Page 30 of Blood On His Lips

I closed my eyes for a minute, counting to ten, and made it to three. “Prince Renaud couldn't break them, and you think you will? Their minds have been tampered with. There's no information to get.”

“Which is even worse,” Édouard said. “They need to be killed. We can't keep them here. They could be walking bombs, waiting on an order from whoever holds their leashes. Will you risk your father’s life? We already know you don’t care about your own.”

He is correct,Darkan said.They are a threat.He is also correct that it is time for you to leave your childhood behind, Aerinne.

“So everyone wants me to kill them?” I asked angrily. “I don't remember my mother executing—”

“Spies? Assassins?” The commander's voice was hard. “She executed them when necessary, Princess.”

I stepped closer to him, dropping my voice into a low croon. Renaud’s low croon, which I’d found surprisingly effective. “Call me Princess one more time.”

He studied me, crossing his arms over his chest. “Why do you assume I'm insulting you?”

“Everything out of your mouth is an insult if it's not actively hostile.”

He shook his head. “Everyone sees what's going on but you. Unbelievable. I would be amused if it didn't affect my House.” He turned from me dismissively and addressed his mate. “We'll try your methods first. I concur with Aerinne that we're unlikely to extract any information, but we have to try. And whether our Lady likes it or not, a decision will be made on what to do with them.”

This was a fight I wasn't going to win unless I was willing to shed blood, metaphorically speaking. Maybe even literally. Édouard's heels were dug in, and Tereille, in his gentle way, agreed with the commander. I turned and left the house, Juliette falling in at my side.

She slung an arm over my shoulders. “Some days just suck like this.”

We walked home, and I spread my good cheer by ordering everyone gathered in the training circle within twenty minutes. One or two of the townhomes on this block and the next were occupied by families considered related to my mother's bloodline, but mostly Faronne had claimed the properties centuries ago as barracks. Four to five bedrooms sheltered between ten and twenty warriors overall plus one or two households. In other words, since a large chunk of our forces lived within a two to eight-minute jog, there was no excuse for them to ignore the summons.

Not that they would, considering the events of the last several weeks. We’d never lived in uneventful times, but they'd rarely been so exciting.

When the off-duty warriors stood in front of me, as well as household staff and noncombatant family—anyone who planned on attending the faire—I surveyed them all. Baba stood at my side, looking far too rested for a male of his mortal age. I felt haggard, and probably looked it.

“Thank you all for attending us on such short notice, and so late in the evening,” my father said in his usual grave but warm tones. “Ahead of the upcoming faire, I have received communication from the palace seneschal. There are a list of rules and warnings I will now go over, for the consequences of breaking these rules are severe.”

I listened with one ear as my father spoke, and observed the darkening faces and body language of our people.

“Does he mean to hamstring us?” someone called out when Baba was done.

“What the Prince means,” I snapped, “is what he said. You will draw no weapons, you will instigate no fights, you will insult no one you deem worthy of insult. If you break the peace, you will die.”

“Do you now defend the Prince, Lady?”

I didn’t move, softening my voice. “If you want to throw away your life because you're too stupid or uncontrolled to behave like a reasonable adult for one day during a citywide event in which noncombatants, children and even humans will be present, then step forward now, and I will slit your throat myself.” I wouldn't, but making the threat was enough unlike me to emphasize the seriousness of this issue.

“There is wisdom in these rules,” my father said. “The Fae are a race of warriors. House Faronne in particular is hotheaded and welcoming of any challenge—” a sprinkle of laughter “—and I'm certain the Prince is well aware that any provocation could prompt a very dangerous situation. And yes, there will be children and noncombatants present.”

“Don't give Prince Renaud an excuse, people,” I warned. “We can endure mingling with the Houses we find noxious for one day. A few hours spent relaxing, having fun, and avoiding bloodshed will not, despite persistent rumors, kill any of us.” Another smattering of laughter.

As I dismissed them all, I hoped the laughter meant understanding. I didn't think I would be able to save any of them if they broke the peace at the faire. And I didn’t know what either I, or Renaud, would do if my hand was forced.

ChapterTen

Kicking aside thin covers,I slipped out of bed and walked barefoot across white and black marble floors, the stone cool under my bare feet. I ignored the silken swish of a sheer nightgown on my legs, approaching the male who stood still and straight-backed at the balcony, his hands resting on the ledge.

“How are you doing this?” No one had kidnapped me in my sleep, and I certainly hadn't somehow lost my memory. No, I knew the taste of a dreamscape very well.

Renaud turned slightly, black silk robes loose on his chest, revealing satin skin over sculpted muscle. I pressed my lips together, refusing to respond to the subtle seduction, to his calm gaze and invitation for me to step forward, to touch.

I would not touch him. I would not succumb. Not yet, until I’d figured out how to turn this desire to my advantage.

“I have claimed you as mine, my halfling,” he said, voice soft under the evening stars. “Did you think that meant nothing?”

“You may have claimed me, and no one will argue with you, but you shouldn't have access to my mind like this.”

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