8. Tavish
8
TAVISH
N o matter what I attempted, I couldn’t get the image of Finnian standing between Lira’s legs with his hands all over her from my mind. It was seared into my memory, and my chest ached like never before. She was my enemy, my captive, the answer to getting our rightful kingdom back for my people and seeking justice for my parents’ deaths.
Yet, my heart pumped as anger warmed my blood, and I focused on that sensation. The anger comforted me because, ever since the day the Seelie royals killed my parents, fury had been my constant companion.
Rage had kept me alive, for my own people would’ve turned on me. The fury had turned me from a naive boy with hopes of uniting the fae kingdoms into a ruthless leader my people obeyed without question.
What made this situation worse was the fact that one of the two people I trusted most in all the realms had blatantly disobeyed me, and, of course, it had to be with her . I hated the thought of doing to him what I’d been forced to do to Eldrin, but there could be no exceptions to the rules; otherwise, my people might attempt to revolt again.
“Tavish, be reasonable.” Finnian raised his hands, but the tan lacy fabric he’d ripped from Lira’s dress fluttered like a dragon breathing fire in the dark.
I wouldn’t allow anyone to speak to me this way. “Be reasonable ?” The words raked across my throat, making me more tense. My wings spread out, emphasizing my size and power. I could feel cool licks of darkness wisping around me, ready to cover me and take hold while I tore him limb from limb. “I made it clear that she’s mine . No one else’s.” The words had left my mouth before I could take them back. That sounded an awful lot like claiming, but I didn’t give a damn. She was mine to do with as I wished. Not his .
She snorted behind me and grumbled, “I don’t belong to anyone but myself.”
Something deep inside me yank ed, adding to my frustration, and I wanted to turn around and correct her. But first, I had to deal with Finnian.
The image of him between her legs popped into my head again without permission, and I punched him in the jaw.
His head jerked back from the impact, and he groaned. Still, bloodlust unfurled in my stomach, wanting more. He’d been all over her.
“Tavish!” Caelan exclaimed. “He wouldn’t disobey you!”
I chuckled darkly, shaking my head. “Do you think I’m a moron? You saw the same thing I did.”
“Her dress was stuck,” Finnian started, but his voice had my vision turning red.
I removed my sword from the sheath at my side.
Finnian’ s eyes widened. “Listen to me.”
“Oh, I saw everything I needed to see to feel comfortable with this decision.” I readied to strike him, though I wasn’t sure what my plan was.
“Wait,” Lira gasped, grabbing the arm that held the sword.
That blasted jolt I experienced each time she touched me sprang to life. Her touch was like a warm twilight on a snowy day—something I used to enjoy as a boy when I’d thought the Unseelie and Seelie divide wasn’t so large. Now, it was a reminder of the foolish dreams I’d had long ago.
“He was helping me.” Her hands tightened. “Not—”
“ Helping you?” I turned to her, and instead of an ache in my chest, she might as well have stuck me with a sword. Her attempt to defend him made the situation worse. “Sprite, if you wanted help like that, then—”
“The dress got stuck on me.” Her cheeks turned a faint pink, which I’d never seen before. “I’d just gotten out of the tub, and in my haste, I didn’t dry off well. The material got caught around my waist, and I couldn’t get it down. When he walked in, he found—”
My blood boiled hotter than I’d ever experienced. “He walked in on you naked ?”
Out of the corner of my eye, Finnian ducked, escaping my clutches. The wildling had used Lira’s distraction to get away, but that wouldn’t last for long.
“Blighted abyss.” Caelan closed his eyes. “I feel like we’re young winglings all over again.”
I pivoted toward him, readying to use my sword on Finnian again. I wouldn’t kill him … merely make him wish he were dead. And maybe cut his hands off so he could never touch Lira again.
He ran to the table that held my chessboard .
“Don’t make me do it.” Finnian arched a brow and rested his hands on the edge of the board. “Just listen to me.”
The imbecile knew that my games with Eldrin were important to me. I’d never won against him, and I studied my moves. This was the first game in which I was certain I would beat Eldrin, and Finnian knew it.
“Don’t you dare,” I seethed.
“Nothing happened between Lira and me.” He moved his hand, waving the piece of her dress like a flag.
If that was supposed to be a sign of surrender, I viewed it as an active threat. I lunged at him.
