Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
MAX
I’m going to strangle him, consequences be damned.
The food turns to ash on my tongue as my hand grabs for the dagger at my hip.
Kaden halts my arm, smirking to the crowd as they cheer. A royal wedding? They think it’s a good omen.
“Now, now,” he whispers, nails biting into my flesh. “If you harm me, you’ll only hurt yourself.”
“Maybe it’s worth it,” I challenge. Marriage. To him?
I’d soon rather be killed than be tied even more to him. He already has my soul, now he wants my life? My love? How unfair is Fate?
“Think carefully, kitten,” he reminds me, adjusting to hide how he holds my hand and dagger down. “I’ll heal quickly, but will you?”
“Does it matter?” I ask, tugging away from him. “If I die, so do you.”
“I don’t plan on dying today,” he quips. “Now, eat.”
Glaring, I fist my ruined dress. “I’m not marrying you,” I hiss, keeping my voice low. “You can’t make me your wife.”
He sips from his wine, a regal act that makes me want to slap him. Just to break his mask, his impeccable control. I shouldn’t be the only one angry, he should feel something. How can he do this? How can he see no problem with this arrangement?
“I’ve already announced it,” he drawls, leaning back, legs spread wide. A king in this castle and I despise him for it. “If I want you as my wife, then you’ll be it. We’re already bound. It’s one more formality.”
Rage shoots through my veins, burning me as if my body has been thrown into a fire. A formality? My freedom, my wants, are nothing more than a formality?
Standing abruptly, I grab the closest glass and toss the red liquid over the heir, drenching his face and clothing. Copper wafts into the room—blood. He’s covered in it, black strands slicked down his neck, drops falling from his lips. A beautiful monster, just like I’ve always seen him as.
Smugly, I place the chalice onto the table and stomp toward the door. Was it petty? Absolutely. But there’s not much I can do to the heir that doesn’t harm me. Going after his ego in front of his guests is the next best attack.
I am no formality and I will not go willing.
I make it only a few steps down the hall before he grabs my arm, swinging me around.
Valiantly, I try to fight him off, hand swiping at his face, but his grip is strong and sure. My arms barely shake. “Let me go!”
He huffs, tossing me into the nearest wall, body caging me so I can’t kick him. “You can’t be alone in these halls, Max. You think I’d let you walk off after that demonstration?”
His dark eyes look down at me, wet blood smeared over his brow and cheeks.
He’s a horrific Fae, but handsome in the gore, carved from white marble and I thrash against his hold.
My fists pummel into his chest, ignoring the burn in mine.
The want to pull him close and the utter despair that surrounds me at this reality hits my belly like a stone.
He sighs. “This is pointless—”
I slap him, cutting off his argument. The sting blooms across my face, mirrored on his own as his head whips away, but I hold firm.
It hurts, Gods above, but I can finally breathe.
“You lied to me, stole me away and now, have forced me not just into a claiming, but a marriage I do not want.” My voice shakes. “You don’t deserve my peace.”
Tongue darting out, he licks his spilt lip. His eyes stare at the wall, slowly sliding back to me. They’re pitch black, endless pools of shadows and I swallow. “Careful, kitten. I like your fight. If you don’t settle down, other things will happen that I’ll have no control over.”
His hips grind the barest against me and I feel his hard cock against my stomach.
Blue eyes blazing, I dare him. “Try it.”
“Is everything alright?” A voice calls from down the hall and as one, we turn to face Fenrir, long strides eating up the distance.
The dark taunting nature of the heir changes to one of black annoyance. His gaze narrows at the Woodland Fae, his one hand above my head slamming into the palace wall in irritation.
I don’t flinch, unafraid of the heir and his tantrums. He could be threatening to slay me right here and I still wouldn’t fear him.
“Of course, you would come.”
“You left with quite a display.” He stops, looking to me, brow furrowed. “Are you alright, my lady? Do you need assistance?”
It’s a charming offer, one born from court mannerisms. I wish the heir had the same but clearly, he missed that lesson. Stubbornly, I shove the heir, though he doesn’t budge. I try to ignore how wet I’ve become and only grow angrier at myself. “I’m fine.”
“Can we help you, Fenrir?” Kaden pushes off the wall, his hands sliding into his pants. His dark smirk promises murder at the interruption. He’s still coiled from our argument, body primed and I’m no better, flesh heated. “I’m having a word with my mate.”
“Seems to not be one of kindness.” Fenrir stands taller, blond hair swinging along his back. “Though that shouldn’t surprise me. After the way you treated Sose—”
“Watch your next words, Fenrir,” he growls, smirk in place, but shadows grow along the walls. One whips out, grabbing Fenrir’s neck, pulling him upright, toes grazing stone. “I’d hate to break Queen Aoife’s heir into tiny pieces, but I will if you cross me.”
“Still vicious, I see,” he wheezes. He doesn’t bother to fight the transparent shadows. He’s used to this, and I take a step as if to help him. Although, why I’m not sure.
Kaden’s arm blocks me from going to him. It’s a clear threat not to intercede. To choose Kaden.
“Remember that next time you want to check on my mate.”
The warning is clear and I huff, crossing my arms. Kaden’s possessiveness has grown to new levels with this Fae’s appearance. I want to hate it—I’m not a trophy to be displayed and hoarded—but my stomach flips, enjoying his need to have me to himself.
For the love of all the Gods… this bond is worrisome.
The heir drops him and the Woodland Fae falls to his knees with a solid slap. Kaden smiles leaning forward, black strands falling into his eyes. “You look good like that, Fenrir, kneeling before me. Maybe make it permanent?”
“Still a bastard too.” He inhales, voice garbled. “How did you ever get a woman to love you?”
