Page 144 of Ruthless Scoundrel
“Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” She shrugs. “It’s what we daughters of the dark goddess Ashai call ourselves because we will be her ruin and take her reign.”
That name.
“So, you already know?” I ask her.
“It took us a considerable amount of time to get this knowledge, but yes. We know many things, including her plans.” She turns toward the tavern we were avoiding. “Would you like to come inside and discuss it over a meal? Alyse had them make your favorite.”
“Alyse.” My voice breaks on her name and my throat tightens. “She’s okay?”
Belle seesaws her head. “More or less. She’s a bit deranged, honestly. Even darker than me.”
“Deranged!” I shout, unable to stop the fury of injustice. “Alyse is soft and kind and quiet. You know nothing of her! You were never there!”
“So quick to judge.” Belle stops on the steps and turns to me slowly, a broad smile plastered on her full lips, but pain lingers in her eyes. “I never knew you’d grow up to have so muchfirein you.” She reaches out and taps me on the nose.
A blink later, Jasper’s pistol is pointed at her face. “Touch her again,” he snarls, sounding more like a demon than a man.
Belle rolls her eyes, completely unperturbed by the threat. “Deranged doesn’t conflict with soft or kind or quiet. She is still very much the things you believe her to be.”
She turns back and ascends the stairs into the tavern, addressing the woman in black that guards the door. “Have their horse brought round to the stables. I’m sure Kor’Tar is looking forward to a new challenge.”
The woman in black dips her head, her eyes wincing in a smile. “Yes, Bloodletter.”
“She’s a beast of a thing. What’s her name?” Belle throws over her shoulder.
“Winifred,” I say offhandedly, following without really meaning to.
Belle holds open the door to the tavern. “You know, Alyse was on her way to the gate to welcome you. Friendly face and all to lighten the mood a bit. But you just had to run off. Now you get me, the one who knows nothing and wasn’t there.”
Guilt creeps in but I banish it. My assessment isn’t incorrect. Belle abandoned us, and despite saying she was trying to rescue us, she wasn’tthere.
Jasper looks at me questioning, and I nod. He keeps ahead of me slightly, like he’s anticipating an ambush, as we followScarlett.
We step through the door guarded by what I can only assume is one of the Spider Lord’s loyal followers, and the delicious promise of my favorite food overcomes my senses. My mouth instantly waters and my stomach growls at the scent of roasted goat, potatoes, garlic, and rosemary. Two massive legs of lamb, spit-roasted to perfection, sit on the single table set up in the center of the large room.
At one end of the table is the unmistakable Alastair Brunay, Lily’s guard and Cora’s son. Lily appears behind him as she comes to set a flagon down on the table. She stretches up and then Alastair leans down and…
Kisses.
Her.
“What thefuck?” I shout.
“Reina!” Lily wipes her hands off on her pants and runs toward me with open arms.
“What did I just witness?” I ask in much too shrill a voice.
Alastair ducks his head sheepishly.
“We’re married!” she exclaims, pushing Jasper’s attempt to shield me aside as she hugs me.
My body is a bit numb, and my brain is still checked out. “Oh, congratulations,” is what I manage. She was in love with Alastair for years before she swore off her infatuation and left him behind for school. I guess she didn’t swear off it hard enough.
Lily beams as she pulls back, then looks at Jasper. “Who’s this?”
I shake my head to get the blood flowing and rational thought moving with it. “Lily Hilden, this is Jasper Luvine.”
Lily reaches out to take his hand. He accepts the gesture, and she shakes it vigorously. “Nice to meet you! Hope you didn’t fuck my sister so hard she can’t sit for dinner.”
