Page 64 of The Rook

Pyre grew as still as if he were made of stone. The airthickened around them, and all she could hear was her own frantic heartbeat in her ears. Claws extended from his fingertips, and his gaze burned her. He growled, and his fox ears went flat against his head.

The hair at the nape of her neck rose.

“No.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

Tempest

“No,” Pyre repeated, fury building in his eyes. “No, no,no! What have you done, Tempest? What have you—”

She held her hands up, her pulse skyrocketing. “I’ve done what is necessary.”

“Necessary?” he spat.

“Yes, necessary. Look at me!”

The kitsune glared at her.

She stabbed a finger toward the ballroom. “I’ve allowed you to parade me around like we agreed upon, but what good has it really done? Nothing but make me a laughingstock. You promised we would work together, and yet you’ve kept me in the dark, had me just waiting for the next scrap you throw me.”

“So, you want to seize power?”

“I don’t want any of this,” she exclaimed. “I’ve been thrust into the middle of a war, and I’m doing my best to keepthe bloodshed low. Right now, I feel as if my hands are tied, but as queen of this bloody kingdom, I could make changes without sacrificing so many lives. Surely you can see the merit in that?” She reached out for his hand, squeezing it. His claws scratched her palm, but she didn’t let go. “You know me. I’m just trying to do what’s best for all of us.”

A moment passed, and his fingers wrapped around hers. Hope soared in her chest until his upper lip curled, revealing the sharpened points of his canines. His golden eyes were cold and hard.

“Pyre—”

“How did he get to you?” he asked, voice steely. He tightened his grip on Tempest’s fingers until the pressure hurt.

She met his hard stare with one of her own. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Was it bribery?” he pressed. “A threat?” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a familiar ruby necklace. She was sure it came from the box of jewels King Destin had given her—the ones that were supposed to be stored safely in her room. He shook his head. “I didn’t want to believe Nyx when she said she’d found these in your possession.” He chuckled, squeezing the necklace. “Are jewels—mererocks—worth selling out those who want to see Destin off the throne?”

Tempest tore her hand from his and suffered a flash of pain as his claws scoured her palm. “He has not bribed or threatened me with anything,” she retorted, feeling her own anger rising. How dare he? The choice to marry the monster king hadn’t been a snap decision. It had been long and thought out. Even thinking about it now made her sick. “The jewels were a betrothal gift. I brought them here to use them for my own purpose.”

“Which is?”

“Tothwartthe king! You know well thatyour wayisn’t the only way to bring change,” Tempest retorted. “You must have heard what people have been saying within the palace walls. There are more than a few of your followers who accept your plans because nobody else has given them a less violent option.” She lifted her chin. “We’re going to give them one.I’mgoing to give them one.”

He scoffed. “What, by whoring yourself out?”

Her hand flew through the air, and her palm connected with his cheek. He rubbed his jaw but said nothing.Bastard. Trembling, she took a step closer to the kitsune, hurt raging through her. Every interaction with the man repeated itself—bicker, flirt, grow close, insult one another, fight, repeat. She was done with it.

“How dare you?” she whispered, so angry she couldn’t scream. “You know nothing about me. You know—”

“Not meaning to interrupt,” came a silken, slithering voice.Damien.

Pyre growled, shooting a baleful look toward the doors. Tempest glared at his profile. Her chest clenched. She pressed her lips together, worried the pressure behind her eyes would manifest into ugly tears. Her uncles were right. The heart was traitorous. One could only trust their head and their kin.

“The gathering has begun, Pyre,” Damien said.

She swallowed down her pain and faced the ballroom. Damien stood in the doorway, light haloing his form. The dragon king took another step onto the balcony, and paused, his gaze taking her in. A tear leaked from the corner of her eye, and she wiped it away, embarrassed. Damien’s expression darkened.

“What have you done to her, Fox?” he hissed.

“It’s nothing,” Tempest rushed out, as the Jester glanced back at her. She avoided his gaze and stepped toward the dragon. “What do you need—”

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