Page 41 of The King of Frost and Shadows

I glanced at them and back to his face, staying in place. My stomach grumbled, but I kept my face indifferent. “You didn’t finish breakfast?”

“I saved some for you.” He shrugged and closed his fingers over them. “But if you don’t want them—”

My stomach growled even louder, answering for me. On Earth, I probably would’ve passed on food handled by someone else, but down here, food was scarce … at least, for me.

His face softened, and he held out his hand again. “Here. Eat. I’ll bring you more later.”

I didn’t hesitate this time and took the mushrooms from his hand. I hadn’t eaten anything yesterday after my escape attempt. Maybe that was Tavish’s way of punishing me, but I didn’t think so. I’d been in so much pain that I hadn’t been hungry.

As I took a bite, I noticed that Finnian had two swords on his belt. Normally, he carried one around like Tavish, but last night must have put everyone on edge. Fear had a way of making people irrational and causing more strife, but I knew better than to say anything.

Or did I?

“You think one sword isn’t enough if you’re attacked?” I arched my brow.

He rubbed his hands together like he was preparing to fight. “Oh, Lira. You have no idea what’s in store for you.”

My mouth went dry, and my bite of mushroom lodged in my throat. I coughed, choking, just as Tavish hurried back into the room, wearing his normal black tunic, leather pants, and boots. His unique, intricate sword was back on his hip, and I was relieved to see he had only one.

He glanced at me, then at Finnian, and asked, “Are you coming down again with me?”

Finnian mashed his lips together as if he wanted to hide his real expression. “I have some things to attend to, but you’d better hurry. When Eldrin learned Lira wasn’t back in the holding cells, his shadows started to get the best of him. We don’t want him to come here and see her in yet another one of your mother’s gowns and me sneaking her mushrooms.”

“Fine.” Tavish exhaled and opened the door. “Just make sure you’re there for dinner.”

My head tilted back. After Tavish’s last interaction with Finnian and me alone in his room, I’d never expected Tavish to leave us alone here willingly. Granted, my dress had been stuck around my waist with both my ass and vagina on display.

“Don’t worry. I will be. Nothing will get in the way of food and me.” Finnian rubbed his stomach.

“Okay.” Tavish stepped through the door and faced us. “And if she gets stuck in any sort of compromising position, let her figure a way out of it herself. I don’t want to walk in on anything like before ever again.”

“Oh, believe me.” Finnian laughed. “I learned my lesson. I had to special order the blasted chessboard to replace the oneyou broke.That’s why I brought her clothing,so there’s no chance of her dress moving to expose something you’d find inappropriate.”

Now, the two of them were talking as if I wasn’t in the room. I fisted my hands, allowing my nails to dig into my palms. “Excuse me, but if Finnian and I want to be in any sort of position, that is none of your concern.” Not that I wanted to sleep with Finnian, but it was the damn principle of it! I made my own choices, not some arrogant Unseelie king who wanted darkness to cover the world.

Tavish blurred, flying toward me. He landed right in front of me, placed his hand around my neck, and pushed me against the wall. Darkness circled us, blocking us from Finnian.

This was the moment he’d kill me … but he didn’t choke me. Instead, he moved his hand and my chin up, forcing me to look into his eyes.

“You won’t be with Finnian or anyone else,” he growled. “I couldn’t handle it, sprite. We have enough stacked against us—don’t make things harder than they need to be.” His face softened, and he released his hold, his hand running down my arm. “Please.”

All my anger vanished because, for a moment, he looked broken. Instead of an arrogant king, a man stood before me, close to baring his heart. I wanted to prod and get him to open up to me, but we’d both regret it later. The last thing I needed was him acting cold and distant because I’d pushed. “I’m not, but don’t talk about me as if I’m not in the same room.”

“You should go to breakfast. You’re taking way too long. Eldrin is probably on his way as we speak.” Finnian cleared his throat, making his presence known. “Besides, what happened was innocent, and I understand what’s going on,so I won’t do anything to make either of you feel uncomfortable again.”

Tavish took a step back, and the darkness that surrounded us eased. He took a deep breath. “I know. Just be careful with her. All right?” He looked at Finnian.

“Of course I will.” Finnian bowed his head.

Tavish nodded and met my eyes before leaving Finnian and me behind.

The moment the door shut, a void filled my chest, and I wanted to go after him. The nicer he acted toward me, the harder it was to remember all the bad things he’d done.

None of that was my priority. I would be heading into the gauntlet, and I wasn’t sure how to survive a battle with one flying fae, let alone a full-on war.

“All right, Lira. Go change.” Finnian gestured to the clothes on the bed.

Not wanting to argue and curious about what he had up his sleeve, I quickly took the clothes into the bathroom and changed into a tunic and leather pants.

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