Keeper of Storms (The Fallen Fae #3) - Jenna Wolfhart Page 0,50
much trouble to stop me from leaving?”
“Marrying you is scarcely going to ‘so much trouble’,” he whipped back. “He said a few words and gave you an ugly gown. It took ten minutes of his time.”
Eislyn snapped the book shut and glared up at him. “You can go now. I’ve found the library. Your assistance is no longer needed.”
His smile widened. “Is the little fae giving me a command? Does she think she’s mighty and important now, just because the Emperor made her his wife? You fae and your silly little ideals. You’ll never survive this place if you don’t see exactly what you are to every single one of us: nothing but the dirt beneath our boots.”
Her hands fisted by her sides, and the electric magic in her veins sparked back to life.
He chuckled. “Careful there, little fae. Your magic doesn’t work on me. Even if it did, you wouldn’t want to try. The Emperor might have married you, but he won’t let you run around attacking his closest friends. Shoot your ice at me if you like. But there will be repercussions.”
The ice died on her fingers in an instant. Eislyn didn’t entirely believe the Fomorian. Not that she trusted the Emperor to keep her safe, but because she knew there must be some reason he’d kept her alive in the first place. He needed her for something. She was certain of it.
That didn’t mean she wanted to test her little theory.
“You know,” the Fomorian drawled with a wicked grin, edging closer to her. “I couldn’t help but notice our Emperor never took you to bed. It would appear you are as fresh as your snowy home.”
A chill swept down Eislyn’s spine. “That’s none of your business.”
“It isn’t?” He grinned, stepping closer. “One might think he isn’t interested in having you. Which means any of the rest of us are free to have you for ourselves.”
Eislyn’s heart thumped. She backed up against the bookshelf and pressed herself against the leather spines. “Stay away from me.”
He tipped back his head and laughed. “You think you have any choice in the matter, do you? It’s just as you said. You’re our prisoner, little fae. I can do with you what I want.”
Tears filled her eyes as terror sparked in her veins. She cast her gaze around, desperate to find a way to escape. The Fomorian snatched her wrist in his hand and pinned it against the bookcase. His eyes flashed with a dangerous glee that made Eislyn’s stomach turn. She shut her own eyes against the sight of them, her breath and body as still as stone.
The door slammed open.
Oh god, there was another one.
“Dearg,” the Emperor barked. Eislyn shuddered, coming undone. He was the last one of them she’d hoped would find her like this, helpless and pinned against a shelf of books, in a place she should have felt safe. “Get the hell away from her.”
“What? Why?” She heard the frown in his voice, even if she could not see it on his face. She couldn’t bring herself to open her eyes.
“She’s mine. Not yours,” the Emperor growled.
“You haven’t taken her,” he argued. “Everyone knows about it.”
“Dearg, I swear to you that if you do not let her go and step away from her right now, I will rip your limbs from your body.” Emperor Lir’s voice was low and dangerous. Eislyn opened her eyes just a slit to stare at him. He practically trembled with barely-controlled rage. That was…unexpected.
Dearg released the grip on her wrist. She sagged in relief, despite the tension still throttling her heart. “Forgive me. I didn’t think it mattered.”
“She is my wife,” the Emperor bit back.
Dearg chuckled. “In name only. The only reason you married her is because—”
“That’s enough, Dearg. You’re dismissed.”
With a heavy sigh, Dearg pushed away from Eislyn and stalked out of the library. At long last, she finally relaxed. Sagging against the bookshelf, she slid to the floor and wrapped her trembling arms around her legs. That had been far too close. Terrifyingly close.
“Why are you in the library? You should be in your quarters.”
“I like books.”
“And so you risked your life for them?”
She flicked up her eyes. He stood quietly beside the door, frowning across the room at her. “I wasn’t aware that’s what I was doing.”
He scowled. “You’re a fae. You aren’t safe wandering around all by yourself.”
“Aren’t you the Emperor of this place?” she asked with a tired sigh. “I’m your wife. Shouldn’t that count for something?”