23. Chapter 23
Chapter 23
I mani found herself alone with the prince. Tension filled the room like a vise around her throat. She took a deep breath, waiting for him to speak.
Instead, he stared. Sitting up straighter and bending a knee to prop his elbow on it, his head rested in his hand. He studied her with a mixture of confusion and manic interest.
An odd sense of time slowing came over Imani. A blip of chilling pressure awakened a minuscule crack inside her, leading somewhere vast and profound; a place she didn’t want to even think about for too long. She ignored it, but the emotion lingered.
If he sensed it, too, he gave no indication.
“Hello, little elf witch,” he murmured politely. His grin grew. “I didn’t expect you to be the one Esa would bring here tonight, darling. It’s rare when something, or someone, takes me by surprise.” He clasped his chin, where a shadow of dark facial hair had grown. “How did you get inside? I placed the wards myself.”
Her soul draw was on full display, although she wasn’t sure it worked on another elf as strongly as it did on other breeds. If this conversation turned problematic, it was her only defense against a powerful witch like Kiran. Though she disliked using it—and it generally being more of a problem than a solution—the draw might help her tonight.
He put his fingers to his mouth and studied her, thinking. His eyes met hers, and she stared back, testing to see if her soul draw would affect him as his did her.
Kiran’s disfigured eye was like a hole with no bottom—endless black. His green one was beautiful—a bright, verdant color sparkling in the firelight. For some reason, it reminded her of the nymph witch she’d met in their shop before Malis had attacked her. She’d never forget those eyes, but the man had had two.
“Again, why am I here?” she asked in a lilting voice layered with her elf-witch magic.
One of his eyebrows flicked up, but he remained clearheaded. “I wanted to see who and what we’re dealing with before discussing a potential partnership.”
Something about his black eye tempered her hold on him. In her raw, true form, even with the black marring her face, such an unnatural reaction bothered her. Kiran clearly enjoyed the company of females, yet Imani couldn’t find any hint of the usual hunger.
With her scar, she wouldn’t be as beautiful as the other female Norn he’d met.
It doesn’t matter , Imani admonished herself. Her appearance and soul draw were superficial powers; they had always been tricks rather than real magic. Yet she couldn’t deny her disappointment. Controlling such a powerful witch, especially when bargaining with him, would have been a boon for her. But it wasn’t an option.
Kiran leaned closer. “Your illusion keeps your magic well hidden. You’re stunning without glamour, and I can’t tell you how much it pleases me.”
“I couldn’t care less about pleasing you . I want to speak to your brother.”
Kiran laughed again, a musical sound making her toes curl. “What a little liar you are,” he purred. “Of course, you care about pleasing me. My brother isn’t making any decisions here without my counsel.” Walking forward, he loomed over her, although she supposed it wasn’t too hard to do with his considerable height and broad shoulders. With his thumbs, he skimmed the skin beneath her eyes. “Even these perfect little eyelashes sparkle without the glamour.” His face became concerned. “But this soul draw of yours will be a problem, one I didn’t anticipate with the security measures in place.”
“What security measures?”
“The room is warded against illusion magic,” he said with a sly glint.
She felt like a bird caught in a cage but kept her composure. Not many witches could pull off such a spell. Kiran’s defensive magic impressed her.
Someone else entered the suite.
Kiran positioned himself between her and the door, hiding her from view behind his large body.
Without her powerful illusion, Prince Saevel sensed her. He canted his head to the side in a predatory way, and his pupils enlarged, rapacious in their penetrating stare.
She wouldn’t call Saevel handsome. He looked far too much like an actual bear to her. Yet, like yesterday when he’d exited the coach, he displayed an undeniably regal, lethal grace—magnificent but utterly alarming.
Peering around Kiran, Saevel paced—no, stalked—toward them. “What are you hiding, brother?”
Her instincts from her collecting days kicked in, and the longer Kiran didn’t respond, the more dangerous the room became. Still, she wanted the Drasil too badly to try to leave yet.
