Page 66 of Dance with the Dragon Duke

Glen ignored her, reaching for the document.

Magistrate Balder pulled it out of his grasp. “Payment first.”

“I’m not signing anything!” Tomorrow’s hands made fierce fists at her sides.

Balder blinked owl-like eyes at her as though he’d only just realized she was there. “She has to sign, or the agreement is useless.”

“She’ll sign,” Glen said stiffly. He pulled his purse from his pocket, counting out several gold crescents.

“I’ll sign nothing,” Tomorrow spat. “I’d rather be married to a literal rat. And we’re related, you ratbag!” The very idea made her nauseous.

Glen rolled his indigo eyes. “Don’t be fussy. We’re related by marriage. Cousins wed all the time.”

“Not in the north.” Tomorrow placed a hand over her belly where a cramp was building.

Balder fidgeted uneasily. “Even if she does sign, what’s to stop her from protesting this arrangement the second we’re through? I can’t have her calling attention to this document you insist on having me witness or poking holes publicly in the scheme you’ve cooked up.”

“I’m sure he plans to kill me,” Tomorrow barked. “Are you all right with that?”

“She’s being dramatic, Balder. I warned you she might be. But don’t you worry. She’ll never leave this estate. I’ll be her husband, and I’ll keep her here where she belongs. You don’t want the duchy in the hands of a Seelie outsider, do you? When I’m a proper Lunar duke, I’ll see you handsomely rewarded for your loyalty to me.”

Whatever uneasiness the magistrate felt, his expression smoothed at that. “Let’s get on with it.”

“Right,” Glen said, turning on Tomorrow. “Where were we?”

He struck her with the back of his hand so hard she fell against the desk. She caught herself before she could smack her head. White sparks popped before her eyes. Seething, she held her weight there, breathing through her teeth, feeling like her next exhale might catch fire. She’d never wanted so badly to hurt another person before.

“That,” Glen said, straightening his cravat, “was so you’d know I won’t hesitate to hurt you if you don’t do exactly as you’re told.”

When she stopped seeing red, the rusty letter opener was there, inches from her fingers. His threat hung in her mind like a dark cloud. He’d tried to murder her so many times now. She’d spent the last year of her life terrified of death, frightened of him. Jumping at shadows, scared to walk the stars alone.

But Dark had made the stars so lovely, and she was no longer afraid of death. She’d found her courage again.

Glen prowled in closer. “Now, be a good little duchess and sign your—”

Thinking of her mate, Tomorrow grabbed the rusty letter opener and drove the bladed end into Glen’s thigh. He screamed at the ceiling. She ripped the blade out, and blood gushed from the wound.

Tomorrow swung to stab him again, but the horned fae scoundrel was on her, grabbing her arm, twisting back her wrist, prying the blood-soaked letter opener from her. She tried to kick him and caught only the edge of his trousers. He wrapped her up from behind and overpowered her, shoving her face against moldy wallpaper. Hall gaslights cast a reflection in the window, allowing her to see the room behind her.

“Fuck, fuck!” Glen stammered. He hobbled over to the magistrate and ripped the papers out of his hands. “I’ll pay you double if you’ll take a forgery!”

“Deal,” Balder said, and he put his back to him, allowing Glen to scribble their names against his jacket.

“There!” Glen said, limping forward. “Take the damned thing!”

Tomorrow squirmed, but the scoundrel’s hold only tightened.

Beyond the window, the war cry of a dragon boomed like thunder across the sky, so loud and so powerful it rattled the floorboards under her feet. Silence consumed the room. No one moved.

Face pressed to the wall so hard her cheek hurt, Tomorrow chuckled darkly.

* * *

Dark

Dark’s wings beat at the air. Ruby had got him most of the way, but he felt Tomorrow now, the pulse of their one-sided bond pulling him toward his mate. Ruby held on to his neck as a burst of speed sent him hurtling toward the lone country estate. He landed hard amongst the rolling, snow-covered hills. Horses whinnied uneasily from in front of the carriage in the drive. Dark breathed black smoke into the air. He opened his mouth and roared at the face of the building, their only warning.

“Give. Her. Back,” he demanded.

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