely, my magic at the ready in case they attack. I will not be a victim here.
Nico gives her an impatient flick of his head. “We want to invite you to a card game. Give us another chance to beat you. Ada’s ego is smarting. She hasn’t taken a beating like that in a while.”
“My ego! You were practically crying about your pretty complexion being ruined!” she roars, then goes on to explain, “He is still too injured and can’t fully change forms yet, stuck in his Nightmare.”
Nico’s claws grow longer, cutting grooves into the table as the fire of his eyes burns at her. “I amtryingto be civil here.” He turns back to me. “You hurt my dog, Fluffy, and that was not okay.”
“Do you mean the dread hound that almost tore my throat out?” I shudder, remembering the snapping jaws of that obsidian beast.
“Yes. Fluffy.”
“Heattackedme!” I can’t help my incredulous tone.