Finnian grabbed the board and lifted it. The pieces fell onto the floor. I threw a punch, and he moved the board, blocking the blow. My hand pummeled through it, cracking it in half. Lira gasped, causing my head to become level once more.
I didn’t want to bring her more distress. I yanked my hand back, but it was lodged in the wood. Finnian let the board go, allowing me to stumble several feet back.
“It might bode well for you to drop the piece of her clothing.” Caelan sighed like he was bored.
In fairness, he probably was. I would be if I were in his shoes, and that thought alone froze me in place, but I still couldn’t find it in me to care about how I was reacting.
“Good point.” Finnian dropped the fabric and wiggled his fingers, showing he had nothing in his hand. “Tavish, I swear to the gods, there was nothing sexual going on. I didn’t expect her to be naked, so I came into your room like usual. She was struggling to put on the dress, and I merely wanted to help her. She stumbled and almost fell, and that is the only reason she was on your bed like that. I would’ve helped anyone in that situation, even a prince . Would you rather I had watched her fall to the floor?”
The blasted wildling was too smooth of a talker, but I believed him. Even though I was still furious, my frustration ebbed enough for me to realize how irrationally I was acting. Another thing that had changed since Lira had come along in such a short amount of time.
“Then knock before entering next time,” I rasped.
“Don’t worry.” Finnian scurried across the room toward the exit, standing on the other side of Caelan so he wasn’t next to Lira. “I will. Lesson learned.” He glanced at her and shrugged. “Next time, you’ll have to let Tavish walk in on you like that and help you.”
At that thought, my body hardened in all places. I was suddenly desperate to know what being between her legs felt like. I didn’t understand what had changed between us now that we were older because I’d never felt anything this intense for her when we were younger.
Bringing her here might have been a huge mistake, but I had to find a way to navigate around it. The plan had been activated and couldn’t change now.
“ That won’t happen again.” Lira wrapped her arms around her upper chest. “Believe me. We all learned a lesson here.”
I needed everyone to leave so I could process everything. Part of me still wanted to stab Finnian in the stomach. In fact, I kept my sword in my hand, ready to wield it at any moment. Unfortunately, the one person I needed space from was the person with whom I had decided to share my room. Another impulsive decision that might as well have been to skin my wings. I sheathed my sword and freed my other hand from the damaged chessboard. “You’ll be retrieving a new chessboard for me within the next day. ”
Finnian rolled his eyes. “It might do you good not to spend so much time with your beloved cousin.”
“You should stop while you’re ahead.” Caelan shook his head.
Eldrin was the one point of contention I had with Caelan and Finnian. They didn’t trust him, and in fairness, when I was younger, I hadn’t either. But he’d done so much for me and the kingdom since my father had passed.
Not wanting to expend any more energy, I pretended Finnian hadn’t said anything. “The two of you should leave so we can prepare for dinner.” I didn’t want to attend dinner with everyone, but Eldrin had nearly danced with the sun when he’d learned that I’d moved Lira into my room. He’d demanded that we discuss it over dinner, and I wanted Finnian and Caelan there with me. They’d be on my side, putting Eldrin and me at odds, so I had to make the sacrifice to dress and attend dinner.
“Ah, yes.” Finnian pursed his lips. “I can’t wait to see how this particular conversation goes. It will be entertaining, seeing as I enjoy Eldrin’s heat when he doesn’t get his way.”
“Unfortunately, he is right.” Caelan frowned. “Having the Seelie princess remain in your room is reckless and something I never would have expected you to do.”
I forced my hand away from drawing my sword. If I did, I might attack both of my friends. The idea of Lira being somewhere that any guard, servant, prisoner, or castle visitor could access and take out their frustrations with the Seelie upon her didn’t sit well with me. It was my duty to decide how to execute her. “I want her protected until the right time comes, and I trust only the two guards outside and myself to ensure that happens.”
“Hey.” Finnian’s brows furrowed. “What about me? ”
I gritted my teeth, trying not to lash out. “You were part of that group until a few minutes ago.”
“I can take care of myself, you know.” Lira placed her hands on her waist, emphasizing how slender she was and how the dress clung to every curve.
The dress hadn’t been as formfitting on my mother, but the way it looked on Lira had me believing it had been made for her. I fidgeted, trying to hide the growing bulge in my pants. Now would’ve been a good time to be wearing armor.
Frustrated by all the strange emotions she caused, I bit out, “Yes, sprite. I’m sure you could with the little toy you showed off earlier.”
