Page 89 of Kingdom of the Two Moons

“Besides—” Riven allows some humor to enter his tone, even if it’s forced “—it was actually fun to see you enjoying yourself around those humans. Especially the women.”

“Oh, c’mon. Those trips to the human world were quite dreary,” Kyrith snaps, but a little of the darkness in his face vanishes.

Riven raises a brow.

“Okay, okay—cut me some slack,” Kyrith grunts.

“They loved you. They clung to your lips and other parts.”

“You got me. They aren’t too bad, those humans, I’ll give you that.”

“And what a dancer you are—I didn’t know you could move your hips like that.”

“Enough!” Kyrith growls, letting go of Riven’s shoulders and shaking his head, though he’s smiling to himself now. At the memory. Of the numerous times they hit the mortal clubs, searching every inch for Lyrian or his henchmen.

“No, you were the star of those clubs or discos, or whatever they call those pleasure dens. I think they liked you in black leather.”

Kyrith laughs now, truly laughs, then pats Riven’s shoulder. “You’re a bastard. But yeah, they actually do know how to have fun. Definitely more than our fae women.”

“Maybe their short lives make them daring.”

“Must be it,” Kyrith grunts his agreement.

Riven gestures to the door.

“I’m afraid I have to sit here some more until our master lets me out,” Kyrith sighs.

“You do realize that everything reacts to Caryan’s wishes, right? That includes opening the door so I could walk in in the first place. Which means I think you’re free to leave. That is, if you let Melody be.”

Kyrith frowns down at the last words. “Oh, don’t worry, I won’t touch her again, or Caryan will decorate the ground with my innards. He made that clear.” Kyrith pauses. He runs his tongue over his teeth, deciding on something. “Listen. I know I was an ass. It’s just—I didn’t understand why he brought her here. When I let her get dressed up, it was to provoke him. To bring him to dosomething. Anything.Maybe get him to chase her off. Or set out to find those relics. I don’t know what he’s waiting for.”

“I admit that I don’t fully understand his motivations either,” Riven says, peering up at the ceiling. “But Idounderstand why you did what you did, Kyrith. But she’s still a girl, and she doesn’t deserve any of it. She already had a hard time with Lyrian.”

Kyrith’s shoulders slump and he lets out a shuddering breath. “I know. She looks so much like Lara, though. I still remember that bitch and the sword in her hand, cutting right through Caryan like a damn butcher.” He shakes his head, clearing the image.

“We all do. But she is different,” Riven says carefully.

“I know. I felt it too—that light about her,” Kyrith agrees, voice raw. Again, he surprises Riven with his answer. “I won’t be too much of an ass anymore, I promise.”

“Good enough for me. Now come, you need a bath. You reek.”

27

Melody

Hewasn’t there the following two nights for the celebrations. Neither were Riven, nor Kyrith, nor Ronin, although I kept glancing over to the corner where they had sat the other two nights, almost expecting them to suddenly walk in here.

Maybe Ishouldbe glad they aren’t around. No, I shoulddefinitely.But a part in me feels empty when I still don’t detect Caryan’s power close by tonight, brushing up against my skin, that quiet, dark, yet soothing hum over me and all around, filling the rooms and my very soul. Without it, the whole Fortress feels hollowed out.

I’m mad.

I should be afraid.

I am. I’m terrified—and I’m not.

It’s complicated, and the more I think about it, the less sense it makes to me. I’m not really afraid of Caryan, although I know that all the others are—even the high lords to some level. I saw it in their auras.

“They won’t come,” Nidaw tells me, having suddenly materialized next to me.

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