Page 188 of What Lies Within Blood & Heirs

Aiden was on his feet, dagger in hand. Jade stiffened like an iron rod was shoved down her spine.

Alora was entirely certain someone had been slaughtered by the sound her maidservant created. It sounded as dire as such, and the look on Miwa’s face could’ve convinced her as much.

The book in Miwa’s hand slammed shut. She threw it on her lap, on the teal dress matching her hair and brightening her amber eyes that now sealed closed. A throaty growl released from her, echoing off the mountain stones, furniture, and windows as she snarled out, “So. Lorcan. Did?So Lorcan did?” She ran her hands down her face before falling to the cushions. “WHAT DID HE DO, SARAH?”

Knowing this book from Garrik’s selection in her tent, Alora fully understood her frustration. She merely smiled at Miwa.

Those pearly wings flared as she picked the book up again as if to see if what she had read was real, and giggled so ridiculously that even Jade laughed, too.

There wasno word from Ezander.

Instead of attending an orchestra that late afternoon, the princeling was rumored to be tending to his duties somewhere in armor, sweating around other males in training.

Aiden escorted her and Jade, along with attendants, nobles, and one pouting princess without a High Prince on her arm, out of the theater. Music swam around her glistening eyes as they strolled up the street. The bellows of horns and the plucking of strings. The melodies when they swelled and other times when they were but a whisper. How she wished she could have ivory keys beneath her fingers.

Perhaps she’d ask Garrik to dawn her a piano for her tent after they found Blood.

The Ruby Crown welcomed them inside to sit on the terrace. Aiden reclined against the railing overlooking the river below, scanning the current and perking his lips when he laid eyes on the females, indeed, with fishtails below.

Alora drew a glass of whiskey to her lips, feeling the pleasant burn smoothly glide down her throat as Jade did the same with ale. Unlike himself, Aiden decided against rum and observed the room as she imagined Garrik would’ve done.

Erissa’s obnoxiously shrill laugh stabbed around the terrace. The males around her chuckled in return, flawlessly stroking her ego.

Jade tightened her jaw and glared through her upper lashes, sneering. “I have a jeweled dagger that would look pretty in the small of her back.” Fiery green eyes glared into Erissa as another shrill of laughter stabbed into their ears.

You can’t kill her.

“You can’t kill her,” Alora and Garrik warned together. Alora sent a flicker of starfire across that silver tether, dancing with his shadows as they had been doing all day. He made certain to check in with her continually as Brennus used his … skills. It was the only thing allowing her to somewhat enjoy the day.

Aiden leaned forward and grabbed a glass of water, frowning at it. He seemed to be praying to the stars before placing it to his lips when a shadow stepped beside Jade.

The smell of expensive wine clouded them before his voice interrupted. “Well, aren’t you the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen?”

Aiden choked on his drink.

Jade threw him a withering glare, then sarcastically smiled at the male. “You clearly don’t know who I am.” Every word a threat.

This was going to be a long day.

There,in that mirror of her bedchamber, Alora couldn’t do anything but gape.

Miwa backed away, hands drifting from the delicate curls she weaved on Alora’s head. Away from the aquamarine-encrusted snowflakes and chains of diamonds braided through her white hair. In the faelights, Miwa’s glowing dark skin brightenedagainst the shimmer; the stardust flecked through the silver and white fabric hugged the swell of her chest.

She lifted the lioness mask from the vanity, finding the very same gemstones and snowflakes as her hair and gown. Noting the same swirls like a winter wind lavished in striking silver.

“Starsdamn,” Miwa cursed, speechless, and placed a glimmering silver crown of blue gemstones and diamonds through her hair.

Alora’s cheeks scarleted. At how ridiculous she looked. The sight of her …

She looked like … like an ice queen.

But Miwa gripped her shoulders and squeezed, staring her down in the mirror. She leaned close, a feline smile on her face as she whispered in her ear, “You’re going to bring him to his knees.”

The curtains were drawn from the walls and windows. Alora had often wondered what kind of magic the kings and queens were given from their lands, and tonight, Ladomyr made a show of his.

Being the sovereign of Land and Growth, it was no shock when the vile male spread his arms wide and opened the outerwalls of the room, crumbling away that part of the mountain and windows to open the balcony overlooking Karanagar below.

It was as if she entered an entirely new realm when the rubble finally disappeared.

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