Page 30

Sound, thought, breath, it all faded when the prince’s brother lifted his gaze.

His stare was a bolt to the heart, sharp and brutal. Pure, dark glass stared back at me. Runes were tattooed in a sleek line down his neck. Add a skull across his eyes, sober up his deep brogue and . . .shit!

I was seated at the same table as my newly made enemy.

And if I had to guess, he wasn’t all that drunk as he pretended to be, for his eyes cut through me like a dagger from the shadows—the thief from the road knew exactly where he’d seen me before.

CHAPTER 11

Kage

That damn woman was,again, staring at me.

Flames on the candlesticks added a touch of rage in her verdant eyes. She knew exactly who I was, and I could not tell if she wanted me dead or if my face was a shock of fright.

Well now, this meal was certainly going to be different than Destin’s other boorish feasts where he tried to play the proper prince, garnering sympathy for his wayward brother from whatever courtier he was currently indulging.

Most nights, I feigned drunkenness to be dismissed early. My ruse ended the moment I locked gazes withher.

I could see this playout two ways: wait to see if my brief tongue tie spell cast had faded and the woman revealed me. I, in turn, would reveal her thievery of my damn knife which I planned to take back the first moment I could. Or we’d reveal nothing about each other, she remained on the palace grounds, a threat, an intrigue, and I’d take the time to find out why Destin believed her to be the Blood Sacrifice.

Or, a third option, I’d be forced to kill her for knowing too much.

The third would be rather unfortunate. Wild and strange as shewas, she was a sight. There was a heat behind the green of her eyes that burned in a sort of challenge. A warning.

Something about that fire stirred the blight in my mind, one of the rotted moments already swallowed in my spreading curse. Like something pounded against my skull, pleading to be free, but whatever poison was spreading in my veins would not allow it.

Beneath the table, I flicked and curled my fingers, a mute pattern of symbols to signal Asger who took his place against the wall. To Destin, Asger was his lowly stepbrother’s childhood friend turned guard and of little note. But if Destin discovered Gwyn, Cy, Asger, and said lowly stepbrother were often found thieving and ambushing travelers along his royal roads, no mistake, he’d have us all flayed or banished to the prisons near the shore.

Asger worried his brow at my signal something was building around this woman. No surprise. If the man woke without something burdening his mind, the whole of Magiaria might sink into the sea.

I drummed my fingers along the table, gaze locked on the woman. “What has you convinced she is the lost daughter of House Ravenwood?”

“She bears the house marks.” Destin tilted his head knowingly, as though attempting to convey more without the woman noticing.

The woman covered her hands.

I curled one hand into a fist, shielding my own mage bands. They were a mark of power and aggravation. Some of my markings told a tale that did not exist, a tale of a bond with House Ravenwood.

But everyone wanted to avoid that pressing question.

For endless season weaves I’d sought answers, and no one could offer insight, not even the high seated visionaries in the Sanctuary of Seers. No one could explain a damn thing about my own bands.

The memory of receiving them was blurred and distant. I could recall the feeling of peace, of elation, but not why the runes and symbols were chosen.

“That is not enough proof,” I said, taking a sip of wine. “We need more.”

“She appears on Havestia, marked of the lost house, uncertain of her origins, and it is not enough, brother?”

“No. In truth, I’m not convinced the tale of the Blood Sacrifice is anything more than myth.”

Destin grinned, a sly sort. “Always the suspicious one, Kage.”

The woman huffed, half-rolling her eyes, but promptly dragged her lip between her teeth, cheeks flushed as she studied her hands in her lap.

Heat prickled from the center of my chest, a contained warmth that spread to a full bloom in my veins the longer I studied her profile. Like a hook rammed through my gut, I was drawn to her. Uncomfortable and pleasurable. Being so near to the woman soothed the poison consuming my veins and felt as though another dose had been added in the same breath.

I peeled my gaze away. “Do not make a hasty proclamation, Destin. Be steady, be wise?—”