“I said, what are you hiding?” Saevel’s voice sounded light, but his eyes had the familiar glaze. He would attack if they locked eyes, and she had no illusion magic to temper his desire by controlling the soul draw.
The day in the shop with Malis came rushing back to her. Would Kiran protect her if Saevel overpowered and forced her to feed from him? If not, her shadows might come out.
Kiran must have sensed her rising panic. With his hands still at his sides but a bit behind, the elf shifted to block her more subtly, making it impossible for her to run.
Prince Saevel moved closer to the two elves. He glared at Kiran. “Is this her?”
Kiran’s voice was quiet but no less threatening. “Yes, but we have an unexpected issue. My contact did her job well since we are trying to ensnare a prince in the bedroom.”
“Then what’s the issue?”
“Our new friend is a female Norn elf, which presents a problem for us right now,” Kiran said matter-of-factly.
The air swirled with charged, heightened dark energy from Kiran’s signature and the promise of violence. All her senses elevated. Her magic sensed the danger from earlier growing.
“I’m not in the mood for your games,” Saevel murmured. “We always promised we’d do this together. No more secrets, remember?”
“It isn’t a game. Unfortunately, once I learned who we’d be meeting with tonight, I had little time to put a plan together, so you need to trust me.”
Each particle of her body was acutely aware of how closely he stood. A buzzing energy vibrated between them. Kiran kept tracing slow circles against her skin, calming her while inching ever closer. But it wasn’t in comfort. It was a warning, telling her to stay put.
“You’re pissing me off, and after this fucking day, I’m not in a trusting mood. So, why should I?”
“Since I’ve spent months planning this for you, we can’t risk anything, including you , ruining it. And you know we can’t have privacy and illusion magic in this room. So, unlike this morning, she will be in her true form. Now, you either agree to a binding not to touch her while we have this arrangement so we can do this together or leave and let me handle this alone.” Kiran’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Finding your heartmate would make these conversations—conversations you’ll have to have as king—far easier.”
Kiran’s calm voice and touch did something to her. Now, so close to her, his soul draw made Imani want to shut her eyes and drop her forehead to his back. But she resisted and refocused on the matter at hand.
“You only remind me every day,” Saevel groaned, rolling his eyes.
“You are not immune to her, brother,” Kiran said. He held her tighter to his back until his body entirely obscured her. “Females of her kind are the most dangerous elves, and this one is more beautiful than most. Do you want to lose control because of her?”
“Get out of my way,” Saevel stated, his voice deadly.
“Stay away from her.” Kiran’s voice came out as a low rumble, and by the saints, he sounded … terrifying. Lethal. Dangerous.
Whipping his wand out and pointing it straight at Kiran, a force from Saevel tugged at his brother. Kiran didn’t budge. With a growl, Saevel slashed his wand in a line. A sharp gust of wind pushed Kiran over, and he landed on his knees with a grunt.
Saevel’s command of magic was better than Imani had anticipated.
Exposed, Imani found a pair of startling green eyes glaring at the jagged, black vein-like mark running down her face. She knew each detail. The mark spider-webbed and cracked in imperfect slashes across her cheek and around her forehead. She must have looked frightful with her true form exposed, bruises and splotches of dried blood covering her arms. But her Norn magic had him ignoring it all.
“Lovely. Who marred this perfect face with such a vicious injury?” Saevel murmured.
“Some bastard who threatened me.” The lie slipped out, and she gave him a saccharine smile. “I killed him.”
They locked eyes, and his green ones went dark as he succumbed to her magic. “I can’t stop imagining how to shut that perfect mouth up.”
“I’d sooner cut off my arm and beat you with it than get in bed with you. Now back up.” Her voice carried the weight of the power the soul draw gave her.
A wicked grin spread on the shifter’s beastly face, but he obeyed. “We’ll see.”
“The only person you’ll be fucking is yourself,” she hissed back, pressure building inside her. Her shadows wanted out.
But before anything could happen, Kiran pushed her away, putting himself between them again.
