Page 46 of Immortal Sins
Jessa’s eyes are wide with more than surprise. She searches the room for something, and a shiver shakes her graceful body from head to toe.
Cole raises a hand in her direction. “Jessa stays, of course.”
Oz curls and uncurls his fist and gives Jessa, his hostage, a quick glance. “This wasn’t the deal.”
“You can’t keep a citizen of Faerie from me against her wishes.” Cole smiles with more teeth than warmth. “Jessa, do you wish to stay?”
Jessa gives him a quick nod.
Oz’s arms blur as though he’s about to shift and fly out the glass ceiling, but he turns to me instead. “Have you lost your mind?”
I tilt my head to the side. “Jealous? Are you the only man allowed to find mefascinating?”
The venom-coated words bring me back to that night in his cabin where he kissed me. I beat him at his own game. I used him while he thought he was using me, and I stole the horn. I’ve escaped his grasp now, and I will find a way to wrench Allie out of his toxic influence if that’s the last thing I do.
Oz gauges me for a minute, his gray eyes dark and dangerous. “Have you figured out his true motives, yet?”
I bite my tongue, knowing I shouldn’t dignify his efforts to turn me against Cole with a response.
“Oh, Miss Winslow…you’re even dumber than your sister.” The confidence written in the snide curve of his lips erodes mine. “Powerful, but dumb…doomed to repeat the same mistakes as their father.”
What the fuck is he talking about? What mistakes? I school my features into an unwavering mask, but fire swells in my gut. What secrets does Oz hold over my family? I don’t trust him one bit, but Cole’s ashen face tells me the dragon struck a cord.
Once again, the sting of magic prickles my skin.
What if Cole didn’t tell me the whole truth?
19
INDECENT PROPOSAL
Golden tapestries blur at the edge of my vision, and the palace’s walls close in on me as I bolt out of the throne room. Vertical stripes in the stained glass windows scintillate under the red Fae sun, royal prison bars meant to mesmerize the weak. The opulence of the decor suffocates me.
I wish I could remember the quickest way to a balcony, because I’m simply gasping for air.
“Jules!” Cole shouts, but I ignore him.
Fire magic writhes beneath my palms, begging to be set loose.
He chases after me. “Jules, stop!”
This time, his plea jolts me back to reality. The acrid scent of burnt clothes stings my nose, my control over the magic slipping. Cinders pepper the tunic I’m wearing, and the blaze will soon scorch my skin.
I spin around. “What was Oz talking about?”
Cole’s bare feet squeak against the checkered hallway as he comes to an abrupt stop. “Oz babbles.”
“No. Answer me.” I dig my fingers into his lower arm.
“Infernal magic.”
“Short answers won’t cut it. Elaborate,your Highness,” I clip.
He moves to tuck a curl behind my ear, but I slide back a few feet, daring him to try again. If he thinks he can sweet talk me into submission, he’s got a fireball coming for his face.
His hand hangs awkwardly in the air before he scratches the back of his neck. “Oz implied that I married you for your powers. He wanted to drive a wedge between us.”
“Half an hour ago, I felt fine—perfect even—but now…” I bring a hand to my chest, my breathing still ragged. Fire builds below my emerald pendant, oblivious to my commands. “That throne room is enchanted or cursed—or enchanted to feel like a curse.”
