Page 115 of A Bride for the Winter King
Iris raises a hand in the air and wiggles her fingers at the Shadow King in a sassy, impertinent wave. “Hey, Damian. Long time no see.”
The shadows around Damian swell and writhe along his skin as he considers the naked huntress in a new light, and he quickly presses his mask back in place. “How did this happen?” he asks.
“I don’t know. According to Sara’s research, Lori and Iris look the same because her grandmother was somehow infected with Iris’s blood upon her death, but we don’t know much more than that.”
The room settles into an awkward, miserable silence. Damian shifts uncomfortably, his eyes averted as he avoids looking at Iris. The shadows around him twist and pulse, mirroring his unease.
The soft sounds of shifting feet and the constant drip of water from the broken pipes whip my heart into a frenzy, each drop a relentless reminder of the chaos we’re engulfed in. The rhythmicplopof water against the cold marble echoes through the room, amplifying the oppressive silence.
Damian finally clears his throat, breaking the tension. “Lori?”
Her eyes water, her confidence shattered, replaced by a trembling uncertainty that hangs in the air like a heavy fog. “Hey, boss.”
"Lori," I murmur, reaching out to touch her bare shoulder, overwhelmed by the slight shifts in her expression that reveal who’s truly in control. “I love you.”
She places her palm over mine and gives it a sad squeeze.
Damian rakes a hand through his hair, pulling at the roots. “Fuck. I don’t know much about blood magic, either. We need a witch.”
The meaning of his words sinks in, and I bite the insides of my cheeks. “I’m not willing to strike a deal with Morrigan?—”
“Not Morrigan,” he interrupts. “I wouldn’t trust her with this, either, but her grandmother might help us.”
Iris raises one brow at that, her arms crossed over her breasts. “Are you saying you know where the Old Queen is hiding?”
Damian clicks his tongue and angles his face to me. “I didn’t spend decades hunting for Morrigan without covering my bases. But Mabel isn’t exactly in the business of granting favors. We’d have to barter, and she drives a hard bargain.”
“Can we trust her?” I ask.
“I think so. Mabel has a large family to protect, many of them mortal. I don’t think she’d cross you on purpose.”
My jaw clenches, but there’s no doubt in my mind we need to do something drastic. And quickly. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 47
Marassa
LORI
Fighting Iris for control is exhausting. When we’re both too tired to truly hold the reins anymore, our shared senses become dull and painful, and just keeping our eyes open demands a buttload of energy.
We’re at such a crossroad, now, our body curled around itself, waiting for the rematch as Damian instructs us to dress and get ready for traveling. I obey in a robotic fashion, each movement dragging on like I’m navigating a murky lake.
When we woke up this morning, I let Iris believe she was in control only to keep my strength and warn Elio. She was eager to get some time alone to practice and access my magic and skills.
While we were in the shower, she quietly ran through possible violent scenarios, plotting the best way to kill Elio. His touch repulsed her, so she distanced herself mentally to avoid revealing her true intentions. I took advantage of the moment, disrupting her plans before she could act on them.
I’m damn proud of myself, but terrified.
“I died too young, but the curse has allowed me to possess my successors for a reason. The Gods must believe I deserve a second chance, or they wouldn’t have made you,”Iris whispers.
Your curse made me so I could save Elio from this dreadful fate you inflicted on him.
“Let’s agree to disagree, sister.”
Don’t call me that.
“Why not? We’re twins. Stranded in time, maybe, but twins all the same.”
