Page 114 of Chosen By the Fae King

“Be on guard, kitten. Portia's tongue is just as sharp as her blade.”

Raina walked behind them, not even attempting to force a smile. Her pale hair shining under the sun's rays. She wore it half down, with the sides pulled back. It made her look more feminine despite the black combat attire she'd chosen.

Portia had the same hair and structural features as her daughter, but the derisive look on her face made her unattractive. Which was saying a lot, considering how gorgeous I thought Raina was.

Neither of her parents had hugged her when they'd exited their coach. I had a suspicion they never had. In fact, what little I had seen of their initial exchange had Raina's jaw clenched and skin blotted red.

“You are a complete and total embarrassment,” Portia hissed icily from the bottom step, loud enough to reach our ears. “We expected more from our investment in you.”

Raina's light purple eyes darkened. “You shouldn't have bothered.”

“No, we shouldn't have,” Rodrik agreed. “But as we told you, we'll have our investment back soon enough.”

Nox and I shared a look.

They strode up the stairs until they stood on the veranda before us. Rodrik bowed gracefully and the two females curtsied.

“Lady Portia. Sir Rodrik. Thank you for coming. It's been a long time.”

“Too long, Your Highness,” Rodrik replied smoothly.

“The pleasure is ours, My King,” Portia purred. “Though we must admit some surprise. The trials ending so abruptly, and you choosing a bride so quickly …” She trailed off leadingly.

Nox's hand tightened around mine as he said coolly, “The trials served their purpose. I found more than I had hoped for. Much more.”

“And how wonderful that must have been for you,” Portia said, extending her hands to clasp mine, her face a mask of pleasantness. “Congratulations, on your new station, Lady Aeryn. I'm sure it's more than you could have ever imagined for yourself.”

The dig fell away like a crumb off of bread, tiny and insignificant.

Her touch sparked a vision, a memory. Portia and Rodrik sat in a shadowy room with three others, listening as they were informed that King Orson was dead. Triumph and greed twisted their features.

Another memory flashed, news Nox still lived. Rodrik killing the messenger in a fit of rage. Then news of the trials. A new plan.

If Raina could have done her job and won this thing it would be so much easier to get to him. Curses to the poor soul who buys her at auction.

“Raina …” I whispered. As much as she loathed them, this revelation would still hurt.

“Is something amiss?” Portia asked, tilting her head, tightening her grip on my hands.

Panic flooded through my veins.

“Lady Aeryn?” she grinned sinisterly, pushing subtle energy into the skin where we were joined. “Are you alright?”

Raina said something I couldn't catch.

The magic was stealing my senses. My baast hissed and forced my neck to turn to my mate. The wild shoved at the magic subduing me and gave Nox the signal.

Nox didn't hesitate when he saw my eyes flash to amber. His claws extended as he swung for Portia. He met a spear of ice instead.

“Now!” Rodrick screamed, forming another weapon and swinging it in a wide arc.

My mate shoved me aside, finally breaking me free of that bitch, as he hastily threw up a shield between us and Rodrik. The ice blade shattered against it, shards spraying across the stone steps.

Chaos erupted as hidden fae and mages emerged from the crowd. Others poured in through the gate dressed as common citizens, attacking the guards and other fae who rushed to defend us.

Nox swore, grabbing my arm to pull me back as a blast of fire nearly singed us. “Stay close!”

Lorne and Liam were fighting off enemies coming from the sides. The royal guards did the same at our backs. Our reinforcements spilled into the courtyard, having been on standby for this very reason.

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