Page 51 of Beyond the Winter Kingdom
I stepped closer. “Do it. Or I tell them all what I know.”
She clenched her jaw. “Mighty balls you’ve got there, cat.”
“How big are yours, witch? Tossing the prince, the fae king, and his mate into a hell realm to be eaten,” I growled. “What were you thinking? I thought you were trying to stay under the radar?”
Her eyes flashed. “As I said, it’s strategic.”
I leaned in. “I’m his familiar, Amelia. He dies, I die. And as I said, I like the redhead. Make the portal, or explain to Kaia and Drayden why you won't.”
She turned away, shoulders rigid. “I knew you before any of those fools, Corvo. I thought you were my friend.”
“I am, and that’s why I’m warning you,” I said quietly. “Drayden and Kaia are on their way, and they’re not in the mood for riddles.”
Her grip tightened on the stem of her wine glass until a tiny fissure appeared, traveling up until it curved over the goblet. Red liquid seeped out slowly, spilling over her fingers like blood. “Let them come,” she said, voice low and vicious. “Let all of Faerie’s army come for all I care.”
I tilted my head. “Still holding that grudge?”
Her laugh was sharp and filled with bitterness. “Some debts age well. Like wine. Or poison.”
“Just don’t let yours kill the king.”
She set the glass down with a click. “I’ll make the portal.”
I swished my tail, wrapping it around myself. “Knew you had it in you.”
“I didn’t say I’d be nice about it,” she muttered, already moving to gather her tools.
“In all the years I’ve known you, no one has ever accused you of being nice.”
She waved sarcastically. “Bye, Corvo.”
“Your secrets aren’t doing you any favors, Amelia.” As I faded into shadow, I whispered just loud enough for her to hear, “You really should tell them the truth.”
Her only answer was the shatter of glass against the wall.
Chapter 14
Meera
With silent steps, we weaved between squatty pastel huts, their thatched roofs shimmering faintly under the moonlight. The ground beneath us was spongy and warm, like the soft moss that grew in the shade by the river’s edge, squishing slightly with every step we took. Shadows clung to the walls like ink stains—our best allies.
Until they weren’t.
The chirping started softly, almost like music, but quickly turned sharp and loud, a grating noise that made my ear ring and my jaw clench. Then the pastel creatures rounded the corner, moving fast despite their short legs. They poured into the clearing ahead, blocking our path. Their big sapphire eyes bled black as they watched us with unsettling focus.
The murder bears went from looking harmless to demonic in about two seconds flat. I would’ve been impressed if not for the fact they wanted to eat me for dinner.
The expressions on their faces twisted. Grins widened into leers. Their fur bristled, lifting away from their skin to become something closer to bramble. The shapes of their mouths, once set in endearing smiles, split to reveal rows of pointed teeth, now more piranha than plush toy.
“Shit,” I hissed, heart stuttering. The air was thick and sticky, clinging to my skin like syrup. “Did you see what just happened to their teeth?”
“And you wanted to stick around,” Sadie muttered to Damon.
“You’re the one that fell for the cute baby bear act,” he shot back. “Have some bedtime tea, why don’t you?”
“Shut up and keep moving,” Vareck ground out and then he tensed beside me. I could see the lines of pain around his mouth, the sweat on his brow. The shallow gash in his side from the Nameless was giving him grief, even if he was loath to admit it. “Head for the tree line,” he snapped, voice hoarse with strain.
More of them filtered from their little huts as we tried to make our way out, but too many had come. Our path was completely blocked, and there was no safe way to the trees.
