“Stop it,” I mouthed more to myself than Lyklor.
“Come closer,” Albedo ordered. “Sit next to your sister.”
Oh, yes. Come to me, Princeling. Share my heat.
Ugh. I swear I had my very own little red-horned Mel temptress whispering in my left ear.
Lyklor stalked toward me, a wicked smile covering his face. “Albedo was right. You do look ravishing, Sister.”
I glared at him, which made him smile bigger.
Lyklor reached his chair but didn’t sit, his gaze running down me. “Being surrounded by all males must be difficult.”
If he wanted Albedo and Malon to believe there was friction between us, he was doing a bang-up job. I wanted to smack the smirk off his lips. An idea popped into my head on how to handle his taunt.
I smoothed my hair over my shoulders and pressed my back into my seat, lifting my chest. “Not at all,” I purred. “I looooove being around all this testosterone.” Lyklor’s smile faded, which emboldened me. “I’m already looking forward to tonight.” I turned away from Lyklor, aiming my smile at Albedo. “Will you send one of your handsome guards to my chamber later, Cousin?”
Albedo merely nodded. “Of course. Which one?”
“Doesn’t matter. If he doesn’t please me, I’ll exchange him.”
“Are we eating soon?” Malon demanded moodily.
Albedo turned in his seat and snapped his fingers at a footman standing against the wall like a statue.
“Where is dinner?” Albedo demanded.
“It is coming, sir,” the footman answered, not making eye contact.
“Sir?” Albedo challenged, his voice rising.
“Your Majesty,” the footman quickly amended.
Albedo narrowed his eyes.
“I will go and check.” The footman made a hasty retreat.
During their exchange, Lyklor slipped into the seat beside me. Without meaning to, I shifted, causing my left leg to slip free of the slit, which opened the silk skirt from my hip to my ankle. Lyklor stared down with hooded eyes, his lips parting slightly.
I sucked in a breath as my skin tingled beneath his gaze.
“Stop looking at your sister that way. It’s making me sick,” Malon said.
Lyklor and I both jerked upright in our seats. My face heated with embarrassment and rage.
“Malon,” Albedo warned.
“What? Look under the table, and I bet you’ll see his fingers inside her.”
“You little—” I started to say as Lyklor shot out of his seat.
“I’m going to burn that nasty tongue of yours with hot wax,” Lyklor bellowed, rounding the table. He snatched the candelabra and stormed toward Malon, flames dancing in his cold eyes.
“Stop!” Albedo yelled, but Lyklor continued his advance.
Malon was already on his feet. He lifted his chair and grasped it in front of him. Lyklor held the flames at the wooden legs. Malon shoved them into Lyklor’s chest, sending him sprawling backward. The moment Lyklor regained his balance, he started back toward Malon.
“Stop!” Albedo yelled again.
Malon threw the chair at Lyklor, who ducked just in time. Eyes widening, Malon sprinted to Albedo, putting his brother between him and Lyklor.
Albedo spread his arms wide, blocking Malon as Lyklor advanced with the candelabra. “Stop this right now unless you prefer my guards make you stop.”
Lyklor’s lips curled back. His pupils pinged back and forth between Albedo and Malon and his body shook, but he held his ground. With a growl, he smashed the candelabra onto the floor. The brass clanged and the flames went out, sending up thin trails of smoke.
The footmen entered with trays of covered food as the last smoky wisp faded.
“Everyone sit down. It’s time to eat,” Albedo commanded.
“You expect me to eat with these two animals?” I demanded, glaring at both Malon and Lyklor. In that moment, I was channeling my inner Teryani rather than Sarfina.
“I apologize for any disrespect, Cousin,” Albedo said, smoothing his hand across his chest. “They are not as refined as you and I.”
“They’re beyond hope,” I answered curtly.
“You’ll just have to set a good example for them.” Albedo looked at the footmen and pointed at his empty plate.
I crossed my ankles, one foot tapping incessantly against the floor, while glowering into my plate. If I looked at Malon, I wasn’t sure I would be able to control myself. I hadn’t realized it was possible to hate him more than I already did.
