Page 52 of A Deal with the Shadow King

She motions at the empty fireplace. “It’s cozy.”

“It’s beneath you. What will you do next? Card readings? Dances under the dolmens?”

She sticks out her tongue in disgust like she just bit into a frost apple. “Exile isn’t exactly fun.” She examines me from head to toe, and wrinkles appear at the corners of her eyes. “Blimey. By the looks of you, you’ll get a taste of it soon enough.”

Only the devil of spring, Violet “Devi” Eros, ever held enough power to ruin me, and ruin me, she did, though it wasn’t exactly her fault. Only she knows the truth about my demise, and I hate her for it.

“I know that look on your face.” She fills one of her more modern teapots and clicks the portable stove on. “Morrigan’s back.”

“Her magic was felt in the sceawere, somewhere between Lightning Point and the Frozen Hills.”

Devi grips the lid of her tea chest, the only clue that she’s about as furious as I am. “We knew she’d be back.”

“But why now?”

She laughs at that, her melodic voice tugging at every crumb of manhood I still possess. “Have you seen yourself, Samhain?” She saunters over to me, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth, and skims my jacket with her long, black nails. “If I was an evil bitch looking to steal your crown, I’d only need one look at you to know you’re ripe for the picking.” She pushes into me and retreats, quick as a cat. “Tea?”

The sizzle of her wanton gaze sucks the air out of the room, but I shake my head. “I don’t have time for games.”

With a shrug, she picks up one small cup from the shelf. “Your loss.”

Devi’s idea of tea means soul-shattering sex that would cost me more than I can afford.

Steam whistles out of the tea set before she speaks again. “Rye used me as much as she used you. The arrows she stole from my quiver cost me my crown, as you well know.”

My jaw clenches at the reminder. “She weaved a dreamcatcher spider, and we both know she couldn’t have done it alone.”

A sudden flash of hatred burns in Devi’s eyes and drains the crafted warmth from her lovely, destructive face. “If the phantom queen weaved a dreamcatcher spider, she did so without my help. I haven’t spoken, seen, or written to her in eighty years.”

My chest deflates, the scope of her admission not lost on me. If Rye doesn’t have Devi as an ally, then maybe I have a shot. Now, I only have to verify Seth’s claim that Elio might have become her new target.

“Have you spoken to E lately?” I ask with fake aloofness.

Devi lets out a small snort. “Are we all to be considered traitors until proven otherwise? Elio might be a shell of the man he used to be, but he’s not about to turn on you.”

A tinge of guilt touches my heart. “So, he’s not better?”

Her hands cramp around the tea chest she’s holding. “What do you think? He lost another queen. And it won’t be long before winter hits and he needs to marry again.”

I bow to the fallen Queen of Hearts. “Thank you for your honesty.” I turn around to take my leave.

The rowan threshold creaks under my heavy boots, but I hesitate and glance back at Devi.

She plops a handful of leaves in her tea set and twirls them around. “Anything else?”

I scratch the space over my heart without meaning to. “You kept a few arrows, I’m sure.”

She flashes me her teeth, the smile devoid of any warmth. “Would I admit to that? If the others learned of such a transgression, they would have my head.”

My gaze drops to the ground. “I’m guessing your successor hasn’t been able to carve them sharp enough to pierce a Fae’s heart.”

Her knuckles turn white over the ceramic lid. “Ugh. Like that usurper could ever measure up to me.”

“I know I haven’t laid eyes on you in decades, but how long has it been since you last saw me, Devi?”

These intruding thoughts I’ve been wrestling with the last few weeks…they’re not natural. No Fae catches feelings for someone so quickly. Especially not me.

Devi rinses her hands in the sink, and droplets of water splash the counter as she swats my concerns away. “Hush. I know better than to meddle in your affairs. I’ve learned my lesson. No arrow of mine will ever touch you again. You have my word.” She glances at me sideways, her artful brows pulled together. “But don’t lie to yourself, Samhain. Whoever the poor girl is…you’re going to destroy her.”

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