She peeked around him. Saevel’s huge eyes were still locked on Imani, but he still stayed back, like she’d ordered. The Niflheim heir apparent was strong, but Saevel couldn’t fight it. So far, no one could, except maybe Kiran.
While she was in control now, it wouldn’t last. The soul draw ran wild and built. Soon, it would make Saevel crazed, and he would attack. Without her magic to protect her, she’d be at his mercy.
At least Imani wasn’t alone.
A menacing sound came from Kiran’s chest, so deep and predatory it startled her and made Saevel back further away.
Saevel narrowed his eyes. It was an unmistakable challenge. Then, without even thinking, Saevel attacked. Like a beast, he lunged quickly—quicker than she’d thought possible for someone his size. Kiran’s arms had banded around her like iron earlier. He was strong, but Saevel grabbed the front of Kiran’s shirt, yanking him away and pressing him hard into the wall. Pieces of the plaster fell to the floor under the force.
Afraid, shadows slammed against the wall of her control.
She tried to anchor her focus by training her eyes on Kiran. Much to her surprise, he appeared unconcerned with his current situation, pinned against the wall. Instead, he met his brother’s murderous gaze with a raving half-smirk.
Subservient but completely insane at the same time, he said, “Remember the last time you attacked me, Saevel? Are you the beast Father thinks you are? His pet beast, huh? Are you turning into him?”
Saevel’s temper burned hot and fast.
Kiran emitted a violent edge, too, but his was more calculated and sharp, like a knife rather than a hammer. His stillness sent shivers down her spine. Magical power filled a vast chasm inside him, ready to explode, but his restraint astounded her.
What would happen if Kiran let go?
Imani envied his skills, but there was something wrong. He wasn’t as in control as he led people to believe, and it scared her.
“I’m nothing like him, and you forget your place,” Saevel shouted, his voice booming. “How many times do you need to learn this lesson?”
“At least once more, I suppose,” Kiran said, emotionless.
Yanking the wand from Kiran’s hand, Saevel sent it tumbling across the floor to the other side of the room. He then snapped his fingers, ordering his brother around like a servant. “Kneel in front of your heir.”
Kiran made no move to obey, the wild gleam in his gaze brightening.
“Is today the day you want to die, brother? Do you think anyone would care if you no longer existed? Father would thank me. Most people would. But the choice is yours.” Saevel punched his brother straight in the mouth.
Kiran didn’t react, not even a wince, although the force of Saevel’s fist made him stumble. “You think Father hasn’t done exactly this to me before? I thought you were more creative than him,” Kiran said, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
Imani’s fear of his loss of control increased. Another fierce jolt of her magic rose.
Kneel, you idiot , she silently pleaded, impatient for this argument between brothers to end before she did something stupid. If she were threatened, her shadows would obliterate everyone and everything in this room.
Prince Kiran didn’t spare her a glance. His gaze fixed on his brother as he sat on his knees but not kneeling. A tiny muscle flexed in the male elf’s defined jaw. Imani’s eyes widened as he struggled not to laugh. Was he enjoying this little defiance?
Another punch landed across Kiran’s face. “I don’t need to be more creative than Father. I only need to be stronger.”
More blood trickled down Kiran’s face and neck, and his laughter hinged on maniacal as his head fell against the wall. Blood shone on his white teeth, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes—because something beastly hid behind his arrogant mask.
Born inside the Draswood, Imani understood animalistic predators more than most. Seeing his face made more terror build inside her. She did not want to see the monster freed to take on her own magic.
Scared, Imani took in erratic breaths. The shadows vibrated inside her, and no matter how hard she tried to hold them back, magic started turning her fingernails black, like a slow seeping of liquid, spreading under her skin.
Kiran’s eyes were unfocused for a moment, but he stayed silent. Blood from his nose or mouth covered his shirt. Somehow, he’d managed to right himself and stare up at his brother, but it had to hurt. How could it not?
If she was honest, it impressed her how Kiran had remained conscious after taking two punches to the face from someone like Saevel.
