Page 33 of The Shadowbound King

There.Let Lornlark’s daughter see exactly who controlled her fate. Turning from the mirror, I entered the main chamber.

Mirella lifted her head from the pillows. As I stalked toward her, she bolted upright, her yellow skirts puddling around her. She’d been lovely in the courtyard. With the dirt of the Edelfen washed away, she was stunning. Someone had dressed her like a lady of the court.

Ginhad.The steward was forever meddling. But I couldn’t deny his good taste.

Suspended from the ceiling in the swaying cage, Mirella looked like a rare, pretty bird. Or a prize fit for a king. She tracked my progress, a flush spreading over her creamy cheeks. A thick lock of wavy hair spilled over her shoulder, the vivid red like a waterfall of fire. Light from the chandeliers played over her collar.

“Elven gold suits you,” I said, stopping before the cage, which creaked as it rocked gently. I grasped one of the bars, stilling the contraption.

Mirella lifted her chin, defiance and more than a little fear in her golden eyes. She’d probably fooled herself into thinking the former hid the latter.

“Your king gave you a compliment,” I said.

If a glare could have killed, I would have expired on the spot. She braced a hand against the pillows, her creamy skin glowing in the chamber’s dim light. The chamber’s low light made the freckles across the bridge of her nose sparkle like gold dust.

“You’re not my king,” she rasped. “And I don’t care what you think.”

I nodded toward her neck. “I’m the only one who can remove that collar. Its magic is keyed to mine. So I suggest you start caring, Lady Mirella.”

“Why?” she demanded. “Will you set me free?”

“That depends on you.”

Little lines appeared between her brows. “I already told you, I don’t know anything about my father and the Autumn Court.”

An obvious lie. Walto had stolen the Kree. He was obsessed with legacy. His wife was dead, and he had no other children. And as much as he liked to pretend otherwise, he was mortal. He needed someone to keep the Kree safe if anything happened to him. Mirella was the logical choice. Theonlychoice.

I ran a hand down the bars of the cage. When the door appeared, I swung it open and stepped back. “Get out.”

She swallowed, eyeing the sigils around my throat. She dipped her gaze briefly to my bare chest before jerking it up again.

I reached into the cage. She gasped and shrank back, then yelped when I gripped her arm and hauled her through the door in a flurry of red hair and yellow silk.

“Don’t touch me!” she cried, struggling even as she pitched into my arms. Her hand glanced off my chest. Magicsnapped, energy stinging my skin. She sucked in a breath, then fought harder, kicking as she struggled to free herself. One small fist flew at my face.

I caught it, wrenched her arm down, and dumped her onto her feet. Her teeth clicked together as she staggered against me. Before she could punch again, I captured her wrists and pinned them behind her back.

“In Autumn, striking the king is a death sentence.”

She glared up at me, her earlier defiance returned in full force. “You touched me first, and for no reason!”

“I gave you an order. You failed to obey it. I’m not in the habit of repeating myself. It’s probably best you learn this lesson now rather than in front of the whole court. That said, if you prefer being disciplined in public, I’m happy to oblige.”

Hate shone in her eyes. But she seemed to realize she was caught—and that her breasts mashed against my chest. The pinkin her cheeks deepened. She swallowed, appearing to rein in her temper.

“I…apologize. I won’t disobey again.”

“I’m pleased we understand each other,” I said, releasing her.

She stepped back swiftly. Rubbing her wrist, she shot me a wary look. “Does that mean you’ll stop hurting me?”

If I’d been more careful, I would have never touched her. But it was too late. She’d obviously felt the connection between us. It seemed improbable Walto hadn’t told her about it.

“Your feigned ignorance is impressive,” I said. “You should consider a career on the stage.”

“What?” Bewilderment mixed with the anger in her eyes.

Doubt trickled through my mind. Walto couldn’t have prevented Mirella from knowing she was elfkin. But maybe he’d kept the details of her ancestry from her. Considering his own fascination with his family tree, perhaps he worried she’d be tempted to seek the source of her power.

---