Page 25 of The King of Frost and Shadows

TAVISH

No matter what I attempted, I couldn’t get the image of Finnian standing between Lira’s legs with his hands all over her from my mind. It was seared into my memory, and my chest ached like never before. She was my enemy, my captive, the answer to getting our rightful kingdom back for my people and seeking justice for my parents’ deaths.

Yet, my heart pumped as anger warmed my blood, and I focused on that sensation. The anger comforted me because, ever since the day the Seelie royals killed my parents, fury had been my constant companion.

Rage had kept me alive, for my own people would’ve turned on me. The fury had turned me from a naive boy with hopes of uniting the fae kingdoms into a ruthless leader my people obeyed without question.

What made this situation worse was the fact that one of the two people I trusted most in all the realms had blatantly disobeyed me, and, of course, it had to be withher. I hated the thought of doing to him what I’d been forced to do toEldrin, but there could be no exceptions to the rules; otherwise, my people might attempt to revolt again.

“Tavish, be reasonable.” Finnian raised his hands, but the tan lacy fabric he’d ripped from Lira’s dress fluttered like a dragon breathing fire in the dark.

I wouldn’t allow anyone to speak to me this way. “Bereasonable?” The words raked across my throat, making me more tense. My wings spread out, emphasizing my size and power. I could feel cool licks of darkness wisping around me, ready to cover me and take hold while I tore him limb from limb. “I made it clear that she’smine. No one else’s.” The words had left my mouth before I could take them back. That sounded an awful lot like claiming, but I didn’t give a damn. She was mine to do with as I wished. Nothis.

She snorted behind me and grumbled, “I don’t belong to anyone but myself.”

Something deep inside meyanked, adding to my frustration, and I wanted to turn around and correct her. But first, I had to deal with Finnian.

The image of him between her legs popped into my head again without permission, and I punched him in the jaw.

His head jerked back from the impact, and he groaned. Still, bloodlust unfurled in my stomach, wanting more. He’d been all over her.

“Tavish!” Caelan exclaimed. “He wouldn’t disobey you!”

I chuckled darkly, shaking my head. “Do you think I’m a moron? You saw the same thing I did.”

“Her dress was stuck,” Finnian started, but his voice had my vision turning red.

I removed my sword from the sheath at my side.

Finnian’s eyes widened. “Listen to me.”

“Oh, I saw everything I needed to see to feel comfortable with this decision.” I readied to strike him, though I wasn’t sure what my plan was.

“Wait,” Lira gasped, grabbing the arm that held the sword.

That blasted jolt I experienced each time she touched me sprang to life. Her touch was like a warm twilight on a snowy day—something I used to enjoy as a boy when I’d thought the Unseelie and Seelie divide wasn’t so large. Now, it was a reminder of the foolish dreams I’d had long ago.

“He was helping me.” Her hands tightened. “Not—”

“Helpingyou?” I turned to her, and instead of an ache in my chest, she might as well have stuck me with a sword. Her attempt to defend him made the situation worse. “Sprite, if you wanted help likethat,then—”

“The dress got stuck on me.” Her cheeks turned a faint pink, which I’d never seen before. “I’d just gotten out of the tub, and in my haste, I didn’t dry off well. The material got caught around my waist, and I couldn’t get it down. When he walked in, he found—”

My blood boiled hotter than I’d ever experienced. “He walked in on younaked?”

Out of the corner of my eye, Finnian ducked, escaping my clutches. The wildling had used Lira’s distraction to get away, but that wouldn’t last for long.

“Blighted abyss.” Caelan closed his eyes. “I feel like we’re young winglings all over again.”

I pivoted toward him, readying to use my sword on Finnian again. I wouldn’t kill him … merely make him wish he were dead. And maybe cut his hands off so he could never touch Lira again.

He ran to the table that held my chessboard.

“Don’t make me do it.” Finnian arched a brow and rested his hands on the edge of the board. “Just listen to me.”

The imbecile knew that my games with Eldrin were important to me. I’d never won against him, and I studied my moves. This was the first game in which I was certain I would beat Eldrin, and Finnian knew it.

“Don’t you dare,” I seethed.

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