I was pissed at Lyklor, too. Angry that the sound of his voice made my thighs ache to part and allow his fingers to gain entry—the very thing Malon had crudely suggested. All of Lyklor’s goading felt thick with longing. He wasn’t simply taunting me. He was drawn to the flame. He wanted the fire. He wanted . . . me.
I grabbed the nearest pewter goblet, lifted it to my lips, and swallowed hard. My nose wrinkled as the full-bodied red wine coated my throat.
As with breakfast, Malon was served after Albedo, followed by me, then Lyklor, whom I still couldn’t look at.
When a footman bent beside Albedo to pour more wine into his glass, Albedo whispered into his ear.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The footman handed the carafe to one of his colleagues and left the dining room.
I watched his retreat warily, sawing tiny bits of steak with my knife and fork before popping the pieces into my mouth and swallowing them down after a couple of hurried chews. I spent dinner sitting on the edge of my seat, hunched over my plate.
Albedo set his cutlery down at the end and stood. “Come, Brother. Come, Cousins. Have a drink with me in the parlor. I want a chance for us all to clear the air.”
My heart plummeted into my stomach. The last thing I wanted was to spend more time with any of these males. All I could do is nod miserably and follow Albedo to the parlor as Malon and Lyklor trailed me.
The furniture had been turned upright and the floors swept clean of debris. Someone had removed Teryani’s statues and brought in more furniture, including a grand piano where a skinny young male with long white hair tied in a black bow sat playing in the corner.
Was this Albedo’s attempt at refinement? Didn’t he realize that a rat was still vermin, no matter what residence he’d taken up?
Two of the footmen from dinner appeared holding four flutes of bubbling wine.
Once we’d each been handed a glass, Albedo lifted his. “A toast to our family and the future of our kingdom,” he said.
This was something I had no desire to toast.
Wordlessly, Malon, Lyklor, and I raised our glasses. We tipped them back simultaneously. When no one was looking, I spit the small bit of wine back into my glass.
“Make yourselves comfortable,” Albedo said, sweeping his arm in a wide arc at his side.
I lowered myself into an armchair and crossed my legs then uncrossed them when they slipped free of my skirt.
Lyklor cut across the room and flopped down on a sofa near the piano. He held the rim of his flute near his lips, taking small sips that he swished around his mouth as though rinsing it out rather than drinking.
Malon dumped his bubbling wine into the nearest potted palm, ditching the emptied flute in the soil along with its contents. When Albedo glared at him, Malon glowered back. “You know I hate that stuff.”
Albedo flashed him a thin smile. “It’s time to get used to the high life, Brother.”
Yeah, enjoy it while you can, pricks. Your hours are numbered.
The moment Albedo finished his wine, a footman exchanged his empty flute with a fresh one.
Albedo stood in front of the hearth in almost the exact position as the previous night. He pressed his lips together and shot me a considering look. “Lyklor is right. You should have female companionship.”
“What use do I have for a female companion?”
Albedo was looking at the open doors rather than me. “A personal maid at the very least then.” He beckone
d someone beyond the doors with his hand, waving them in.
The sight of Ella being dragged into the parlor by two guards followed a shuffling sound. Her blonde hair was loose and mussed up over a thin pale blue gown with short sleeves. My stomach seized into a tight ball.
As the guards brought her closer, I noticed they weren’t dragging so much as holding her upright.
“Put her on the settee,” Albedo commanded, as though Ella was a rag doll.
As soon as they released her, she flopped over.
Albedo chuckled. “You’ll have to excuse Ella. She got started on the bubbling wine before us, and it appears she drank too much.”
“And who is Ella?” I asked between clenched teeth, trying not to snap my wine flute in half.
“Teryani’s elf lover,” Albedo announced proudly. “She’s yours now.”
Malon cleared his throat.
“Well, yours during the day; Malon’s at night.” Albedo tipped his flute back and took a swig of the wine.
