Page 24 of Masked Fate

***

“What’s going on with you?” Rave asks me, absently patting Apollo.

We’re both on our horses, checking the castle perimeter. “Nothing. I don’t know,” I admit, scanning the lush land around us. “I just feel a little… off.”

“I have an assignment for you tonight in the Shifter Kingdom, but if you want to stay, I can send someone else,” he replies, studying me. “Pandora is going to be there, and I need to make sure she stays safe.”

“Why are you always worried about her?” I ask, my lips tightening.

It’s been two weeks since the witch has been here. For some reason, I had a dream about her last night, and I still can’t seemto shake it. Hearing her name makes me antsy.

“Because she’s my friend and a good female,” he replies, scowling. “You don’t know anything about Pandora, Soren. You’re blind when it comes to her. She’s not her mother. I’ve told you this a million times.”

I’m quiet for a few long seconds. “I’ll do whatever you need me to.”

“Good,” he replies, running his thumb across his jaw. “She doesn’t know I’m sending someone there, but she told Astrid she’s going to attend Prince Raiden’s birthday party.”

“Why would she go to where Salem lives?” I growl, my jaw tensing.

“Pandora is reckless. Always has been and always will be,” he replies, and I don’t miss the fondness in his tone. “She always put others before herself, and that’s why I always make sure to keep her safe. Because if I don’t, no one else will. Astrid adores Pandora, and I won’t let anything happen to her. I don’t trust that evil sister of hers, either. If anyone is like their mother, it’s her.”

Just the mention of Ebony makes my hands curl into fists. I’ve wanted her dead for a long time now, but she is known never to leave her kingdom. Though, if I ever get the chance, I’d take it in a second.

“Fucking hate that bitch,” I grumble, and Rave smirks.

“You’ll get your revenge,” he promises, then turns to me with a wolfish grin. “Race you home.”

He rushes off, laughing, playful shadows swirling behind him.

This is a side of the king most people will never see.

Smiling to myself, I chase after him.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Pandora

I look smoking hot tonight.

And I’m already tipsy.

My black velvet dress hugs every curve and pushes up my breasts, and my violet eyes are dark and smoky. Things at home have been stressful, to say the least, so when Astrid mentioned that she needed someone to check on Laurel, the Shifter King’s seer, I told her I could do that for her. More than anything, though, I need this night out—a night away from my sister and all my responsibilities.

I need a distraction.

So, drink in hand, I’m mingling with the crowd, laughing at something Halia, the Mermaid Princess, said, when I feel someone standing close behind me.

“Look who walked right into my lair,” Salem rasps in his deep voice, his hand on my elbow. He spins me around to face him. I know he doesn’t like being touched, so the fact that his fingers are lingering on me right now has me feeling pretty fucking concerned.

He smirks as his light green eyes rake over my face. “Couldn’t stay away?”

“I’m not here for you,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest. His gaze drops to my breasts. “There are other people in this kingdom, you know?”

His tongue runs across his lower lip. “Last time you were here, it was because we were betrothed.”

“Still holding onto that, hey,” I mutter, and he tilts his head to the side and watches me like a wolf eying its prey. “We aren’t betrothed anymore. We aren’t mates. We don’t love or care foreach other. Why—”

He laughs, and it’s dark. I scull the rest of my drink. “It’s not always about any of that. You weremine, which means you aremine. I don’t give up anything that’smine.”

---