Chapter 11 #2
“Ah….” Mistmark looks toward Falion in search of a lifeline.
Strangely enough, it’s the assassin who answers me.
“It’s the combination of a female’s scent, her taste, her pheromones…
. It ignites a recognition within the male.
It speaks to the territorial nature of the beast he once was, when we first conquered these lands, these forests.
So when he says he knows by a single kiss, then he knows.
Every instinct within him is clamoring to take her to bed and never let her out of there.
The urge to breed his child upon her is almost impossible to deny.
” Falion shrugs. “It’s a little uncouth, but I’ve seen men I previously thought to be sensible fall prey to such utter nonsense. It happens.”
“It’s not nonsense,” Mistmark warns him, as if this is an old argument they’ve had a million times over. “One day, my friend, you are going to be minding your own business when a female drops into your lap and you’re going to lose all good sense, and I am going to laugh myself silly over it.”
“Highly. Unlikely.” Falion’s tone drips with frost.
“Hmm.” This is unexpected good fortune in the turn of the conversation. I thought it would take me longer to steer it in this direction. “You’ve felt such a calling before, my lord?”
Mistmark tears his focus from his friend, a faint scowl etched between his brows. “We all know I’m getting married, do we not?”
“Strangely enough, I think I’ve heard the odd mention of it. There’s some low-level betting going on about whether you’re going to get the bride to the altar or not. Some expect you to cry off, and some expect the bride.”
He sighs. “What can I say? I was granted a boon by the goddess. There are certain stars aligning in my very near future that seem to be playing out precisely as predicted. The Blood Moon is in the skies. I am several days away from being brought to heel. Each and every element is falling into place. Though I have not yet kissed my intended, I daresay even I may be overcome….” His vision grows distant for a second.
“Although…. I’d already thought I’d found her, a long time ago.
But I was clearly wrong. So perhaps there is something to be said for some confusion.
Is there more than one mate offered for each male?
Perhaps. And now I don’t know if I’ve helped your cause, or Keir’s?
I’d already thought I’d found her….
A little flight of butterflies take wing within me and it’s all I can do to not blurt out, “Three years ago, perhaps?”
Somehow, I keep my mouth shut through sheer force of will.
“Merisel prefers solid facts she can see and feel,” Keir replies, closing his hand over mine. “My lady doubts my intentions.”
“It’s not your intentions I doubt.”
I love the challenge I see written across his face. It feels like Keir’s been in control of this arrangement at every step of the way. A year and a day of service. I owe him some unruly behavior.
“There you are, my love,” says a clipped voice behind you. “My brother’s been looking for you.”
Belladonna.
And here we were, just getting to the interesting part.
“Ah,” Falion mutters under his breath, “I didn’t realize harpy was on the docket for the hunt.”
I’m fairly certain I wasn’t meant to hear that.
I’m also fairly certain I need to do something. Fast. Before Keir makes good on his threat to remove the danger Belladonna presents.
I curl my fingers through his, leaning into his shoulder so he can’t make any sudden moves without dislodging me.
“Beloved,” Mistmark stares at his bride-to-be like a man eyeing a blank chessboard, and plotting his opening move. He offers her a hand. “Would you care to join us?”
“Alas,” Belladonna replies, though her tone belies the smile pasted on her lips. “It appears we’re not going to be having that afternoon to ourselves that we hoped for.”
Dogs bay in the direction of the stables.
“A true shame.” Mistmark finally lowers his hand as if realizing she doesn’t intend to take it. “What’s going on?”
“The huntsman just sent word. The white hart has been seen in the forests near the lake,” Anissa tells him. “Malechus wants to start the hunt early.”
She, at least, sounds excited.
“Early?” Falion looks at her sharply, as if she just tossed an explosive spell into the middle of all his carefully laid plans. “What do you mean by early?”
“Now.” Belladonna doesn’t bother to hide her dislike of him.
This presents a conundrum.
Am I Team: Belladonna? Or Team: Falion?
I could also be convinced by a fairly weak argument to join Team: Sword Match To The Death between the pair of them, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s some serious silent challenges as to that affect being thrown between them.
“I need to change into my riding leathers,” I say, pushing to my feet. I shoot Keir a warning glance. “Saddle my horse for me?”
That ought to keep him busy.
He looks amused.
Until Belladonna links arms with me. “I’ll escort you back to the court. I need to get rid of these shoes.”
“Of course.” Just what I want. Another moment alone with Her Iciness.
“Just make sure you return her,” Keir tells the Blood Lily, and if I thought she and Falion were preparing to throw down their gauntlets, I’m fairly certain he just took it to another level because Belladonna squares her shoulders like she’s facing an entire cavalry by herself.
“Wouldn’t dream of doing anything else,” she purrs.
And then she hauls me toward the house, with Anissa scurrying along on our heels.
“Enjoying yourself?” Belladonna whispers as we cross the lawn.
“The best part was when you showed up,” I admit. “I get the feeling you’re not overly fond of Falion.”
Interestingly enough, her cheeks turn red.
“If you think your precious prince will save you,” she hisses, “then you should think again.”
I grab her wrist. “I don’t think Keir will save me.”
“No?” There are dark shadows beneath her eyes. “You think I’m fool enough to imagine last night was happenstance?”
“Last night?”
Belladonna leans closer. “Tell him to keep his filthy claws out of my dreams, and I won’t have to strike back. Now do what I asked. Kill Mistmark and we won’t have a problem.”
She stalks away.
Anissa gives me a pained smile. “It’s the wedding. She’s on edge.”
I rub at the knotted curse suddenly writhing in the center of my chest. “You have terrible taste in friends.”
Anissa gives a sad little shrug. “I know. But someone has to be there for the Evil Queen. She’s not all bad.”
Horns suddenly echo through the air.
Dogs go wild in the distance.
I shake my head. “A rousing endorsement.” I see Belladonna shoot one last vicious glance over her shoulder. “I think you’re being summoned.”
Anissa flees after her mistress as though she doesn’t want t be punished by lingering.
I decide to test the theory that Keir can hear me. “What. Did. You. Do?” I growl in his direction.
There’s a long moment with no response, and then I can sense him inside my head. Hot possession. The scent of burning amber. A very smug sensation, somewhat akin to a cat purring. “I told you. I will take care of it.”
“Stay out of my head.” I turn for my chambers. “You’re going to get me killed.”
“Never,” he says.
And then he’s gone again, and I hate the fact that I feel a little alone.