Page 103 of Throne of Dreams
“I can do it.”
He sensed Maeve lingering just outside the doors to the balcony before she spoke. His gaze snapped up and there she was, as lovely as ever.
Her hair was piled on top of her head; he thought it might’ve been the first time he’d ever seen her with it up. With a hesitant smile, she tucked one loose tendril of hair behind her ear. Tight black leggings clung to the curve of her hips and legs, and she wore a cropped top that was so heavily beaded, it could’ve been mistaken for armor. Her eyes were still slumbrous and hazy with a sheen of lust, and he was taken back to that moment last night, when he’d fallen on his knees before her and bared his soul.
“My lady.” Brynn nodded in acknowledgment.
Lir and Merrick all stood as she entered the balcony, and Tiernan’s chest tightened when she surprised him by sitting upon his lap instead of the empty seat beside him. His arm instinctively curled around her waist.
Maeve propped her forearm up on his shoulder and looked up to the sky. “I can create a sphere of protection to encase the entire city while we’re away.”
“We can’t ask you to do that.” Tiernan shook his head, but she caught his jaw in her palm.
Her eyes, so much like a misty morning on the Lismore Marin, were soft when she said, “You don’t have to.”
The corner of his mouth curled into a smirk. “You do love your little bubbles.”
“Mind your tone, my lord.” She swatted at him playfully and nestled her tight ass against his thighs. His cock hardened instantly, wanting to partake in its own kind of banter.
Maeve’s thoughts were loud enough for him to hear.“Be nice, or I’ll make you pay for it later.”
His teeth scraped along his bottom lip, and her gaze instantly dropped to his mouth.“Is that a threat, High Princess?”
“No, my lord.”Her hand moved to his thigh. Squeezed.“It’s a promise.”
Merrick coughed. Loudly. “You two want to go mind fuck elsewhere? Some of us are trying to eat.” He held up his half-finished roll as proof.
Maeve flushed to a beautiful shade of pink, and Tiernan seized the opportunity to glide his hand from her waist, right in between her thighs. He cupped her, his thumb coming to rest on her clit, and she became very,verystill. She knew. Oh, she knew. One move, one shift, and he’d have her soaking those shiny leather leggings of hers in a matter of minutes.
Tiernan flashed an unapologetic grin. “Apologies, Mer.”
Lir leaned forward across the table and addressed Maeve, deftly deterring the conversation. “Will the sphere hold?”
She tilted her head to the side, a ghost of a smile upon her lips. “Do you doubt my abilities, commander?”
Lir’s silver eyes lightened. “Never.”
Her smile evaporated and determination hardened her voice. “It will hold.”
Ceridwen strolled out onto the balcony, carrying a small dagger in her hand. “I spoke with a healer in the Market District.” Her penetrating gaze locked onto Maeve. “He concurs with Brynn’s assessment of the blade used to pierce Maeve’s skin. It is indeed a form of dark magic.”
Brynn straightened in her seat and all traces of her previous humor vanished. “Did he elaborate?”
Ceridwen held out the dagger for everyone to see. “It was a spell of sorts, and it was used to imbue an ordinary object with potions. Similar to how a blade is dipped in nightshade, yet vastly different. This particular dark magic venom, as Brynn calls it, can cause paralysis while leaving the victim fully conscious and aware of their surroundings.”
Every muscle inside Tiernan wound tight with tension. He didn’t even want to think what could’ve happened if Garvan had used the dagger on the fae girl. It had been a stroke of fate that Maevefadedin at the right time to stop him. Then again, the bastard had stabbed Maeve with it instead. If it wasn’t for the bond he shared with Maeve and the necklace she wore overwhelming him with merciless vengeance, he might not have been able to get to her in time.
Merrick’s gaze slid to Tiernan. “If she can paralyze her enemies, who knows what else she’s capable of doing.”
“But the dagger.” Brynn crossed her arms, debating. “Garvan had to be up close to use it on Maeve. That won’t be so easy to do in a fight.”
“Unless that same venom is used on arrows,” Maeve muttered.
Fuck.
“Shit,” Merrick said, echoing his sentiments.
Lir scrubbed his hands over his face.
