Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,103
safe if this all goes wrong, and if you decide to come with us, stick with them, they will help you.” Sharing a look with Revna, I know what I say is true, she will keep them safe. She knows I wouldn’t bring anyone to her unless they were important to me.
Lord Bastian and Ellis share a nod, and I realise they probably know each other. Leaving the two of them in my companions’ safe hands, I move away, my mates and Naril close behind. I’m overwhelmed with what I’ve learned.
The priests are out of control. Wilson is gone, but we think he’s alive and helping the poor in the city. Jayne escaped, but I don’t know where she is. Aileen is here and secure for now. I don’t know where Jacob is. Over and over, my mind whirls, trying to pick everything apart, but there’s just so much I don’t know. I still don’t understand why the king has brought me here. Hands land on my shoulders, pausing my slow, mindless walk. Looking up, I see Tor staring down at me, his frown making him look more fierce than usual, but I can feel his concern for me through our connection.
“Breathe,” Tor instructs. “We will figure this—”
“Sorry to interrupt whatever this is,” a voice interrupts as a shadow falls over us, “but I was hoping to get a dance with the beloved.” The voice sneers the Mother’s name for me, and I spin around to face the speaker. Rhydian stands several feet away, but before I can even blink, my elves are between us, creating a protective, snarling barrier. Even Naril has stepped between us, his hand on his scabbard at his hip. Grayson and Tor move in at my side, the bond in my chest vibrating with their anger. Whatever is wrong with Rhydian, they can feel it second-hand through me, and they don’t trust him. I don’t blame them, I don’t trust him.
Tilting his head to one side, he watches me, those strange black eyes flicking down to the pulse point in my neck before slithering back up to my face. That’s when I realise he’s waiting for a response. Does he really think I’m going to dance with him? Raising a single eyebrow, I quirk up the corner of my lips in a semblance of a smile. “That’s very kind, Your Highness, but I’ll decline.”
The prince laughs that strange, reckless laugh from before that had the king on edge, and it makes the hair on my arms stand on end. I never had much to do with Rhydian before, but this feels…different. Cocking his head again, he smiles and holds out his hand, ignoring the snarls of the elves standing in front of him. “I’m afraid that’s not an option if you want your prince to survive.” My heart twists in my chest at his threat. I fight to keep my face blank, but I must give something away because he knows he’s won. “Shall we?”
With no other option, I place my hand on Vaeril’s shoulder. When he turns with a frown, opening his mouth to argue, I shake my head, begging him to understand. I touch Eldrin’s arm as I walk past him.
“Clarissa.”
Grayson. Looking over my shoulder, I see my mage watching with sharp eyes, but while most may think he’s asking me not to go, or warning me to be careful, I know otherwise. Stroking the bond, I send him calming thoughts and nod my head slightly, acknowledging what he’s trying to tell me. He’s close to euisa, the magical killing trance, and if he was to be triggered here with so many innocents around…I can’t even imagine how much devastation he could cause.
“I won’t leave your sight,” I promise, knowing that at this point, it won’t take much to push him over the edge. With my eyes, I try to indicate for Tor to help Grayson before turning to Rhydian, wanting to get this over as quickly as possible. “You have one dance.” Taking his outstretched hand, I ignore his smile of victory and try to tell myself I haven’t just played right into his scheme.
The music changes as Rhydian leads me out onto the dancefloor, the other dancers instantly making space for us. My skin crawls where I touch him, and I literally feel repelled by him.
I can feel the eyes of the whole ballroom on us, watching our every move, and as his hand lands on my waist, I swear I