Instead of appearing hurt, she jutted her chin, which made me want to kiss her and make her quiver. I wanted to be the one to make her fall apart.
I needed to get away from her quickly. “I’m taking a bath.” My gaze landed on Finnian. “And no helping me get dressed—or anyone else in this room, for that matter.”
Finnian hung his head. “I’m never going to live that down.”
I marched past the broken chessboard and toward my closet. But when I heard Lira giggle, anger coursed through my body. There was no doubt in my mind who’d made her laugh, and I wished I’d stabbed him earlier.
I dug through my clothes, looking for a tunic and slacks. We’d be eating in the formal dining hall, something Eldrin had insisted upon tonight, which meant we had to be dressed as royalty.
The doors to my bedchamber closed, and I selected a black outfit that would serve the occasion. I marched out the door to find Lira picking up the chess pieces that had fallen on the floor. The top of her gown gaped, revealing her ample cleavage and my gaze settled on something that appeared fresh … a wound.
I dropped the clothes and took her arm, pulling her toward me. The cold magic of frost swirled within me as darkness clung to me. However, I couldn’t remove my gaze from the cut on her chest. “Who did this to you?” I snarled then focused on her face.
Her bottom lip quivered. “I … I can’t tell you.”
“Was it the guard?” Cutting off one wing hadn’t been enough of a punishment for what he’d done.
She averted her gaze to the floor. “No.”
“Then who?” I had to restrain myself from squeezing her more.
“Why does it matter?” She lifted her chin. “You keep saying you’re going to do worse to me anyway.”
The words were equivalent to her kneeing me in the testicles. “Just tell me who it was.”
“I won’t tell you.” She glared. “Beat me, torture me, do whatever. You’ll still never learn.”
She doubted me. Good. That was what I needed. I leaned forward, allowing my lips to brush her earlobe as I said, “Don’t worry, sprite. I’ll figure it out on my own.” A dark, dangerous sensation flooded me, telling me to harm everyone in the castle until I discovered the culprit, and the thought had merit. But that would have to begin after dinner. I had to get through that first.
She shivered, and that little action had me wanting more. My head screamed that I was being foolish, but I slid my lips from her earlobe to her lips. Her scent filled my nose as our lips touched, sending a jolt straight to a dark, cold place inside me that had been that way for so long … ever since I’d lost everything. The strange sensation heated up something that needed to remain untouched and ha rdened so I could save my people and right the wrongs against us.
“I know whatever this is between us, you feel it too,” she whispered, her eyes searching mine for something.
Her words brought me back to the present, and I pulled away. Whatever game we were playing wasn’t safe. I had a mission. One she couldn’t distract me from.
With every ounce of willpower I had, I forced myself to pick up the clothes I’d dropped and march into the bathroom.
With my hand on Lira’s arm, I forced her to join me for dinner. Her only salvation for me not growing annoyed with her was that her foot was still bothering her, but she tested my patience with her inability to remain quiet.
“I’d rather die from eating poisoned food than sit down with you and your minions,” she grumbled, trying to yank free of my grip.
Part of me admired her bravery, while an equal part wanted her to obey me like everyone else in this blasted place. I’d hoped that being raised in the human world would make her more pliable and moldable. Clearly, I’d been wrong.
We strolled into the dining hall where the long rectangular table sat sixteen. Four places had been set at the end near the windows overlooking the kingdom since no one had expected Lira.
Eldrin, Finnian, and Caelen were already there, and Eldrin frowned at Lira.
Two servants flanked the window, waiting to serve us. I glanced at the woman I’d grown up thinking of as almost a second mother. “Sine, please set another spot for the prisoner.”
“What is she doing here?” Eldrin seethed.
I hated the way she tensed. When I reached my place at the head of the table, I gestured for Eldrin to move down a spot. “I brought her here to ensure no one attempts to poison her.”
Beside Caelan, Finnian pressed his lips together.
Begrudgingly, Eldrin stood up and reached for his plate of fish and mushrooms to take with him.
“No, that’s hers.” I had purposely not told anyone she was coming with me because I didn’t want them to know which plate would be hers. Too many people wanted to kill her.
I pulled out the chair for her to sit down.
“I’d rather have a fresh plate.” Lira huffed and sat ungracefully in the chair. “I don’t want his germs all over my food.” Her gaze landed on the mushrooms, and she tilted her head. “I’ve never seen these before.”
“They’re unique to our realm,” Caelan said solemnly.
