Chapter 8
Max
Darting into the hall, the heat and noise of the ballroom, the call of heartbeats in my ears lessens. Shoulders dropping, I walk toward the back, planting my head against the cool stone, blood rushing through my head and inhale.
Blessed silence.
It was hard, but I did it. I held out against the magic, kept my control. I didn’t break. Even when my fear overran my logic, I held firm.
The rough surface scratches at my skin as I dig against it, seeking the grounding the wall provides. Here, there are no whispers, no horrible magic looking to take. Just the soft exhales as I cool the sweat at my temples and steady my shaking fingers.
“I’m intrigued.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I watch the Dark Fae heir step close, smirk firmly in place.
Gods, it’s not fair how a handsome face could hold such danger. Dark Fae are beasts—Nessa said as much and the crowd seems to think it. They’re creatures who drink blood and I’m alone with him.
He scans my body, lingering on my face and I can’t help but track his eyes. They’re fire, balls of flames, ready to burn me whole.
He shifts closer, chalice in his hand. The spicy scent of a campfire hits my nose and the cool touch of death hangs around him. They’re old friends, those two.
Smirking, he winks flirtatiously but I stay still. My entire body is rigid with unease and dread.
The heir might seem to be regal, refined, a prince among other lords, but I see who he is behind that mask. A predator in nice clothing and an arrogant smile.
When I don’t speak, he comes closer, his free hand resting on his sword, like a threat.
“As a trusted advisor to the brother of the Blackwoods Coven Matriarch, I’m surprised to see you out here. Alone.”
Swallowing, I let his words sink deep. I know this court is not to be trusted, and I know me being here is perilous. But what does the heir know, that I do not?
Kaden moves closer, smirking at my furrowed brow. “It’s dangerous to be alone. Especially in these halls,” he clarifies, talking to me as if I’m an infant. “You should not be here.”
A lick of irritation flares inside my chest, replacing the fear and anxiety. How dare he?
“Are you saying I should not be here, because I am a woman?” I stand, crossing my arms, resolve to stay mute forgotten. “Or because there is unseen danger? Because, at present, there is only one danger that I see and it is you, heir.”
The rumors swirling around Dark Fae and the heir might be intense, frightening and keep small children awake at night, but Kaden Moorgate is nothing but an arrogant ass. I’ve dealt with enough of them to last me a lifetime.
Unfortunately for him, he doesn’t know he’s speaking to a woman who has magic that could claim his life. I am not helpless—people fear me.
That smirk grows. “Ah, so you do speak. Good. A pretty face can only get you so far in life. A quick wit is more valuable.” His burning eyes bleed out, the whites being swallowed by ink.
Behind him, a wall of darkness curls around his shoulders, growing high like a wave as they mold to his muscles. They’re a second skin of shadows and sin.
Shadow magic. My heart pounds in my chest, the only drum in my ears that fuels my fear.
The heir has magic—just like me.
Those black eyes, crinkle at the corners, amused. “Afraid, advisor?”
Gulping, I shove down my blooming fear and mask my face into practiced boredom. The one I show the Coven so they don’t know when their taunts, their disgust, hurts me.
“No. Cute trick.”
He chuckles, shadow magic pulling from his eyes, the amber returning, a blinding light.
“It’s more than a simple party trick.” A fang slips over his lip as he moves closer, his signature scent wrapping around my heart. His aura is a blistering flame that wants to consume me. “Want me to show you more?”
Leaning one arm over my head, he peers down at me, smirk irritating me. I push further into the stone, to keep from us from touching.
“No. I’ve seen better tricks from traveling bards.”
Kaden licks his bottom lip. “You’re a feisty little thing, aren’t you?” Twirling a piece of my fallen hair, he tugs once. “As cute as a kitten, but no claws to speak of. Practically harmless”
Yanking my head, he drops my hair, smile growing. This Dark Fae is insulting to say the least.
“Careful, heir. This kitten isn’t completely harmless.” I hold up my hands, thankfully not red to blow my secret. “I have claws and they’re sharp. I could take out your eyes. I hear those are sensitive, Fae or not.”
There’s a flash of an amused smile before he pushes close, noses brushing. His heat sears me, and my body, the traitorous thing, trembles, core dampening at the welcomed weight.
I am not attracted to this Fae. I can’t be.
It’s almost uncontrollable how easily my body sways toward him, ready to submit. Unlike me.
Twin fangs drop over his bottom lip, obscuring his beautiful face and my pulse jumps. They’re wicked, deadly points and far too close to my throat.
