He rubs a hand over his mouth as he strolls toward the window. "I’ve been told you are getting close to Prince Luther as well. The walls in this kingdom have eyes."
Michae stands tall near the door, shrugging when I glance his way. I turn to Jasion, who remains with his back to me. The wind howls bitterly outside. The storm may have passed, but even with the fireplaces, these large rooms and halls never fully warm up. What I wouldn’t give for my electric blanket and an outlet about now.
"I'm not following your point?" I play the person he expects of me.
"Of course not." He pivots toward us, the material of his long mage-skirt flaring around his ankles. "Many who come to the kingdom to work for the princes dream up ideas of how to stay here longer." He closes the distance between us. "You're a pretty girl who I'm sure spreads her legs easily, but—"
"Don't speak to me that way," I snap, squaring my shoulders, facing this mage. I don't give a shit who he is, I have powers too, used them with the king's mother in Ash Court, and I won't bow down to this prick.
He raises a brow and doesn't show a hint of being taken aback by my retort. He's good, I know that, and he’s rattled me, but I won’t show it. No matter how much my heart hammers in my chest, how much my knees shake.
"Remember your place," he says calmly, like I have no control of myself.
Fire lashes over my chest that he says that to me. Fucking asshole.
"I witnessed the tension between you and Ahren last night, and I'm here out of the goodness of my heart to help you."
The moment between Ahren and I on the bridge flashes in my mind, the time when he tore my heart to shreds. Jasion had been watching us? The prick!
I scoff a bit too loudly, which has him straightening his spine.
His eyes narrow at me. "I realize I'm wasting my time, so I'll make this short." He steps closer to me, as does Michae from his spot by the door.
A shiver worms its way down my spine, but I won't retreat, no matter how desperately I want to. I loathe how close Jasion stands in front of me. It’s intended to intimidate, and for that reason, I dig in my heels and raise my chin to face him straight on.
"Ahren and the princes are royal. They have slept with many commoners like you in the past, but that is all you are to them, little girl. Ahren needs someone stronger by his side. Someone with the ability to guide him, someone with a royal bloodline. You are not worthy, and I recommend you pack your bags and leave before it's too late."
My blood boils, rage pulsing in my ears. I want to wipe the smug grin off his face. "You're a petty asshole, but let me give you a piece of advice while we're sharing. Ahren loves women way too much, so if you think you have a chance in his bed, then don't waste your time. He'll reject your ass so quick, you won't know what hit you."
I suck in each sharp breath, my pulse raging in my veins. This isn't like me, but right now he has me so angry, a faint thread of power sweeps over my chest and down my arms like it did back at Ash Court. What would he do if I tossed him through a window?
My lips quirk into a grin.
His face flushes red, shoulders rising.
Oh, shit, I definitely hit a soft spot.
The air thickens in the room. Michae clears his throat uncomfortably, while I wonder if I can even draw on whatever power I have before this mage attacks.
Jasion's hand lashes out and snatches me by the throat. He's so fast, I barely have time to raise my hands to stop him. Iron fingers squeeze, and the pain is excruciating, like he might tear my head right off. Panic slams into me as I glare into his darkening pupils. Michae rushes to us.
Jasion hurls his hand in the guard’s direction, and a spray of powder splashes Michae. He flies backward, colliding into the wall.
I dig at Jasion's fingers around my throat, my lungs burning for oxygen. This isn't how I was meant to die, and with fear curling around me, I can't even focus on my power.
I strike my hand at his face and claw my fingernails down his cheek, breaking the skin.
He growls and throws me aside with such strength, my legs crumble under me and I smack the ground with my hip hard.
Scrambling backward, I don't feel the ache; only how fast my heart beats, how I was stupid to think I stood any chance against this monster. I’m gasping for each breath, my gaze never leaving him.
He turns to me with fury burning in his eyes. Blood drips down his cheeks from the two scratches I gave him. The bastard deserves so much worse.
Nostrils flaring, he comes for me, fist raised. His face darkens, and he resembles a demon in that moment, ready to strike me repeatedly until I can’t take another breath.
I frantically dig my hand into my pocket for the ruby, my only thought to escape, to get out, or even call the fairies. I don't know exactly how to do that, but it doesn't stop me from trying. Power erupts deep in my chest.
But he moves too fast, and panic takes me.
I cover my head, cowering, the stone clasped in my fist.
Someone darts into the room in a sudden flash.
Deimos.
Oh my god, thank you.
He snarls and leaps onto Jasion's back, locking an arm around his throat and wrenching him backward.
Jasion jerks his head back, his hand diving into one of the small leather bags hanging from his belt. But when
