I lock the room behind me and toss the key into a plant in the corner. My skirts rustle around my ankles as I sweep through the halls towards Altair’s rooms. I knock lightly on the door.
“Come in,” I hear Altair call.
I slip through the door, closing it softly behind me. Altair is standing at the balcony, staring out over Desmarais. I sidle up beside me. He hardly glances at me, instead taking a sip of wine from a goblet. I look out over the glowing city, like stars in the night sky.
“We’ve begun preparations for the wedding,” he says, his voice stiff and subdued.
I glance curiously at him, waiting for him to elaborate. “Excellent,” I say.
He’s silent for a moment, eyes roving over the city. “Things will be different soon Verity. You need to be prepared.”
Different? I furrow my brows. “What do you mean?”
Altair looks at me for the first time and I see the shadows behind his eyes. “I flew to Canes today to meet with an old friend,” he says.
“I didn’t know you had any friends,” I tease, smiling.
He eyes me, tilting his head curiously. “I met with King Moritz because everyone in Alnembra, including you and I, will die by the end of the week without his help.”
I widen my eyes, feigning fear. “What are you saying?”
“The Bloodbane have summoned a horde of fifty thousand demons. They’re marching towards us as we speak.” He takes a long drink, draining his goblet.
I narrow my eyes. The horde isn’t supposed to move until Sadal knows I’ve failed. I shove aside my suspicions so I can continue to lead Altair on and fill Verity’s shoes. “Will we be able to beat them?”
“Perhaps,” he murmurs. “My old friend offered us an army on one condition.” Altair purses his lips. “You must abandon completely your studies into the Bloodbane. You have to swear it. The Fae in Alnembra and throughout the continent are worried by your interest. I’m worried.”
I feign innocence and surprise, widening my eyes. “Of course,” I say. “Anything for you.”
Altair looks at me curiously. “I’ve ordered dinner, care to stay?”
“I was hoping you would ask.” I give him a simpering smile and thrust out my breasts, drawing his eyes. “I know things between us have been strange, and I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” He cocks a brow. “I’m not sure you know the word. Every time you apologize you toss it back in my face with new anger.”
I keep my face a mask. It seems that Verity and Altair have been on bad terms, a fact that hopefully I can work to my advantage. “I’m a slow learner,” I say, wrinkling my brows pitifully.
There’s a knock at the door and a servant rolls a cart into the room. I wait in silence as the servant lays out dinner on the table and bows out. I let Altair hold my chair out for me before sitting, casually grazing his thigh with my fingers. His eyes drift over me as he takes a seat across from me.
“So, Canes,” I say, fishing for information as we eat. “You’ve never spoken of Moritz before.” I arch my brow, hoping I’m right.
Altair pours me a glass of wine. “No, we’re not exactly the definition of friends. But Canes has always been good to Alnembra, and vice versa. I knew I could count on him, he’s a thoughtful man.”
“That’s good news,” I say, storing this information away for later. If I fail here, I will at least have information that might be vital to this war. Though I know I can’t fail here.
I try to coax him into conversation, but Altair is subdued. I purse my lips. Since Maaz became obsessed with Altair and Alnembra, all I heard for hundreds of years was of his insolence and his similarities to Sadal. But all I see here is a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
I sigh and push my plate away. Altair looks up, chewing slowly as he eyes me. “Is something wrong?”
I look away. “I came here to reconcile with you, but it seems you’re not in the mood.”
“Reconcile?” He cocks a brow. “It was my impression that you apologized, and I accepted. Reconciliation accomplished.”
“I meant to reconcile in other ways.” I trail my fingers over my collarbone and down the slice of skin to my navel.
His eyes follow the soft movements of my hand and I see a flash of desire in his eyes. I rise, swaying around the table towards him. He watches me silently, and I wonder if I wore my Fae ears if I could hear the pounding of his heart. Smoothly, I drape myself over his lap, running a hand along his strong jawline. Altair inhales sharply and he grips my ass, holding me close.
“Forgive me,” I whisper, leaning towards his lips. “For all of it.”
Wordlessly, his lips close around mine in a passionate kiss. I lean into him, my breath stolen away. Desire flares in my body, a sensation that I haven’t felt for many centuries. I curl into him, hardly caring that I’m pretending to be the mortal. I don’t care how she kisses him or how she touches him, I want him for myself. I rake my fingers through his hair, pressing his face closer to mine as he deepens the kiss.
His tongue darts into my mouth and I hiss excitedly. I bite on his bottom lip, tugging on it as we kiss. His hand slips up my stomach towards my breast, easing over
