Page 116 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
I suppress the urge to put a hole in his chest and shift my gaze away from him.
He leans on a nearby tree casually. “Shouldn’t you rejoice? Our Rhianelle just saved you from that horrible prison.”
Only to enslave me.I grind my teeth together. His presence is quickly becoming a thorn in my side.
“I know you saved her earlier but why do I get this uneasy feeling about you?” Red keeps talking and whittling. Both sounds are grating on my nerves. “My instincts are never wrong.”
I inhale deeply, summoning patience I don’t have. I finally flick my gaze at him.
Red is still giving me his disgustingly cheerful smile. The corner of my eye falls on the final craft in his hand.
A goddamn stake.
He toys with the weapon in his fingers. “My sweet queen has been through a lot. It’d be great if you could be nicer to her.”
Something tells me he will make me if I don’t. Should I decide to massacre the elves, this talkative rabbit is someone who might actually have a chance of putting up a fight.
Red’s eyes narrow at me with a challenging stare.
“You’ve embarrassed her twice now. I keep count.” Threats lace every word that comes out of his mouth.
So, stop me. Kill me. Anything.A part of me wishes this male elf could save Rhianelle from me tonight.
Red suddenly rises to his feet. “It’s only been a few days so I’m going to give you an asshole pass for now.”
Wait, he’s not going to defend her?
“Last piece of advice, vampire.” He turns to me before leaving. “Do not underestimate my queen. One does not live with gods and monsters without learning a trick or two.”
I don’t understand a damn thing from his mouth.
“Is it true?” I ask him. I hate my voice the moment it comes out of my throat.
Damn Red gets my meaning instantly.
“That she was in my bedroom a week ago? Of course, it’s true,” he says brightly.
I can’t fight the involuntary growl rumbling from my throat.
“But not for the reasons you think,” the knight adds with a low laugh. “She was there to kill me.”
The shadow lengthensand I am in my element once again. Dirt and sweat disappear from my body with a snap of my fingers. Another neat gift from the sacrifices that made me, some beast of faerie origin.
I immerse my hands in the wooden basin, running the water over my skin. The dark ink of the Arawynn bond on my wrist shimmers brightly. My humanity in exchange for the Fae King’s life. It’s not a terrible bargain.
If only it was true.
My fate is bound to hers. The young Balthazar told me to accept it.
I will not.
I pull the cloak tighter around myself though I feel no cold. With a deep breath, I enter the tent. It’s pretty much decorated with the same furnishings from our wedding night.
I lay down the armor in a corner of the room. Light, compact, a marvelous thing of deadly beauty. The craftsmanship alone is something to be admired. However, I still don’t understand why I picked it up. It’s not like I plan on staying long in this new world to use it. I’ll go back into the dungeon after tonight.
“You’re back.”
I whirl to the melodious voice behind me.