With a look of ire, Saevel prepared to strike Kiran again, and Imani watched in terror as her shadow magic spread through the veins in her hands. Tiny streams of smokey magic escaped her fingertips until the magic covered the tops of her hands entirely. Imani wiggled her fingers, trying to call them back, but nothing would stop the dark mist when it exploded. Her control was even more tenuous when her fear was this high.
Prince Kiran’s eyes flicked to hers as a sense of doom set in. Imani had been extremely careful not to use her shadows in front of most people, especially powerful master witches. No one noticed it unless it seeped out. Even when it affected the lights or the fire in the room, people brushed it off.
Kiran would be powerful enough to see this display—there was nothing she could do about it now—but she desperately didn’t want him to know the full extent of her secret.
He tilted his head to the side, his gaze sliding back to his brother with resignation. A wave of relief fell over her.
The room froze for one second before he kneeled as a chill shuddered through her. His mask lifted like a lightning strike, illuminating what was always hidden in the dark. For one moment, she glimpsed a part of Kiran’s madness. It had a face—it took over his face. An unbridled, raw hatred churned beneath Kiran’s skin.
Its eyes snapped to her. Both eyes were pitch-black now, with no green to be seen, but they weren’t empty and cold like a dead spirit’s. They were equally troubling, however.
Endless and heated, those all-black eyes made her tremble. For a few moments, she stopped breathing. A nightmare permeated her mind, some being who shouldn’t exist there.
Or anywhere.
An acute sense of horror seeped into her body, and something menacing and evil reached out and grabbed her soul, shaking it. Never in her life had a sensation so disturbing struck her. It terrified her as nothing had before.
Did it feel the same when she forcibly took someone’s soul from them while they lived?
A scream like nails on a chalkboard no one else could hear but her filled the room. She wanted to crouch down and cover her ears.
A mere second later, it stopped. The being disappeared so fast Imani thought she’d imagined it. She hoped she had. A dark creature with Kiran’s deep magic well at its disposal? Was it his snake form? The thought made her physically sick. Indeed, what Imani felt from him then truly scared her.
He bowed, his tense jaw the only hint of his obstinance.
She rubbed her hands, pushing the shadows back inside. The darkness receded, leaving her skin unharmed and perfect again.
Kiran jumped up, straightening his shirt and trying to fix his disheveled hair, but he did not bother to clean up his blood. Her heart slowed as he moved to stand close to her again.
His voice cut through the tension, irritated but calm, as if nothing had happened. “Are you done thinking with your cock?”
Running his hands down his face, Saevel took a deep breath, trying to focus. “I’m sorry, Kiran. I got out of hand.” Saevel motioned to Imani. “You were right about her. This is inconvenient.”
“Yes, but her being an elf couldn’t have worked out better for our needs. No one can resist wanting her, including you and Prince Tanyl.” He pointed at his brother’s chest. “I told you this was important, and I meant it. We need leverage. You must trust me if we want this to work.”
“I know.” Dragging a hand through his hair, Saevel looked over at Imani. “How does the little whore’s draw not affect you, then? Huh?”
“Oh, it does.” Kiran’s voice was so low she almost didn’t hear. “But all elves have the same compulsion magic, to some degree, and it’s somewhat easier to manage. Otherwise, we’d all go mad living together.” He paused. “So, you either agree to a binding to avoid her soul draw controlling you or leave.”
“It is not your decision, brother. There will always be a hierarchy in this relationship.” Saevel glared at Kiran, and his magic flared in the room. A command.
She braced for another confrontation, but Kiran surprised her.
“Of course.” Kiran bowed his head to his older brother.
Seeing this powerful witch so subservient unsettled her again. There was something inherently wrong about it.
Any malice from Saevel dissipated, and he nodded at his brother with utmost trust in his eyes. “Fine. I’m sorry I lost my head for a bit. You were right about the soul draw. If you say it’s important, then it is,” he agreed calmly. “I’m tired. Let’s get this over with now.”
Despite losing his temper, Saevel’s response surprised her. Not only did he trust Kiran as an adviser—the one most people despised, mistrusted, and avoided—but he also knew when to listen and when to take advice.
Maybe he would become king after all.