32. Rae #2
My breath hitched. “You looked for me?”
“As soon as I was old enough for my parents to let me go. My sixteenth birthday. I went every single year. Usually spent a month or so hunting.” Kian scowled in Rhys’s direction. “But he hid you well. I’ll give him that.”
An unsettled feeling spread through me, like I was suddenly standing in quicksand. Kian had experienced his own trauma around my disappearance. It made me feel for the man sitting next to me.
“I’m sorry you went through that,” I said softly.
“It’s not your fault,” he whispered hoarsely.
I fought the urge to glance to my right. “I’m not sure it’s Rhys’s either.”
Kian’s grip on his glass tightened. “That remains to be seen.”
When the silence lasted a good few seconds, the waiter stepped forward again. “Miss, may I get you something to drink? Wine or sparkling spirits?”
I looked to Kian for help. “I’m not sure…”
His mouth curved. “I’ll steer you away from iron-infused options. What would you have gotten in the human realm?”
“Honestly, I’d give anything for a ginger ale.”
Sympathy passed over Kian’s expression, and then he turned to the waiter. “Do you have root cider?”
He nodded. “Coming right up.” He glanced at me. “Might I recommend adding some fresh ginger root? It helps my husband when his stomach is a little unsteady.”
My eyes burned at kindness from someone who had no reason to offer it but did anyway. “Yes, please. That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
The man gave a short bow. “Be back shortly.”
A loud yet somehow airy laugh sounded from my right. I glanced over to see it was Zenia. Others had noticed, too, and I had a feeling she’d designed it that way. Her fingers teased Rhys’s forearm as she laughed, making sure everyone around her saw.
To his credit, Rhys quickly moved his arm out of her grasp and reached for his goblet. It, too, was filled with a red substance that had me feeling just a little queasy.
The waiter slid a tall glass in front of me, complete with a flower garnish. “Milady,” he said.
“Thank you so much.” I quickly took a sip, and my eyes widened. “It’s delicious.”
He beamed. “I’m so glad.”
“I’m Rae, by the way.”
He looked a little startled at first, but then he smiled. “Marcus. It’s lovely to make your acquaintance.”
“Yours, too. Thank you for being so kind to me.”
Marcus’s face softened. “It’s my honor.” He bowed and took his leave.
When he stepped away, I saw Kian staring at me.
“You’re going to make a wonderful Queen.”
I had to take another sip of the root cider to still my stomach. “I think I’d rather just be a gardener as I planned.”
Kian frowned and took a drink of his blood, but he didn’t argue.
I reached for another subject. “Why don’t you drink from someone?”
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Why that was the topic my brain had jumped to was beyond me.
But Kian didn’t appear insulted. Instead, his mouth curved. “Once you know who your mate is, it’s considered a betrayal to drink from anyone but them.”
My jaw went completely slack. “What?”
He chuckled, tapping my chin with a ringed finger. “Careful, you might catch flies.”
I quickly shut my mouth. “I’m sorry. I just… Does that mean you want to drink from me?”
“Rae, I’ve wanted to drink from you from the moment I scented your return. Your blood sings to me. There’s nothing I want to taste more…except for maybe between your thighs.”
My entire face flamed. “Oh.”
“And you’ll love it,” he growled low in his throat. “It heightens every pleasure and cements every bond. I can’t even fathom how it will feel with us being fated.”
My heart hammered against my ribs, and I started to feel a little dizzy.
Kian clearly registered my unease because he stroked his fingers down my arm. “There’s no rush. For now, I’m fine with animal blood. Even if it means slowly starving myself.”
“Starving yourself?” I asked, confused.
He shrugged. “It’s not enough for us to fully live on. So it means our bodies go into starvation mode over time.”
“I don’t want that—”
“Easy, Butterfly. It takes time. And I’m willing to make the sacrifice for our bond. It’s an honor.”
I couldn’t help glancing at Rhys’s glass. I doubted he’d be willing to do the same. Who knew? Maybe he’d sink his teeth into Zenia’s neck right here at the table.
“Well, if it isn’t the Luminary bitch,” a man slurred as he stumbled toward us.
In a flash, Rhys and Kian were up, around the table, and blocking him from getting anywhere near me. They’d moved so fast that the only evidence of their movements was their two chairs rocking in place.
“The two traitors here to defend her?” the man asked and then let out a belch.
Rhys crossed his arms over his broad chest and glared down at him. “Go home, Bernard, or I’m going to have to do something we’ll both regret.”
Bernard’s lip curled. “I’d expect this of him.” He jabbed a finger in Kian’s direction. “He’s already abandoned his people to get on his knees for the witches. But you?”
Kian’s jaw went stone hard, but he didn’t move.
“But me what?” Rhys challenged.
“You’re going to try to make the witch whore our Queen? It’s goddamned sacrilege. You should be letting me behead her right here and now.”
The room went silent; even the music cut off.
“What. Did. You. Say?” Kian snarled.
The man jutted out his chin, then pulled a blade from his belt. “I said, let me kill the witch cunt.”
My breath caught in my throat as if it were now heavy with the man’s threat.
It wasn’t that I feared he would hurt me—the men standing between him and me would never allow it.
But that didn’t change the fact that he wanted to.
That many in this room likely wanted me dead.
Maybe even Rhys himself if his life weren’t bound to mine.
Kian moved with that superspeed again, knocking the knife free and pulling Bernard’s arm back, forcing him to his knees. Kian cast a quick look at Rhys. “May I?”
Rhys jerked his head in a nod.
Kian didn’t wait. He brought Bernard’s arm down hard over his knee.
I heard the sickening crack and then the howl of pain as the man crumpled the rest of the way to the floor. He writhed as he clutched at the limb, trying to cradle it.
Rhys leaned over him. “Bernard of Firelight, you are cast out. You have one hour to pack your things and go. If you ever return to these lands, you will be killed on sight.” Then, he spat on him.
Murmurs and whispers spread throughout those assembled.
Rhys lifted his head, scanning the crowd. “Does anyone else have something to say about my future wife?”
My fingers started to tingle—the only sign I had that I wasn’t breathing.
The crowd went silent.
But Ayden began a slow clap. “Brother, I must say, I do like your vicious side.” He glanced at the guards. “Get the traitor out of here, and guard him as he packs.”
It seemed like everyone here worshiped at the altar of power and cruelty. I hated it with every fiber of my being.
What the hell had I found myself in the middle of?