Page 79 of The King of Frost and Shadows

I blinked. “Lorne?” I must have misunderstood him. He thought I wanted a kiss from the prisoner I’d been chained to and who hated my guts? “Have you lost your damn mind?”

“Knock, knock, wildlings!” Finnian’s voice boomed from the other side of the bedchamber’s door. He flung the door open as he continued, “See, I knocked this time instead of—” He cut off as he and Caelan froze in the doorway.

Tavish didn’t move, his face locked on mine as he commanded, “Leave before I make you.”

Caelan’s face tensed. “What is going on here?”

My patience snapped. I glared at Caelan and said with heavy sarcasm, “Tavish just informed me that you chained me to Lorne because I have the hots for him.”

“Hots for him?” Caelan scratched the back of his neck. “You’re a water Seelie, not fire.”

Of course, they wouldn’t know what that meant. Fine. I’d make it clear for him. “Apparently, I want to fuck him.”

“I knew it,” Tavish hissed and released me. “I can’t waituntil the gauntlet is over to kill him. He will dietonight.” Then he soared across the room to the door.

“Tavish, she didn’t mean—” Caelan started, ready to block him, but Finnian stepped out of the way, waving his friend on.

“Remember, he’s got the hurt leg!” Finnian called out as Tavish vanished from sight.

What thehellwas going on? My stomach clenched, and I prepared to go after Tavish to stop him.

26

LIRA

My wings expanded behind me as I readied to push through both men and the guards. I wasn’t sure how I’d accomplish that, especially injured, but I’d flutter across that ocean when the time came.

Caelan shoved Finnian in the chest and growled, “Are you trying to get our people to turn against him?”

“Of course not.” Finnian gasped and placed a hand on his chest. “Why would you even suggest such a thing?”

“Because you allowed him to leave the room,” Caelan gritted through clenched teeth. His normally calm demeanor had vanished, and his face twisted into anger or annoyance … I wasn’t sure which. Not that it mattered.

“I did?” Finnian dropped his hands to his sides in shock, but the corners of his mouth tipped upward like he was struggling to hide a smile. “Why would I do that? Him attacking Lorne before the gauntlet is officially over would set things back for all of us horrendously.” He pointed in the direction Tavish had left. “You better hurry and get him before he reaches the prison. He’s drunk, and you know hedoesn’t fly well that way. I’ll stay here and determine what happened with Lira.”

Caelan huffed. I waited for him to beat the hell out of Finnian, which he sort of deserved, but Caelan shook his head and said, “I’m not sure I should leave you with her, but I know you won’t stop him. You’re forcing my hand, and I don’t like it. The three of us will discuss this once I retrieve him.” He turned and flapped his wings then quickly disappeared from sight.

Some of my tension eased, and my wings responded by lowering into a more comfortable position. I waited for Finnian to turn around and comfort me, but he moved methodically like Tavish wasn’t in danger of doing something stupid.

“Make sure if anyone arrives, they knock on the door before entering. I need to have a private conversation with Lira.” Finnian took the time to glance at Torcall and Finola, making it clear he expected them to obey.

I tried to keep my hands steady as I took my glass and refilled it with water. I hadn’t processed what had happened between Tavish and me because so much had been said, and he’d acted like a different person … until he didn’t. I wished I’d allowed him to kiss me because I wanted to know what it’d feel like to have his lips on mine and how he’d devour me, but not like this. Besides, what sort of person was I for wanting the man who’d kidnapped me and planned to kill me? Yet I could see how he struggled with the decision and wished he could change his mind. Worse, I believed him.

The door shut, and Finnian’s face became uncharacteristically solemn.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “What happened, Lira?”

“I … I don’tknow.” Needing a moment to collect my thoughts, I chugged another glass of water, enjoying the refreshing sensation as it slid down my throat. Still, I worried that Tavish would get to Lorne and do something before Caelan could intervene. “Will he be okay?”

“Caelan?” Finnian’s brow arched. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

I glowered, wanting to smack him. “Him and Tavish.”

“Tonight isn’t what I’m worried about.” Finnian strolled to the table and plucked the glass from my hand. Before I could retaliate, he poured some spirits into my glass and took a sip.

“Please tell meyouaren’t going to get drunk.” I was exhausted, and all I wanted to do was curl up in bed and rest. The gauntlet had taken everything out of me. “I don’t think I could handle it.”

“Intoxication isn’t my goal, but I suspect it wasn’t Tavish’s either.” He took another sip and sat down in one of the wooden chairs that had been painted like shadows to blend in with the room’s ambience. “Mind informing me what happened so I understand how I need to support Tavish?” He scanned me from head to toe. “I can see it’s not irreversible yet, which is surprising.”

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