Page 85 of Marked By the Dark Lord
“You,” the Dark Lady said, crooking a finger at me.
Slowly getting to my feet, I walked back down the aisle, staring straight ahead. I avoided looking at Kraw’ok, knowing his smug look would do nothing but ignite my rage again.
He’d won. His comments had provoked me past the point that was acceptable. Now I would pay the price.
“You have my apology for my actions, my lady,” I said, bowing my head as I reached the group. “As well to you, Aurr’av.”
The Mirgave captain glanced at his lady, who tilted her head slightly.
“No offense taken,” the captain said gruffly, though the cobalt fire that burned in his eyes said otherwise. He stepped back and,along with the other foot soldiers, withdrew toward the door, leaving the four of us.
“You broke the rules of hospitality and used magic on my lands,” the Dark Lady said.
“I am sorry for that,” I said respectfully. “It won’t happen again.”
“Of course it won’t. But the damage has been done.” She turned to Kraw’ok. “Go now while my patience with you is still somewhat intact. Don’t think I’m stupid. I know what you did. I’m tempted to deal with both of you, but protocol states you were the victim. Begone.”
“Of course, Lady Mirgave,” Kraw’ok said. Then he took Mila by the upper arm and dragged her down the aisle.
I watched her go, something dark and angry stirring in me. Something I knew I wouldn’t be able to contain for much longer.
“I’ll come for you,” I mouthed at her before I could stop myself.I swear it.
Then they were gone.
Chapter Forty
Korr’ok
The ominous silence lingered as the doors closed behind my brother and a woman who, at the worst time possible, I was coming to realize meant more to me than I’d ever suspected.
A woman who I would go through hell to be with again, as I had just vowed. It was a vow I would keep. A vow she wasworth. I might have marked her as mine at the start of it all, but I wanted her to be mine now in so many other ways. Ways that would send me back to a place I’d vowed never to step foot in again.
House Duloke.
“You used your magic in my halls,” the Dark Lady said, settling back onto her throne, the fires burning blue on either side of her, a surefire sign she was not impressed.
“I did, yes,” I admitted. “I lost my temper and let it get the better of me. Not something of which I am overly proud of.”
My blunt admittance and refusal to try to dodge her charge caught Lallandri’av by surprise. I could see it in how shestiffened and her jaw worked, though most of her was still hidden behind her magic.
“You’re an intriguing one, Korr’ok,” she mused. As she leaned forward, she exposed the perfect lines of her face and midnight skin, leading back to her wondrous mane of hair, the strands a voluminous deep blue that rippled and practically glowed of its own accord.
“Not really,” I replied courteously. “I’m just not interested in politics.”
“You are a Sidhe,” she countered. “That comes with the territory.”
“Life is a lot more fun when you don’t play the game.”
She laughed in a frosty tone that echoed off the walls. “Oh, really? And what do you call what you were doing in The Place Behind on Dannorax’s court? You played your own game there. Punishing those you wanted. Including the half-breed.”
My eyes narrowed. “How did you know about that?”
“Word travels fast.” She refused to say more.
“Perhaps it was a game,” I acceded. “But it was not politics like this. I despise it. Having to pretend to feel one way, to gain the loyalty of someone needed to betray a third party, all while gaining solely for yourself as best you can? Manipulative and entirely devoid of any sort of respect.”
“You would be very good at it.”
