Page 28 of Their War

I winked at her playfully, my eyes still glued to her form, no shame in my voice as I spoke. “While I did enjoy the show, that was not the purpose of my intrusion.”

“Oh?” She leaned back onto her hands, her thick, creamy thighs revealed by the absence of the other men. I let my eyes drift over her without chagrin. She apparently didn't mind my looking, so I would take advantage of the unspoken offer.

Shaking my head and pulling my mind from the lascivious thoughts that were now plaguing me, I said, “I've got information that you all need to hear.”

“It couldn't wait?” she asked, finally moving to stand up.

“No. It's time sensitive.” I watched as she pulled her pants over that perfect ass, slightly disappointed now that it was covered. “As much as I would love to watch you three go for another round,” Callum growled at that pronouncement, but I ignored him, “Sadly, this news must be imparted as quickly as possible.”

Nodding and bending over to reach for her bra, she said, “We'll be out there shortly.”

Sensing the dismissal for what it was, I faded again to the living room, finding a rumpled Baer and anxious Arryn. Granted, he didn't appear anxious to anyone else, but for me, someone who had known him the longest, I could see the subtle clues in the tension of his body. He was ready to react, his muscles coiled and tight as he awaited what I had to tell them. He immediately found me when I faded into view, hand going to his waist to find the sword that wasn't there. His shoulders and visage relaxed slightly when he realized it was me.

“What's this information that couldn't wait until morning?” Baer asked, running a hand through his hair with a yawn. He plopped down into one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. “I'd just fallen asleep.”

I moved over to the table against the wall, finding the spirits I kept there and pouring myself a strong drink. The emotions and sensations that had started taking over since meeting Rhowyn were completely foreign to me. I had always managed to maintain my aloofness, even with Arryn. While he was my best friend, he'd never affected me in this way. I had seen him naked plenty of times, appreciated his form, but this desire for him was new to me. Now that she was in my life, I was noticing things about the two of them that I'd rather not.

Taking a long sip, I turned to Baer. “When the others have joined us, I'll tell you. No sense in repeating myself.”

Arryn's brow furrowed as he watched me take another long drink, finishing off the strong spirit and pouring another. He crossed the room to me. “You okay?”

His voice was low, only audible to me, but his concern was evident. I took another sip. “I'm fine.

He eyed me, and I kept my expression neutral, not giving anything away. But I could see on his face that he didn't buy what I was selling him. Our friendship was a double-edged sword. While I noticed things about him that he'd rather not reveal, he could also do the same.

Accepting my claim for the moment, he grabbed a glass and poured himself a drink. A movement in the shadows had me turning to watch as Rhowyn sauntered in, completely put together, but I noted the fullness of her hair. The green strands rumpled and giving off that thoroughly fucked impression. Her lips were plumped and full from their activities, and the desire to kiss them swept through me. Her hips swayed enticingly as she neared, hypnotizing me. I took another long drink, something to do with my mouth that didn't involve her. Arryn eyed me, and I knew he could see my desire for her. But she wasn’t mine. She was theirs. I needed to remember that, or I would find myself in a world of hurt.

She moved to sit next to Baer, and he smiled as his nostrils flared. The smell of sex permeated from her. “Did you have a good time?”

She laughed softly, her eyes finding Lennox's and then Callum's. “Yes. We did.” He hugged her and pulled her into his lap.

“Next time, I'd be happy to join,” he said as he nuzzled into her neck. She laughed, pleased with him and his playfulness. The light around her drew me in like a moth to the flame. A surge of jealousy spiked through me, and I shoved it down.

My shadows wanted to dance with her light, but that wasn’t meant to be. As a lower fae, I could never hope to be with her, a High Fae. Even if she was in a human glamor, it didn't change who she was or what I was.

She turned and looked at me over her shoulder. “So what's this news you have for us?”

I moved to the front of the fireplace, a fresh drink in my hand. Taking a deep breath, I began. “After our discussion, I frequented some of my more salacious sources, the ones with looser tongues or with information for a price. It didn't take long for me to discover what the Queen's next move is.” I eyed Rhowyn, watching her reaction to my next words. “Apparently, she's announced that Genevieve has won the trials and will be crowned the next Queen.”

She stiffened at the name, her anger rising. “How can she do that?”

I shrugged in response. “I'm not sure, but she is. She's to have the ceremony tomorrow morning. Or rather, later this morning.”

“That shouldn't be possible,” Baer said, confusion written on his face. “Surely there can't be a transition if Avalonia has already chosen Rhowyn.”

Arryn walked up to me. “You're sure?”

I nodded as he turned to pace, taking a sip of my drink as I watched him work through this new information. “The Queen's not just holding the ceremony tomorrow, she's broadcasting it to all fae kind. Just like she did with the trials so that everyone can see that Genevieve will be the next Queen.”

“We need to be there,” Rhowyn said, sitting stiffly in Baer's lap as he rubbed her thigh with his hands, trying to soothe her.

“We can't. We're the most wanted traitors in this land. Even if we had someone we could trust, they'd surely sell us out for the amount of money she'd be offering for our arrest,” Lennox said, vitriol at his mother dripping from his lips.

“A lot of people would be eager to find us. We need to stay here for the moment. We can't risk revealing ourselves until we're ready,” Callum said in agreement, his thick arms crossing his broad chest as he glowered.

“Then you'll be glad that I've managed to procure one of the devices that will allow us to watch the proceedings,” I said nonchalantly.

Callum stormed over to me in a couple of strides. “Then why the fuck didn't you say that to begin with?” I shrugged again, unconcerned with him and his anger.

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