Nessa’s warnings of the Dark Fae hum in my head. Beasts, they drink blood to survive and I’m in the perfect spot to be dinner.
“Clawing my eyes out?” He asks. “In my land, that would be considered flirting.” He pulls back, glancing to my lips. “Considering how weak you seem, I’d love to see you try, advisor.”
The condescending tone rubs me the wrong way. I want to prove to him—show him, how truly powerful I am. How I could let my magic past my shields, grab his heart and crush it, just for him to understand who I am.
Who the Coven hates. Who the Coven tries to ignore.
But that’s only my pride talking. I won’t break my control, not for this Fae.
“Regardless, heed my warning,” he shoves off the wall, as if he can’t wait to be rid of me. “I may be dangerous, but there are worst things in these halls for someone like you. Do not go anywhere unintended again.”
The arrogance. Does everyone always bow to him?
“You’re the worst kind of danger,” I accuse, stepping off the wall, body strangely missing his warmth. “Whatever is in these halls, I’m sure it pales in comparison to what I am capable of, heir.”
“Your inflated sense of ego will be your downfall.” He winks and my eyes turn into slits at his cockiness.
“You’re all of five feet of pure delicate features and fearsome blue eyes, to be sure.
But in this court, you are a commodity—prey for those in power.
If they catch you, which they will, you don’t stand a chance, advisor. ”
“And this concerns you, how?” I ask, tone biting. “Why do you care? If I’m prey then I’m beneath you. If I’m a commodity, I can only assume you’d like to see me sold. Unless there is a reason, you shouldn’t bother wasting your breath to warn me of dangers not yet seen.”
He laughs coldly. The black submerges his eyes again, stilling my breath. It’s a battle not to shake before him.
But I don’t fear him—his power, maybe, but not him. It’s the strangest thing.
“Care?” He scoffs. “I don’t. I barely know you. I’m merely offering a warning. Do what you will, with it.”
“And if I don’t?” I challenge, moving closer to him. Moments ago, I wanted him gone. Afraid that if he touched me, I’d burn. Now, I can’t seem to let him go. “What if I continue to haunt these halls, alone? What will become of me?”
“Death, most likely,” he says casually. “Do you wish for death, advisor?”
I snort, glancing away. “Death would be too easy.”
His jaw bounces, weighing his words. “There are horrors in these halls that would scare someone so young. Things that would keep you up at night.”
I chuckle. “You’ve no idea what keeps me up at night, heir.”
He glares, the smirk growing sharper. “I can see stubbornness is a trait you possess in abundance.” He steps close, hand gripping his sword. “Listen well, advisor. Do not go anywhere unattended. Do not attempt to. It will only hurt you in the end.”
“I can defend myself,” I insist, crossing my arms.
Tilting his head, his thumb brazenly rubs against my mouth, as if to smear my makeup. When nothing moves, his brows furrow.
“Perhaps,” he relents. “But you should still listen to me.”
“Listen to someone who doesn’t care? Why bother if you don’t?” I cock an eyebrow as he drains his chalice, finally moving back. “Dark Fae aren’t known for caring for other species out of the goodness of their hearts. Why should I listen?”
He snorts, tossing his chalice away. “And Witches are not known for being hospitable to my kind. Seems we’re both not what the other assumes.”
Moving to the exit, he jerks his chin and my pulse hammers in my throat. “I cannot force you to listen to me, but you should.”
“You’re quite arrogant, heir.”
He winks. “For good reason.” Inhaling, he scans my body again, his lips curling into a dazzling grin. “But if you don’t, you’ll die here. That I can promise.”
My hands tremble as the heir moves to the exit, glancing back to me with bright amber eyes once more.
“Don’t trust me, advisor, but I can tell behind that stubborn mask, you are an intelligent woman. You can tell something is not right in this court. And you would remiss not to listen to me.
“Do not go through these halls alone. Bring a guard. Be smart. It might be the only way to live long enough to see your Coven again.”
With that he leaves me, in the empty hall, apprehension dampening my brow.
Do I listen to the heir—a Dark Fae, known for cruelty and wickedness? He has no reason to help me, but what does he gain from scaring me?
Curling my hands into my dress, I glance around, searching for an unseen threat. He might not be someone I can trust, but Nafre did warn me of this court.
Sighing, I steel my spine. It’s best to play it safe. I already ruined my mute persona with the one person who could use it against me. I’d rather not wait to be prey in this palace.
After a few moments, I yank the door wide, entering the ballroom, noticing the heir’s grin across the room. Scowling at him, I retreat to the back corner and far away from the Fae.