A sickening wave of revulsion rolled through my stomach. I set my glass down slowly on the floor, imagining a sequence of events as I lowered the flute. I would tackle Albedo first—knock him to the ground, grab the poker, and plunge it into his heart. Then I’d take care of Malon next. The fool had no weapon on him. I’d be armed with a poker and fire magic. It would be easy, totally easy, I repeated to myself as I stood.
“I want Ella tonight,” Lyklor said, his voice shooting across the room, startling me. He was on his feet moving toward her, eyes widening on mine as though he could see my intentions the way he could see through my glamour. “Why should everyone else have all the fun?” Lyklor added, leaning against the back of the settee where Ella remained slumped to one side. “You all are boring me. I’m going to take Ella to my room now.”
He moved around the settee and bent to scoop her up. It dawned on me that Lyklor was helping Ella by getting her out of there before Malon had a chance. I could have kissed the blond-haired Fae in that moment for coming to her aid.
“Not a chance. She’s mine,” Malon snarled, rushing over to the settee. He pushed Lyklor aside and plopped down next to Ella. Malon reached beneath Ella’s skirt, sliding his hand up her leg with a malicious grin.
I stood up, curling my fingers into fists. “Get your dirty hands off her,” I said.
“This is none of your concern, Cuz.” Malon sneered at me.
I started toward him. “What’s the matter, Malon? Have to force a female to drink so she can’t fight you off?” I asked in a jeering tone.
Albedo frowned at me. “Careful, Sarfina. You’re here by my good graces.”
I whipped around. “No!” I snapped at him. “You’ve invaded my sister’s castle and opened my eyes as to who the real villains are.”
Sarfina could have an epiphany, couldn’t she? I hoped, at the very least, she wouldn’t be content to sit back while a helpless female was misused. Either way, I wasn’t going to stand around while Malon violated Ella. It was go time. Too bad Ryo would miss out on all the fun.
I charged Albedo.
“What in the seven hells, Sarfina?” he said as I knocked into him.
Albedo stumbled back several steps but didn’t fall. I stomped on his foot and lunged for the poker, spinning around and jabbing it in his direction. Albedo jumped back with a growl. I aimed the pointed end at his chest and lunged as Albedo sidestepped the iron rod. He grabbed it in the middle and yanked it while I held on. I was pulled toward him. Then we were wrestling for the poker only inches apart, both of us breathing heavily in the struggle.
Albedo’s eyes were wide with fury and his lips snarled. “Stop it now, Sarfina,” he bellowed.
I kicked him, and he hissed but held tightly to the poker.
I put the whole weight of my body into yanking it away. Unfortunately, that was when Albedo chose to let go. I fell backward, teetering into a new battle with gravity. The walls tilted as I tumbled back. My tailbone hit the floor with a smack to the ass.
My fingers loosened on impact, and the poker was wrenched from my hands. When I sat up, the end of the poker hovered two inches from my face.
My heart plummeted into the floor with me as I saw that it was Malon who had gotten hold of the poker and now stood over me grinning.
“Stay where you are,” he said to me. Without taking his eyes off me, he said to Albedo, “I told you our cousins couldn’t be trusted. Not a single one.”
His dark eyes looked down at me triumphantly.
“Don’t point that at me,” I said tartly.
Malon’s nostrils flared. He pressed the tip to my neck.
“Malon!” Albedo and Lyklor yelled at the same time.
Malon stilled, easing the pressure but keeping the pointed edge against my neck. He didn’t look away from me.
Smiling at him through clenched teeth, I willed my fire to rise up my neck into the metal rod. I fed waves of heat into the poker until Malon dropped it with a yelp and a look of utter confusion. Snatching the poker off the ground, I jumped to my feet.
Malon stared at his hands then at me and snarled. “It’s her! It’s the elf bitch.”
“That’s right. With a capital B,” I announced, lifting my chin.
I slashed the poker through the air as though it were a sword, bringing the handle to my hip, tip pointing level with their gaping faces, and crouched into a fighter stance.
During my scuffle with Malon, Albedo had moved in front of the settee.
“Show yourself,” he said in a low, dangerous voice, gaze locked on me.
I didn’t feel anything happen.
“Is that her?” Albedo asked, not taking his eyes off me.
