Page 69 of The Fated and the Damned
Kitarni circled to my side. “What if we can avoid bloodshed with the humans? Come to an accord? Humans can be reasoned with—more so than Sylvie, at any rate. If they can see it’s in their best interest to remain neutral, then we may be able to stay their hand.”
“And who would you send to negotiate on our behalf?” Farkas folded his arms. “We have neither the time nor the resources to waste on diplomacy.”
“I disagree,” Nora said, standing. “Diplomacy is the best policy. I will meet with their leader. Allow me a small contingent of guards to treat with them under a white flag. They cannot harm a messenger and if they do…” She shrugged. “You will have your answer.”
Kitarni stiffened beside me, but she said nothing as she watched the exchange. How could she? There were no special allowances in war for anyone not a king or queen, and we had neither in Mistvellen. All were equal in blood and war. Nora would play her part, Kitarni and I would play ours.
“Nora,” Farkas said quietly, placing a hand on her arm. “You could be killed.”
“And why should my life mean any more than the thousands of others in this castle? I will do this for my people. We might win the battle against the Dark Queen, but a skirmish with humans could bring about the downfall of all witchkind and táltosok. Mistvellen would perish, as would all the clans and covens beyond. We must stop this.”
Iren rose, bowing before the lord. “I will go with her. You have my oath that I will defend her with my life.” I blinked, noting the way Kitarni’s brows shot to her hairline. Iren’s face flickered with irritation, her lips thinning. “I know we haven’t always gotten along, Kitarni, but believe it or not, I care about Nora, and I care about the future of all witches. Your mother is right. If the humans involve themselves in this fight, it will only end badly for all of us.”
I looked at Kitarni, who nodded her acceptance. Iren nodded back, a glimmer of mutual respect seeming to pass between the women. I had to hand it to Iren, she had done her job well in getting the covens here, even if Viktória had turned out to be a backstabbing snake.
My father glanced between Iren and Nora, considering. He could have ordered them not to go, should he really wish. I wondered if a part of him cared for Nora deeper than any friendship would allow, but what could have been would never come to pass now. Not with my marriage to Kitarni. Not when his best friend had been the love of Nora’s life.
I closed my eyes, daring to dream of a day when my people were safe and the ones I loved didn’t have to stick out their necks willingly on the chopping block. Nora was wise to take preventative measures. One battle with humankind today could start a war we would never win. Negotiating with them was the only way, even if it broke my heart to see my wife suffer over it.
“Go,” Lord Sándor said at last. “You have my blessing.”
“And the terms?” I asked, leaning my palms against the table.
My father frowned. “Humans respond to power and wealth like any other beast when presented with a free meal. Wealth, territory … faith. Whatever must be done, we will make them an offer they can’t refuse.”
The castle thrummed with activity as witches, humans, and táltosok sprinted through the corridors. Most would be headed for the armouries to be outfitted for the coming battle, but many had other parts to play to defend our keep.
Healers bustled around gathering tinctures and bandages, and witches trained in medicine and healing spells headed to the castle gates where their magic or mending would determine the fates of the wounded sure to come.
I passed them all, grunting as my shoulders were bumped time and again by panicked citizens, but I didn’t care. There was only one thing—one person—on my mind right now, and it didn’t matter if the war knocked down my fucking door, I would have her to myself before it ended.
I had never needed anything so much as I needed her touch right now. The sun splintered through the open arches in the corridor, sending ruby rays dancing over the floor. An omen for the blood sure to be spilled in mere hours.
The dark army was close now—so close I could hear a droning like that of a swarm of locusts, come to destroy all in their path and spread their plague upon the land. It took me a moment to realise the sound was the cultists’ chanting. A low buzzing that made the hairs on my arms stand on end and my stomach curdle in disgust.
And always, my eyes never strayed far from the forest. I hadn’t forgotten about the creatures that dwelled within its depths. Sylvie was no fool. She had her cultists and she’d set the humans on us, but there more dangerous things would rear their heads tonight.
What they didn’t know was how dangerous Kitarni and I could be and what tricks I had up my sleeve. I was past the point of playing nice. We may have needed it, but diplomacy was not in my nature. My blades would speak my truth. My magic would offer no mercy. Before the night was over, I would bathe in the blood of my enemies. And I knew the things that lived inside my wife and me wouldlikeit.
The door to my chambers slammed open and closed as I crossed the threshold. Kitarni jumped as I stormed through, her eyes widening as I grabbed her by the nape of her neck and pulled her to me, kissing her like the world was ending.
Maybe it was. There were no promises in war. No guarantees. So I’d give my everything to this woman, to the only white light in this sea of darkness.
She groaned, wrapping her legs around my waist as I hoisted her up, her fingertips sliding beneath my shirt and up my chest. “Dante,” she said in a husky voice and it only made me more desperate to plunge inside her.
I pressed kisses beneath her ear, licking and sucking as I trailed down her neck. She wriggled beneath my touch, panting, and I grinned against her, whispering in her ear, “Such a needy, wet little cunt. What would you like me to do to it?”
“Fill me up. Show me that you own me, Dante.”
My hands roved down her dress, cupping her breasts, growling at the fabric blocking my access. “This,” I said, turning her quickly, “will simply not do.” I shifted her hair to the side, untying the stays of her gown slowly.
“Dante,” Kitarni said slowly. “If you don’t hurry up and fuck me now, I’ll be forced to satisfy myself.”
I breathed against her neck, making my little hellcat shiver. “So bossy. Touch yourself, Freckles. Tell me how wet your needy little cunt is.” I allowed her enough room to bend and slip a hand under her dress, her soft whimpers making me even harder. “Show me.”
She lifted a hand up and I leaned forward, sucking her finger into my mouth, then licking my lips. Fuck this gown. I quickened my pace, unravelling the ribbons at her back until the dress slipped from her shoulders and she stepped out of it in all her glory.
Her long curly hair rippled down her spine, whispering against the small of her back. For a moment I stepped back and enjoyed the masterpiece that was my wife. Every curve an artful stroke, every freckle or scar a mark in time of a painter’s beautiful creation. Even the three black scars shimmering across her spine were beautiful, though the thought of who’d caused them made me want to tear heads off.