“I don’t,” I deny. As the words leave my lips, my chest constricts with the lie.
Kaden snarls, keeping the smirk firmly in place but shoves Fenrir with his boot to the floor. “Ignore her. She knows exactly how I got her: charm, looks, and a very good tongue.”
My cheeks heat even as my fingers trace the dagger on my hip. The bastard is enjoying this too much, putting the Woodland Fae down while making me uncomfortable. He’s always been a prick, but this is much more than that.
And who is Sose? I’ve heard her name enough to know she’s important.
More footsteps pull my attention to the hall, Mal coming up at his back. Although he doesn’t look pleased to see his brother on the ground, he doesn’t make a move to help him stand either.
That’s curious.
There’s a harsh similarity between them—both with pale hair, bright green eyes, and bronze skin, but whereas Fenrir is tall, willowy in build, his brother is broad shouldered and solid. Obviously, he’s spent years battling instead of inside the palace walls.
“We all good here, boys?” he asks, voice deeper than Fenrir. That voice commands troops in the middle of chaos. Kaden steps away, roughly grabbing my waist as if to own me. Cursing him, I elbow his side to release me, but he just holds tighter.
“Of course. Just reminding your brother of his place within my castle.” It’s pointed directly at the Fae, who gingerly gets to his feet. There’s a pink ring around his throat from Kaden’s shadows.
Mentally, I wince. That looks painful.
“I’m surprised you even care.” He coughs. “Don’t you have a Human king to battle? After all, you let him go.”
The heir takes a menacing step forward, fangs growing long. “You know not of what you speak about.”
“I know you allowed our enemy to live. When it was your job to protect us.” His green eyes flash and instinctively, I step closer to the heir, his nails pressing into my hip.
“Isn’t that how your father portrayed you?
Our weapon, our first line of defense against all those who would hurt us?
Isn’t that the only reason you’re not in the Eternal Night Forest, a mindless beast? Especially after what you did to Sose?”
Head tilting, I watch the exchange. There’s something about the Woodland Fae, something I can’t quite place. He seems charming, kind at first glance, but inside of him is a darkness that doesn’t bode well for anyone. At least with Kaden, I know where I stand.
The room falls silent, Kaden’s jaw muscle bouncing. The shadows grow thicker, colder around us and his nails sharpen to points, slicing my skin. Whatever Fenrir is speaking about is a sore subject for the heir, and he’s barely holding on to his beast.
I bite my lip, trying to put the pieces of a puzzle together. What is happening?
“That’s enough,” Fee interrupts, hustling down the hall, her skirt bunched into one hand, the other holding her remaining dagger.
Her voice leaves little room for disagreement, but it’s her eyes I notice. They’re wide, worried, glancing from her brother and me to the Woodland Fae, sizing up the eventual battle.
This isn’t good, whatever is this is. Kaden’s control has always been the best—one of the reasons I torment him is because it’s my only way of fighting back and can get under his skin without real fear of his beast reacting. But now, I see his control slipping.
Is this because of me? Or is there something else at work?
Gently, I wrap my hand around Kaden’s, holding him firmly to my waist. Like a trance has been broken he glances to me, brows lowered, then to our intertwined hands. Emotions, thoughts, flash in those bright orbs and I hold my breath as he slowly comes back to himself.
It’s an intimate touch and not one I would’ve initiated, but someone had to bring Kaden back. Much like he did for me in the final battle, helping me control my magic, this is my small way to save him—and everyone in this hall.
Otherwise, his beast would have eaten the Woodland Fae.
Fee exhales slowly when Kaden steps back, hands falling away. I mourn the loss.
“Are you alright?” Fenrir asks again, keeping his stare on my form as his hands lift to touch me. Stepping away, I ignore him and focus on the heir.
He’s haunted by whatever memories Fenrir brought up, still reeling from our clashing. I still detest his announcement, and his need to claim me in all ways, but there’s a spark of sympathy in my chest at his visceral pain.
He’s hurt. Wounded. And I want to soothe it away even as the hate in my gut bubbles up.
“She’s fine,” Fee cuts off, pushing between the men. She stands in front of us, scanning me before looking to her brother. She’s a visible shield to the chaos inside the heir and I admire her for it. “Right?”
“Right,” he agrees, licking his lips. “Take Max to the gardens. I have meetings to attend to.”
My mouth opens, ready to fight with him—again. Our first fight wasn’t finished and I’ll be damned to be silenced.
And stupidly, I want to make sure he’s alright.
He startles me, pulling me close, full lips pressing to my ear as if to say a loving goodbye.
The strained smirk lifts against my head and my body shudders. “Save it for later, kitten. Now is not the time to argue. Not in front of guests.”
He’s saying what I knew to be true—Fenrir cannot be trusted. Kaden might be reeling from whatever slip of control he had, battling unknown secrets, but he’s still thinking more clearly than I am.
The Dark Court is not a place to see us weak, and arguing in front of guests would do just that.
Doesn’t mean I won’t continue this fight later.
Standing on my toes, I lean my lips against his ear, a romantic gesture to anyone else. “We’re not done.”
“We never will be,” he promises. Stealing a chaste kiss on my cheek, he steadies me with two heated hands and turns on his heel in the opposite direction.
He doesn’t look back once.
Fee takes up my side like a guard. She glares over her shoulder at the two men, hand on my shoulder, pulling me down another dark corridor. How does anyone maneuver around this castle in such darkness?
“Follow me.” When we get a few steps away, she stops, fiery eyes narrowed on Fenrir. “Don’t provoke my brother again, Fenrir. Not unless you want mother dearest to get a box of your remains.”