Page 110 of Kiss of Fire

He made the smallest gesture, and the jet shards flew at the satyr.

The first struck him in the neck, cutting off his scream. The second struck his chest, flaying skin to bone and driving itself into the heart. And the third embedded itself in the abdomen, twisting and jerking upwards to inflict maximum damage. Blood spurted obscenely and Raya caught a glimpse of glistening intestines before the bestial crumpled to the floor.

The violet gaze flicked towards her.

“Does his death bother you, child?”

Aelfric’s query sounded casual but again she felt an undertone. This was a test of some kind, but she wasn’t sure what.

The crystal hum in her mind crowded out her thoughts. She looked at the destroyed body and felt nothing. No compassion, no sympathy. Bellemar had killed Tor, she reminded herself. She shrugged.

“He deserved to die.”

Aelfric’s smile broadened.

“Welcome to my Royal Court. These are my lords and ladies. We are all very pleased to see you.”

Soldiers came to remove the corpse on the floor. A pool of blood remained, but Aelfric waved his hand and it vanished.

All around her, the beautiful folk were bowing their heads in her direction. She looked down at her soiled dress and filthy, blood-encrusted hands, and felt ashamed to be among them.

“Your majesty, please let me clean up,” she mumbled. “I am not fit to be in your presence.”

“All in good time. Let me see you properly.”

He stood and approached her, and the crystal jangle in her mind grew louder. It was hypnotic.Hewas hypnotic. He took her face between his long fingers and tilted it this way and that.

“Your ears,” he said abruptly.

Shit. Were they covered in eczema? She wanted to die of shame.

“It’s a childhood affliction…” she said hurriedly.

“I should say so. It’s clumsy magic, but strong to have lasted this long.”

She frowned.

“I’m sorry, sire, I don’t understand.”

“Your ears have been enchanted to appear human. That must have been excruciating at times, as they sought to resume their natural form. Did you not suspect?”

“Thisistheir natural form, sire. I’m half-human. I take after my father in the ears department.”

He stiffened, anger crossing his face. For a moment, he appeared almost feral. She swallowed, fear stabbing at her guts. Then he smiled patiently.

“Whoever told you that lied to you. You are not half-human. And your ears have been magicked to disguise your true nature.”

“I beg your pardon, sire?”

“You are full fae, child.”

She tried to make sense of what he’d just said. It wasn’t true. It couldn’t be true. Magda had said her mother had fallen in love with a human.

“No, that’s… that’s not possible.”

“Do you doubt me?” Spoken sharply. She quailed.

“No it’s just… how can that be?”

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