Page 20 of The King of Frost and Shadows

“Stop goading him,” Caelan scolded and glared at Finnian. “We have much more important things to discuss now that Princess Lira has returned.”

My body stiffened. Hearing him call mePrincessdidn’t feel completely wrong, which didn’t make sense. Maybe being here had made me more susceptible to manipulation?

“Things we probably should discuss with her,” Caelan added while adjusting the white fur collar around his neck.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I focused on that pain instead of allowing my expression to change. Clearly, Tavish’s plan to destroy me would begin soon. My heart ached.

“She’s not going back to the holding cell, and that talk will have to wait.” Tavish raised his head. “She’s been attacked twice in the last couple of hours. Because of that, she’ll be staying in my room with me, and my most trusted guards will keep watch outside my door. Our important message is to convey that Lira is not to beharmedby anyone. That her fate lies solely with me, and anyone who gets in the way of that will die by my hands.”

Finnian somehow smiled bigger while Caelan blinked.

“You want her to stay in your room?” Caelan swallowed and paused like he needed to search for the right words. “Your prisoner, theSeelie princess, will stay here with you because guards want justice, and you’ll kill anyone who threatens her. You must understand how this looks.”

“It isnothingmore than me protecting my prize until the time comes for me to avenge my parents’ deaths and reclaim our rightful land.” Tavish’s face hardened, and darkness crept around his body. The temperature dropped several degrees. “We can’t allow her to alert the Seelie before we’re ready. I couldn’t be sure that I’d locate her on Earth until I actually went there. Now, we must prepare, but her life cannot continually be in danger. Do you understand?”

This version of Tavish scared me. This was the man who had cut down one guard and almost slit another’s throat, and he was staring at me with so much hatred that my chest constricted. He blamed the Seelie fae for his parents’ deaths and the loss of their lands, and that put me in the crosshairs. At least his motives made sense, though he was clearly misguided.

“Right, and if the dragon prince shows up at our door asking for his betrothed, should I bring him to your room as well?” Finnian leaned back on his heels, smiling ever so sweetly. “Then you could have all the heirs of your enemies sleeping in the same room as you.”

Tavish glared. “She still believes she’s human, and she carries a child’s toy as a weapon. I’m confident I’ll be fine.”

“And the dragon prince is not nearly as sexy,” Finnian added, winking at me. “Which also helps with that decision, right?”

My face warmed, and I wanted to disappear. Hearing him call Tavish sexy felt wrong.

A muscle in Tavish’s cheek spasmed, and he clenched his hands into fists.

“Finnian, stop.” Caelan rubbed his temples. “Though I don’t like the plan, Tavish is our king. Let’s resolve the issue of her safety so we can then deal with the Seelie. I’ll retrieve Torcall and Finola and bring them here to watch over her while we’re gone.”

“Excellent.” Tavish nodded. “And takehimwith you. I can’t swear that I won’t slaughter him if he remains.”

“I doubt slaughtering is what I’d witness if I were to remain.” Finnian chuckled. “You would probably forget I was here if I stayed quiet.”

Caelan’s charcoal wings fluttered as he exhaled. “Come on.” He marched to the door, dragging Finnian along with him.

When the door shut, leaving Tavish and me alone again, tension hung heavy over us. Once the guards were settled, Tavish would begin planning my future and the horrors that would go along with it. My mouth went dry.

Silence thickened, and finally, Tavish cleared his throat. “Why don’t you take a bath while I attend to … business.”

Yes, talking about my upcoming death outright would be in poor taste, though that was exactly what he was going to do.

“I’ll retrieve a gown for you to wear, though you must remain in here.” Tavish strolled to a door directly across from his bed and opened it. “I’ll bring you food when I return. You must be starving.”

I laughed bitterly. “So I can get clean and fat before you slaughter me like a pig?”

“A pig?” His brows furrowed. “I’m assuming that’s something from Earth?”

“Yes, a delicious animal that I like to devour each morning.”I tilted my head, letting my anger bubble out. That emotion I understood, whereas fear would lead me to do something more dangerous. “I’m assuming that won’t happen here, just like, you know, me not dying.”

Tavish flinched before his face turned colder. “I didn’t choose this life for us.” He took two large strides toward me. “You can thank your parents for this. I’m doing what I have to do for my people.”

“Sure, because as long as it’s for your people, that makes it okay.” I needed to hang on to my anger and let it burn inside me. “You do realize that, even if my parents did have your parents killed and your people kicked out of … wherever, I would’ve been only ten years old and not part of it, right?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Tavish shook his head. “Their blood and magic runs through your veins. It’s as much your fault as theirs—that’s the fae way. Never forget that.”

Hell, I didn’t even believe I was fae. But this was King Tavish’s kingdom, and his word was law. I wouldn’t have the privilege of having a jury hear me out.

“Just be thankful I’m protecting you now, sprite.” Tavish strolled to the door without even looking over his shoulder at me. “Take a bath, and I’ll get a servant to bring you clothes and ensure the guards are here before I leave. Do it now before I change my mind.”

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