Page 39 of The Crown of a Fallen Queen
“Inside a frozen labyrinth?”
A dimple appears on her cheek. “Haven’t you noticed? It’s springtime.”
Devi isn’t a rose waiting to be picked, but a carnivorous plant in a field of simpering flowers. She doesn’t want a man with titles or a polished smile. She wants the marrow. The kind of power that sinks into the soil and grows teeth.
A dark shard of me bristles at the chance to show her exactly how wild and beautiful a storm can be.
“Byron’s watching,” she mouths quietly.
“Where?” I tilt my head toward the sky, but she tugs on my coat lapels, scolding me.
Be still my heart. I block her path, trapping her against the hedge. “So you’re into me now?”
She loops her arms around my neck. “Only for appearances.”
I lean in just a little. Her smooth brown lips gleam in the light. “What if we catch feelings?”
“You said there was no chance.”
“We just agreed that love has no masters,” I remind her.
She digs her nails into my scalp. “If you fall for me, it’ll destroy you. So don’t.”
“Consider me warned.” My gaze dips down to her cleavage, to the smooth expanse of skin there, and I trace the constellation of freckles running down her collarbone. “But what if you fall for me, first?” I breathe, inches from her lips.
“Don’t worry.” She boops my nose with a finger. “I’d kill you before that happened.”
It’s a game. A good one. If I kissed her here, beneath the cedar hedge with snow crunching beneath our feet, I’m almost certain I could win.
Her clever eyes remain locked on mine, unyielding. I should walk away, but she’s just so damn magnetic. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t actually plan to marry me. She thinks she can back out when the time comes.
I’ll change her mind.
Given her electric personality, I’ll certainly enjoy the challenge.
Chapter 12
Style
DEVI
We’re nearly out of the labyrinth when Lori steps into our path. The shadow huntress is dressed in black leggings, a sports bra, and an unzipped hoodie, like she’s about to go for a run. The sight is jarring. Iris wouldn’t have been caught dead in lycra, and she wasn’t exactly athletic. It explains the difference in their bodies, though. Lori is built like a weapon, all lean muscle and sharp edges while Iris had been femininity and silk.
I drop Seth’s hand like I’ve been caught doing something shameful. Which is ridiculous. People are meant to see us together. That’s the whole point of this charade.
But no—apparently my instinct is to panic like a schoolgirl.
Gods. What are we, fifteen?Next thing you know, I’ll be doodling his name in the margins of my war plans. Mrs. Devi Devine. Disgusting.
I cross my arms, pretending I was never holding his hand. That I’m above all this.
“Hey. Can I speak with you for a moment?” Lori asks, eyes flicking to Seth. “Alone.”
He groans dramatically, like we’re star-crossed lovers being torn apart.
“Don’t worry,” she says. “I won’t keep her long.”
He mutters something under his breath and heads into the dining room.
