And here we were, just getting to the interesting part.
“Ah,” Falion mutters under his breath, “I didn’t realize harpy was on the docket for the hunt.”
I’m fairly certain I wasn’t meant to hear that.
I’m also fairly certain I need to do something. Fast. Before Keir makes good on his threat to remove the danger Belladonna presents.
I curl my fingers through his, leaning into his shoulder so he can’t make any sudden moves without dislodging me.
“Beloved,” Mistmark stares at his bride-to-be like a man eyeing a blank chessboard, and plotting his opening move. He offers her a hand. “Would you care to join us?”
“Alas,” Belladonna replies, though her tone belies the smile pasted on her lips. “It appears we’re not going to be having that afternoon to ourselves that we hoped for.”
Dogs bay in the direction of the stables.
“A true shame.” Mistmark finally lowers his hand as if realizing she doesn’t intend to take it. “What’s going on?”
“The huntsman just sent word. The white hart has been seen in the forests near the lake,” Anissa tells him. “Malechus wants to start the hunt early.”
She, at least, sounds excited.
“Early?” Falion looks at her sharply, as if she just tossed an explosive spell into the middle of all his carefully laid plans. “What do you mean by early?”
“Now.” Belladonna doesn’t bother to hide her dislike of him.
This presents a conundrum.
Am I Team: Belladonna? Or Team: Falion?
I could also be convinced by a fairly weak argument to join Team: Sword Match To The Death between the pair of them, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s some serious silent challenges as to that affect being thrown between them.
“I need to change into my riding leathers,” I say, pushing to my feet. I shoot Keir a warning glance. “Saddle my horse for me?”
That ought to keep him busy.
He looks amused.
Until Belladonna links arms with me. “I’ll escort you back to the court. I need to get rid of these shoes.”
“Of course.” Just what I want. Another moment alone with Her Iciness.
“Just make sure you return her,” Keir tells the Blood Lily, and if I thought she and Falion were preparing to throw down their gauntlets, I’m fairly certain he just took it to another level because Belladonna squares her shoulders like she’s facing an entire cavalry by herself.
“Wouldn’t dream of doing anything else,” she purrs.
And then she hauls me toward the house, with Anissa scurrying along on our heels.
“Enjoying yourself?” Belladonna whispers as we cross the lawn.
“The best part was when you showed up,” I admit. “I get the feeling you’re not overly fond of Falion.”
Interestingly enough, her cheeks turn red.
“If you think your precious prince will save you,” she hisses, “then you should think again.”
I grab her wrist. “I don’t think Keir will save me.”
“No?” There are dark shadows beneath her eyes. “You think I’m fool enough to imagine last night was happenstance?”
“Last night?”
Belladonna leans closer. “Tell him to keep his filthy claws out of my dreams, and I won’t have to strike back. Now do what I asked. Kill Mistmark and we won’t have a problem.”
She stalks away.
Anissa gives me a pained smile. “It’s the wedding. She’s on edge.”
I rub at the knotted curse suddenly writhing in the center of my chest. “You have terrible taste in friends.”
Anissa gives a sad little shrug. “I know. But someone has to be there for the Evil Queen. She’s not all bad.”
Horns suddenly echo through the air.
Dogs go wild in the distance.
I shake my head. “A rousing endorsement.” I see Belladonna shoot one last vicious glance over her shoulder. “I think you’re being summoned.”
Anissa flees after her mistress as though she doesn’t want to be punished by lingering.
I decide to test the theory that Keir can hear me. “What. Did. You. Do?” I growl in his direction.
There’s a long moment with no response, and then I can sense him inside my head. Hot possession. The scent of burning amber. A very smug sensation, somewhat akin to a cat purring. “I told you. I will take care of it.”
“Stay out of my head.” I turn for my chambers. “You’re going to get me killed.”
“Never,” he says.
And then he’s gone again, and I hate the fact that I feel a little alone.
12
The hunt went overlong, and somehow, the white hart managed to escape into the swampy fens to the north of the court.
The huntsman was confounded. Its tracks simply disappeared into the swamp. The dogs ran around in circles. And nobody got to kill the beast.
“It just… vanished,” the huntsman finally admitted.
I caught a glimpse of the look in Keir’s eyes as he watched Malechus rant and track mud through the edge of the swamp, until he was forced to finally concede and send us all home.
I didn’t dare ask him if he had done something.
As if in retaliation, Malechus is in a rare good humor tonight. He calls for more wine. More mead. More music. He will have his glory, no matter whether he must wring it from us in blood.
I dance and dance until my feet ache.
There’s a wildness to the music that brings a rush of blood through my body. Or maybe it’s the company. Keir spins me in his arms, again and again, until I’m dizzy with it. For once we have this one night in which there is nothing to do beyond enjoy the pleasures to be found. There are too many curious eyes upon us, and one must make certain appearances if one is to be beyond suspicion.
“I need something to drink,” I plead as the music lulls.
“I’ll be back.” Keir bows with a vicious smile. “Don’t fall in love with any strangers until I return.”
I watch him go, slightly bemused by his good mood tonight.
Maybe it’s you. Maybe he’s enjoying himself because he’s with you.
The thought sours my mood a little.
I turn and almost walk right into Rhea.
The second I see her, her kohl-rimmed eyes bright and malicious, my heart skips a beat. “What are you—?”
“A little gift for
