Page 36 of Royal Captive
“You’re going to … teach me, then?” I clarified, trying not to let my rising hopes get away from me.
Fallon giggled again. It was an annoying sound that lacked any sincerity or joy. Unlike Eve’s, which was loud and unapologetic.
“We don’t have time to teach you, silly. Why do it the long way when we have magick?”
Oh. I supposed that made sense.
“Well, magick and a few other …physicaltechniques,” Fallon purred, her eyes slanting as they ran up and down my torso.
“You drugged me, and tried to trick me,” I accused her, backing up in the bed and away from her until my back hit the headboard. Her eyes followed the sheet’s progress as it slipped lower down my waist, and I snatched at it.
“Like I said, we are trying to help you,” she huffed, lips pursing with displeasure as I kept my private parts covered. “It would have made it easier. Once you share a connection with a full-blooded fae, you can understand the language.”
I looked over to Feyanna. But what for? She didn’t know what Fallon was saying, did she? Her head tilted to the side when I met her gaze.
“You’re saying if we … you know, then I’ll be able to understand the fae language?” I clarified, turning my attention back to Fallon. I didn’t think magick worked like that, but then again, what did I know of magick? All I had were instincts and power I didn’t understand or know how to control. Here in the fae realm, I was completely out of my depth.
“Good boy,” Fallon drawled, smirking at me.
Again, I shot a glance at Feyanna, jerking a bit when honest distress shone back at me. Her lips pressed together so tightly that they were merely a thin line, and anger brewed in the pits of her silver eyes.
I closed my own eyes, needing a moment. A year ago, I would have been trying to convinceherto bedme, and now I was the reluctant one. What would Eve think? We were far from each other’s first lovers, but things had changed. In order to make sure we both survived, we might both have to do things we weren’t comfortable with.
And the fae princess was quite lovely, and so, so willing.
If I had to sleep with this fae princess in order to help accomplish my mission for Fennis, didn’t the end justify the means? I would do anything to save Eve’s life and honor, even if it meant sacrificing my own. What little left there was of it.
No.No.
I ran the smooth silk of the sheets between my fingers, letting the watery texture soothe away my doubts. I couldn’t agonizeover the decision. I had to do what needed to be done in order to survive, and ensure Eve survived.
“I agree,” I said tersely, my eyes down on the sheets.
Fallon grinned, leaning down and grazing her lips against my ear.
“Ja ta eu …” she breathed against my skin, and I couldn’t help the shiver of need that went through me. She was beautiful, she was offering me something I needed, and gods above, I’d gone so long taking what I needed from syncopates and whores before Eve that I was flattered to have her honest attention.
No one had ever shown me I was wanted except Viana. And Eve.
Eve. Do it for Eve. You need to know the language.
“Va ta fa fo!”
I blinked as Feyanna bit out a retort at Fallon, storming out of the room and slamming the door behind her.
Fallon’s fingers under my chin brought my eyes back to her as she swung herself up onto the bed and straddled my hips.
“Ignore her. She’s just pouting that father killed her human lover. Let’s get started with lesson one.”
I closed my eyes and tried to relax.
Thirteen
EVE
That evening, a fae male came to the room and let me out, barking at me to get changed. The same purple garment I’d worn yesterday hung in the corner and snatched it. At least I knew it was clean and how to put it on.
A knock on the door startled me, and I hurriedly finished fastening the dress, but no one barged into the room.
