Page 63
Story: Fate & Furies
‘Why else do you constantly seek us out?’ Thea mused, eyeing Kipp as he peeled off his gloves and tucked them carefully in the outer pocket of his dark tunic, a fleck of violet shining there.
‘Because you’re a fucking insult to the institute of Thezmarr,’ Seb hissed. ‘You’re fooling yourself if you think you’lleverhear the call of the Great Rite. A woman? Please. You don’t have what it takes. You’ve only got to where you are by flashing your tits and sucking cock —’
Icy anger flooded Thea, and she allowed herself a step forward. ‘I have saved your life several times now, Barlowe, and your gratitude has been less than underwhelming. So, I’ll remind you of a little vow I made to you once… When we faceeach other again, I’ll have you on the ground. And unlike me, you won’t get back up.’
‘The watery promise of a woman.’ Seb snorted. ‘I’m still standing,stray.’
‘Because I allowed it,’ Thea said darkly. ‘Walk away, Seb, before I rob you of your ability to do so.’
Seb opened his mouth to respond, but quiet fell across the ballroom, the shift in the atmosphere of the room halting him. The orchestra was taking their seats on the stage, readying to perform. With a glare, Seb backed away, returning to Vernich Warner’s side at the opposite end of the ballroom. There, the Bloodletter didn’t acknowledge his apprentice, but simply watched the festivities with his usual scowl.
Thea’s shoulders sagged.
‘Definitely should have let me shoot him,’ Cal griped, staring after Seb. ‘The things I’d do to see that prick in a world of pain…’
‘Well, you might not be there to see it, but I assure you, he’ll be in a world of pain,’ Kipp said, looking mighty pleased with himself.
Brows raised and suspicion prickling, Thea said, ‘What are you talking about?’
Kipp was openly beaming now. ‘Before we left Notos, the beautiful Wren supplied me with anintriguingsubstance… Widow’s Ash – I believe you know of it?’
Thea gaped at her friend. ‘You didn’t…’
‘Oh, I absolutely did.’
‘Did what?’ Cal demanded.
A hoarse laugh broke from Thea’s lips, and she shook her head in disbelief. ‘Let’s just say that poor Seb is in for a rough anditchynight.’
Cal grinned. ‘I like the sound of that.’
But Thea’s attention had moved to the orchestra. Now settled, the musicians placed bows to violins, fingers to harpsand lips to flutes. ‘Where are the rulers?’ she whispered. ‘Surely they’re to be announced before —’
There was an intake of breath as the musicians burst into their first performance of the evening. Suddenly, the ballroom came alive with laughter and melody, couples taking to the grand floor, twirling gracefully, layers of tulle and silk sweeping across the shining surface. Moonlight spilt through the vast windows, casting an ethereal glow upon the nobles.
Thea squinted across the room to the grand entrance, where the guards and heralds all stood to attention, with no sign of the kings and queen of the midrealms. She needed the royals in the midst of the action before they could implement the first stage of their rescue mission.
Poised to throw herself into action, Thea took a step forward as the delicate notes of the orchestra echoed through the chamber, the lavish gowns and regal attire creating a kaleidoscope of sheer opulence. ‘Any minute now…’
‘Not yet!’ Kipp tried to grab her arm.
But she twisted out of his reach, starting towards the exit. She would not leave Wilder to freeze in that cell a moment longer. She would take her chances, she would —
A large hand, covered in grazes, enveloped hers. Another closed around her waist, sweeping her onto the dance floor effortlessly, wrapping her in the scent of leather and rosewood.
With a stifled cry, she looked up.
Behind an intricate mask of black-and-red embellishments, a pair of silver eyes met hers.
‘Heard you were looking for me, Princess.’
CHAPTER TWENTY
WILDER
Wilder met Thea’s gaze and the atmosphere crackled around them as he took her in his arms, guiding them across the ballroom in one fluid motion. He forgot the pain as he felt her chest hitch against his before she melted beneath his touch. He breathed her in, savouring the glancing contact of her skin against his and tracing the exposed elegant curve of her neck with his gaze.
Seemingly pliant with shock, Thea allowed him to take the lead, allowed him to pull her closer, locking them together as the melody took hold. Wilder couldn’t tear his eyes away from hers, their bodies moving in perfect sync, as they always had. For a moment, the world around them faded into a distant blur. Every twist and turn, every brush of their legs together whispered of that bond between them. Wilder’s steps were measured, but beneath that control, fire simmered, threatening to consume them both.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63 (Reading here)
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144
- Page 145
- Page 146
- Page 147
- Page 148
- Page 149
- Page 150
- Page 151