Page 57 of Lord of Dance and Desire

ANDREIEN

We pushed past the vanguard. Bringing down the basic wards on the front, side, and back entrances was simple but grueling. We infiltrated the house, encountering more little surprises an unexpectedly canny Dartanyon had left for us.

More golems, plus the usual assortment of protections and booby traps. He didn't have much of an imagination, but what he lacked in creativity he made up for in sheer quantity.

If the stakes weren't so high I might have enjoyed it as a kind of training exercise. But my power wasn't infinite, and I was the strongest present. If I went down, the others would fight, but what could take me could take them.

Constin shouted an order as I weaved between my warriors, a blade now in my hand because it would do better to husband my magic.

My Anah was in this house, I felt her presence. Gritting my teeth, I relaxed as the barrier shrouding our bond began to dissolve, slowly, so slowly.

“Drei, behind you, damn it! Payfuckingattention.”

I whirled, met the attack and dispatched it. Turning back, I headed in the direction tugging at my insides.

She was in this house, and she lived. But in what state? I dreaded the answer.

As I steeled myself, I made her the silent promise that no matter what had happened, time and care would offer healing. I would abandon her for nothing.

I’m coming, my darling. I’ll save you.

HASANNAH

On that strange bed in a madman’s mansion, a mouth cajoled mine open, breathing sweet floral and candy scented breath into my lungs.

I struggled, fearing suffocation, but as my lungs began to burn Dartanyon pulled away, staring down at me with eyes gone to an almost purple candlelit glow. There was no green in his eyes to offset the blue. No amber flecks.

“I wanted more time with you,” he said. “But it appears I made a mistake somewhere. I suppose I never meant to draw it out.”

The last he almost said to himself, half turning as I heard the distinct sound of. . .my brow furrowed. Like something big andheavy ramming against a barrier and creating aural booms of electricity.

“It’s Andrei,” I said.

Battle. Those were the sounds of Fae warriors breaking into a fortified mansion. So cool.

I giggled.

Dartanyon whirled back to me. “If you think he’s going to save you, it’s too late for that.”

I laughed. “Well, his timing isn’t the best. But your dialogue is worse.” I laughed again, vaguely concerned at my behavior.

But, I mean, were there instruction manuals on how to act when kidnapped by a crazy Fae Lord who stuffed ballerinas into giant glass cages?

No, sir and madam, there were not. Point me in their direction if so.

I giggled again. “Oops. Said that last bit out loud.”

I tried and failed to sober, flexing my legs. High as fuck. He’d definitely drugged me with Ixnie again.

“You drugged me, didn’t you? I can’t even be mad cause, my man, that’s some gooood shit. Wow. I feel like doing a happy dance, but I’m not a penguin so it wouldn’t color me properly and I’d just tumble down the rainbow brick road. I hate skinning my knees. They always taste like chicken when they bleed.”

He stared at me.

I struggled to rein myself in. Damn. “This is worse than that brownie I ate that one time in a single go.” Or better, dependingon one’s point of view. “I kinda regretted leaving that ex cause of his sister’s baking skills, but he had other issues.” They always did.

Dartanyon continued to stare. I didn’t like his stare. It was scary.

“Dartanyon? I’m scared.”

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