“That’s her,” Malon sneered.
“Did you know about this?” Albedo demanded, still glowering at me.
“How would I?” Lyklor asked.
I guess he hadn’t shared his ability to see through glamours with his cousins. Smart Fae. If only his attempt to sound bored came across more convincing. There was a sharp edge to Lyklor’s words. With my eyes locked on Albedo, I couldn’t see Lyklor’s expression so much as hear the panic in his tone.
“What about the guard who came with you? Who is he really?” Albedo’s eyes seemed to glow in anticipation.
My heart slammed against my rib cage as though it had been kicked. I pressed my lips together and noticed for the first time since the struggle that classical piano music continued filling the room. What the pit? Just another day in the life of Faerie for the staff apparently.
Albedo’s lips formed a twisted smile aimed at me. “I’ll find out soon enough,” he stated.
I couldn’t allow Albedo or Malon to get to Ryo. I couldn’t let them leave this room alive. Bile rose up my throat, tasting of steak and garlic. I swallowed it down. I could do this. I’d killed ogres. These two Fae were worse monsters than the ones I’d put down in Pinemist.
Looking between Albedo and Malon, I suddenly wished I wasn’t alone. It wasn’t Ryo or Devdan I would have chosen to appear. I would have picked the best of the best to fight by my side: Jhaeros. Fae killer. Queen slayer. Hero. He did what had to be done without hesitation or remorse. He was a towering figure of will and might. Fearless. Determined. And way more level headed than I could ever hope to be.
I wanted my own family with me. I wanted my brother. These pit heads would never come close to measuring up to Jhaeros Keasandoral.
“Guards!”
Albedo’s bellow caused me to flinch. My head jerked at the sound of pounding boots in the hall. I dropped the poker and aimed both palms at the doorframe as I sprinted toward it, shooting fire into the opening.
Loud gasps went up. No one entered, but I couldn’t continue burning the air between the parlor and the hall, or keep my back to my enemies. I cut off the fire and slammed the parlor doors closed, heating the handles as I did, beseeching Sky Mother to ensure the brass handles remained too hot to handle long enough for me to take care of Albedo and Malon.
W
heeling around, I quickly located the two bastards. Malon had taken up the poker, and Albedo had Ella’s back against his chest, the blade of a dagger held at her throat. Lyklor stood between the two of them wide-eyed, his tanned face appearing pale.
I stumbled over my next step, feeling a faintness I’d never experienced in my entire life until this moment. It was a sensation utterly foreign to me. My heart sped up in confusion. My mind spun, unable to formulate a new plan quickly enough.
“Stay where you are unless you want the elf to die,” Albedo said.
I breathed in and out, holding still, saying nothing.
“You’re dead, bitch,” Malon jeered.
“No,” Albedo said. “This is our bargaining chip.” The corners of his lips stretched up his cheeks unnaturally.
“Very well, then she’ll wish she were dead.” Malon pointed the tip of the poker in my direction. He looked over at Lyklor, who stood wringing his fingers between his cousins. Malon smirked at him. “You can have the blonde, after all. I’ll take the redhead.”
My stomach coiled into angry knots. “I’ll burn off your fingers before I let you touch me,” I snarled. “I’ll roast your weenie until it falls off then toss it out the window for the crows.”
“No, you won’t,” Malon said, eyeing me up and down with a sneer. “Not after our sorceress suppresses your fire magic.”
The skin over my face pulled taut as my eyes and mouth widened in dismay. They couldn’t do that, could they? Icy fear trickled down my throat and seeped inside my chest. Shivers undulated through my arms and legs. I tried to recall my fury, my fire, but it was as though it was already gone.
“Guards!” Albedo hollered. Ella sagged against him, anchoring him in place, but he still had his dagger poised at her neck.
With their attention on me, Albedo and Malon didn’t notice Lyklor inching his way toward Albedo, his hands fisted. I schooled my expression, avoiding looking his way and drawing attention to his movements.
The doors rattled at my back. Then wood splintered as the guards kicked their way through. Before they entered, I moved away, my back to the wall, taking a position in the front corner of the room.
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