“Is this true?” I asked, noting that Blane and Ciara stood. I held my hand up, stalling Ciara from arguing the accusation.
“It is,” he said. “I am fae. I cannot lie. I saw the dragons do it myself.” I glowered into his tri-colored gaze and snorted.
“Hmm, and which village was this?” I countered. Jenson’s gaze searched mine, and I noticed the sweat beading at his brow. He fidgeted as his nostrils flared. His gaze swung to the ladies, and I narrowed mine on him. My hand came up just as he revealed a detonation device.
I sifted, appearing in front of him as time stopped around us. Slowly, I opened his shirt, discovering containers of iron, along with a long, wicked-looking blade etched in a substance that pulsed with power. I sent the blade sailing toward Zahruk’s feet, then I emptied the iron cylinders and sifted back to my chair, returning time.
Jenson’s hand clamped down on the device, and he stared down at his chest. I smirked coldly, watching the horror of his predicament sinking in. I stood slowly, stepping closer to him while the men came to attention. They saw the situation and began closing in around us as they took in the scene. I waved my hand, sealing Jenson and me inside a protective bubble.
“Are you aware of the consequences of your actions, mage?” I asked, somehow keeping my tone calm and collected.
“We will destroy you, whore.”
“You can try, but you will fail. I have no intention of giving this world to you or your kind since you seem hell-bent on destroying what my mother built.” Jenson attacked me, and I deflected it, grabbing his arms and crossing them over his chest, holding him from behind. “My men will torture you for information, but do you know what you’ll no longer need?” I whispered huskily against Jenson’s ear as Ryder glared at me from the other side of the barrier.
“We are murdering your people, Goddess of the Fae, and that weakens you, doesn’t it? You feel them dying, and it opens you to pain. We’re just getting started, and already you’re losing strength, aren’t you?”
“Oh, sweet boy, I am never weak enough to be taken down by the likes of you,” I said, ripping his arms from the sockets, blood coating my face and the barrier. I released the protective bubble, watching as Ryder walked toward me, staring, his breathing labored in anger. “The mage is all yours, husband. I’m finished and famished. Toodle-oo, dick,” I said, waving my fingers at Ryder as I nodded for the women to follow me. “I hope the cook made the honey cakes we requested.”
“I want chocolate-covered hearts. It’s so gross, but I can’t help myself,” Olivia chuckled.
“Let’s get you a heart then, shall we?” I offered, feeling Ryder’s heated gaze on my back. We exited the throne room the same way that we’d arrived, ignoring that the men existed, which, besides being obtuse assholes, was how they were treating us.
Chapter Ten
We’d filled the kitchen full of women, and we were in our element. Finger foods and cake bites were covering the counters while the cooks watched us like we’d gone insane in the pantry. Apparently, royalty didn’t eat in the kitchens of the stronghold. Champagne was flowing, and everyone was laughing. Olivia burped and then blanched as she held her hand over her mouth in horror. I shook my head, grinning.
“I am so sorry; it’s as if my body isn’t mine anymore.”
“You’re pregnant; it’s like a tiny mutant is now in full control of your body. I remember how it felt to have my three little monsters within me. I miss it, ya know?”
“Yeah, agreed,” Ciara snorted. She shoved a cake pop in her mouth and then slammed her hand down, sending flour sailing into the air. “Oh, this is so good. I think I just came.”
“Well, at least someone is coming today,” Lilith chuckled before her dark gaze rounded, shocked at what she’d said, causing everyone to laugh.
“Did you see Ryder’s face? How are you not terrified?” Icelyn