Page 75 of Blood On His Lips

DARKAN!

No. This—no. It was my mother all over again. This couldnot bemy mother all over again.

Come to me, my halfling. We await you.

I opened my eyes and looked at the commander. I didn’t know what he saw in my face, but he stepped back.

“I’ll get Lord Étienne out alive,” I said. “Get every last potential hostage out of this city, down to the last fluffy baby bunny that could be used against me. Don't return until I tell you.”

“With respect, Lady Faronne,” one of the Wyvenne warriors said, “what can a halfling girl do against the Prince? Whether you are his concubine or not?”

My avatar leaped. The warrior cried out as three slashes appeared on his face, my expression empty.

“The next person to call me a halfling girl will lose their tongue.” Renaud was the only Fae who I would ever again tolerate calling me halfling.

I had nothing to prove to these people. If they didn't appreciate my presence or rank above them, that was their problem. Renaud might not even be the real danger. But until I dealt with him, or let him deal with me rather, what could I tell my people? I had nothing but hints, impressions, instincts. I had to come to Faronne, to all the Houses, with more than that.

That was truly the mission. At this point, the Prince had destroyed all of his credibility. If he told us now that another foe approached, no one would believe him. We would disintegrate into bickering and infighting rather than uniting to present an offense.

“I am no concubine,” I said in the deafening silence. Several wary gazes studied me, even as my own House warriors shifted slightly, hands near blades or other weapons. “I am Lady Faronne and if you must address me, that is how you will do so. The Prince has staked a claim on me, yes. I have entertained the claim, yes. And that is all you need to know regarding our relationship.”

Good girl,Darkan said.You are learning.

I clenched my teeth and threw Darkan out of my mind. A moment later, I realized I was on my knees, blood dripping down my nose again.

“What happened?” Juliette asked.

Andyou're getting stronger. You almost succeeded that time. Redirect your energies elsewhere though, you're only injuring yourself. Now. . .enough of this. Come find me.

My avatar twined around me, yowling, its head bumping mine to offer affection and comfort. Warmth infiltrated me, a gentle flood of strength, and the bleeding stopped. I straightened and pushed back up to my feet.

“The Prince has summoned me,” I said with grim humor, meeting the commander's gaze. “And his voice is. . .unpleasant.”

“Are you fully bonded?” Tereille asked.

“No. But the bond is strong enough.” I glanced at Édouard. “If I die, and if my father dies, the House is yours to hold for Danon.” I looked around the group, met the eyes of each Faronne warrior. There were enough present to witness. Édouard would have the support of the House.

Édouard’s chest expanded as if he wanted to argue further, but then he nodded. “Don't die.”

* * *

I sprinted down the cobblestone streets, my avatar at my side.

It was quiet, eerily quiet, not even the faint scuff of cat paws on stone, or a stubborn straggler who had yet to evacuate. Everenne had taken on an almost dream like quality and the greater my fury, the stronger the avatar at my side, the more the edges of the city peeled away into mist.

Everenne was now a grave.

It didn't help that there were still plenty of bodies left where they'd fallen, people who'd been unfortunate enough to encounter the Prince when he first stormed through.

Every needlessly spent life fueled my determination. I didn't care whether I lived or died, but my father would survive.

You still think as if you are the least of your House,Darkan said.When it'syourlife you should seek to preserve above others. When you are your House’s greatest weapon.

I staggered to a halt, leaning against a stone wall and clutching my head. His voice had punched through the barriers I'd erected, mercilessly ripping aside the protections. I blotted a drop of blood from my nose and began to painstakingly push him out.

You are wasting your energy, and your time,he said,trying to keep me out. Even if I didn’t know your thoughts—I raised you, Aerinne. What do you think you can hide from me?

I didn't respond.

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