Page 35 of Fae Crown

I released the pressure over his head until I cupped it gently.

He snorted a hiss.

He canted his head to one side and then the other in a gesture that made him as much man as snake.

I wouldn’t, of course I wouldn’t—or at least, I didn’t think I ever would. But I bared my teeth regardless.

Before I thought it was settled between us, he turned and slithered down the bed the way he’d come.

I sat on my haunches for several long seconds before sliding the dagger back into its sheath. Both hands were at my heart, at the puckered scar Rush had given me, when a woman’s scream woke the night.

9.VILLAINS SCARCELY DISGUISED

ELOWYN

The Great Salon of Delicacies was abuzz with chatter as I and the other surviving contestants stood around awaiting the queen’s arrival, I to attempt to murder her with eye daggers—one day I’d succeed in killing her—the others for the commencement of the first event of the Nuptialis Probatio.

The only man to wait with us was Rush, cordoned off from the rest of us by actual rope, one made of that same glowing dark shadow as the chains the queen had used to bind us in the throne room on the day of my stabbing. I suspected the forced separation was solely to keep me away from him. She seemed all too eager to shove him into the arms of the other females, especially Natania. Really, whoever would do, so long as she wasn’t me.

The shadowy rope draped between silver posts that had been cast to resemble miniature trees, beautiful even as they caged Rush. He sat alone atop a fancyhigh-backed chair, posture impeccable and strong, staring stoically out the windows at the gardens below.

I’d already tried, unsuccessfully, to engage him in conversation. Not only were his replies to me abrupt, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes, as if he didn’t want me to notice whatever turmoil must brew behind those moonlight eyes of his.

Not only did I want to see it, I wanted to share in it with him. To share the burden.

He wouldn’t allow it. I was back to being a stranger to him.

The unisus Azariah was there too. Predictably majestic, his coat was a thick, shiny, pure white. His mane and tail were braided, and when they caught the sunlight, they shone like rainbows. Kept pulled tight to his sides, his wings glittered. Even his horn appeared polished.

He, too, stood apart from us competitors, albeit without a divider between us. His muscles twitched continuously, even more so whenever he allowed himself to meet my eyes from across the room. That such a magnificent magical creature should live in constant fear of the queen only made me hate her all the more. Every time I started in his direction, he casually moved away. An open friendship with me obviously wasn’t worth whatever backlash he’d receive from the queen.

Octavia Lily Rose, however, shared no such compunctions. The young woman, who wore her innocence like the others wore their potent perfumes, stuckto me like glue. She leaned closer to me to draw my attention from Rush. I couldn’t look away, even when he wouldn’t meet my expectant gaze. I could scarcely believe this was the same man who’d made love to me just the night before last, who’d declared his undying love for me and sworn he’d never forget me, no matter what.

So much had happened since then. So much had already been broken.

“How do you think they died? Who do you think killed them?” Octavia asked in a low voice tight with nerves. She clutched her delicate glass of “morning” rose liqueur with white-knuckled fingers.

Slow to look away from Rush, I answered, “I’m not sure.” It was only a minor untruth. I didn’t know who the snake was, though if someone at court would give me straight answers I could probably find out. There couldn’t be that many male snake changelings among the nobility, much less ones whose sons had been roasted and served up for dinner.

Octavia shuddered and took a sip, her eyes slightly glazed. “Who would even do such a thing?”

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