He wasn’t thrilled about Lira’s presence here either.
“Interesting.” Her cobalt irises sparkled as she lifted one. “I have so much to learn about the vegetation here.”
Her interest shocked me.
“Tavish, have you lost your mind?” Eldrin remained, standing behind the chair I’d told him to take. “She’s a prisoner, not a guest.”
“If this is how a guest is treated, then y’all should learn some manners.” Lira leaned back, crossing her arms.
I sat down, wishing she would be quiet. I needed her to be seen and not heard, but of course, that was impossible with her.
“Oh, forgive me, Princess , that you aren’t wanted or liked since your people are the reason we live here today.” Eldrin’s jaw twitched. He glared at Tavish. “What happened to you on Earth? Because my cousin isn’t the same person sitting before me tonight. The person who returned is impulsive and rash, and that’s something even your friends can’t deny.”
Both Caelan and Finnian picked up their forks and began playing with their food.
They agreed with him. I’d brought them here to be on my side.
“I’m not being impulsive and rash.” I grabbed my goblet of water and took a sip. “All I’ve done is make sure our prisoner isn’t mistreated until the time comes.”
“Oh, she’s not being mistreated.” Eldrin crossed his arms as Sine brought out another plate and set it before him.
She hurried back to her spot beside the window.
Eldrin snagged his knife and pointed it at Lira. She flinched, which seemed out of character from what I’d witnessed of her.
“She’s wearing your mother’s gown, for the gods’ sake.” Eldrin grimaced.
I set the glass on the table. “It’s not like any of us wear gowns. Where do you propose I find her clothes to wear?”
“What’s wrong with the ones she arrived in?” Eldrin waved a hand at her. “She’s supposed to be miserable.”
“Oh, believe me, I am.” Lira glowered. “I have to sit here with you, for one.”
Finnian chuckled, and Caelan coughed to hide his laugh.
The two of them together would make this situation worse. I didn’t need them to encourage one another.
“She’s rude, including to members of your own family, and you allow it.” Eldrin placed a hand on the table. “This is unacceptable.”
My back stiffened, and I waited for Caelan and Finnian to come to my aid. They normally would have jumped in and supported me by now.
“Tavish, Eldrin has a point.” Caelan grimaced. “I understand that you don’t want people punishing her, but you had her stay in the holding cell for only one night.”
“And he carried her out of it after attacking a guard for wanting to scar her like he was,” Eldrin added and sighed.
My stomach churned, but before I could say anything, Finnian interjected, “And you protected her against Nightbane. You even threatened the guard with death after he shoved Lira away from the beastly mutt.”
“And you took her straight to your bedchamber, proclaiming she would sleep in there with you,” Caelan added. “Let’s not forget what happened when we came back after you threatened every guard in the palace about harming her.”
All three of them were siding together, which never happened. But as they pointed out instance after instance of my odd actions since Lira’s arrival, I hated to admit they were right.
“And now you’ve brought her to dinner with us, wearing the queen’s gown. The very queen her parents killed!” Eldrin wrinkled his nose. “You’re treating her like she’s your betrothed, not your prisoner, and if you keep this up, your people will turn on you. Your irrational actions will get us all killed.”
I sucked in a breath while forcing my expression to remain indifferent. I hated how right they were. Whatever was brewing between Lira and me was turning me into someone I wasn’t. I needed to put some distance between us to clear my head. I had a plan, and I couldn’t let anything interfere with it, including myself.
I wanted to stab myself in the gut. “Your opinions and advice are noted.” I’d made one mistake after another, but I’d already declared she was staying with me. Every other nicety ended now. “Everything I’ve done has been to make her uncomfortable, but I hadn’t considered it from my people’s perspective, so thank you for bringing up your concerns.”
“Yes, we wouldn’t want the king to be seen as forgiving and graceful.” Lira sneered and placed her fork on the table. She hadn’t taken a single bite.
Good. Let her starve. I didn’t care. I forced myself to harden toward her. “Forgiveness will never be given until your people have paid for their sins against us.”
“Oh, and what exactly would constitute payment?” She turned toward me like it was a dare. “What is your plan to make my people pay? Clearly, it begins with me, so I’d like to know.”
This was a test and one I had to meet head-on. I steeled myself, trying to cut off every damn emotion I felt toward her. The answer was simple … four words that would make her hate me even more. So why were they nearly impossible to say?
“I will kill you.”