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“The one you got as soon as we left Dubnos.”

I shrugged. “I just don’t find it surprising that all your posturing inside your city was just for show. As soon as no one could see you, you put your soldiers in the front and back. You’re protected in the middle. Just a typical king. You couldn’t possibly be the one to face danger yourself.”

From ahead, Alastair chuckled.

“Most kings don’t lead a party because their death would bring instability to their kingdom, particularly if they don’t have an heir. Like Oberon.”

I snorted. “Oberon hasa lotof heirs.”

“None of them count to the light fae. They wouldn’t want a half-mortal king. Those heirs are notheirs. They’re soldiers and a way for him to wield power over the rest of his fae.Hecan have children. None of the rest of them can unless he gives them permission.” Our boots crunched as we passed across a rocky stretch in the path. “If he dies, that city would tear itself to shreds, every fae there trying to grapple for power. And as there are so few of them left...that would be the end of Albyrian fae.”

“I see your point. That doesn’t explain you, though.”

I glanced up at his face just as he smiled. “We take turns in the front and in the back. This formation isn’t to protect me. It’s to give each of us a break.”

Alastair chuckled again, and I narrowed my eyes at his back.

“Go ahead,” I said to him. “Laugh at my expense.”

He grinned over his shoulder at me, though I could barely see his features through the mists. “You’re cute when you’re mad, little dove.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Don’t worry,” Niamh called out over her shoulder. “Alastair is a shameless flirt, but he’s harmless. It doesn’t mean anything. He flirts with anyone who breathes.”

“And fucks them, too.” Toryn chuckled from behind us.

Alastair spread his hands before him. “You think I can help it if the ladies like the look of me? Who am I to disappoint them? There’s enough of me to go around.”

I took another step forward, and my boot sank into something soft and fleshy. Something sharp tore through my ankle. Hissing between my teeth, I glanced down to find a luminous black snake hanging off my leg. I screamed and tried to shake it off, fear thundering through me.

Steel arced through the air, and power thrummed across my skin. The Mist King slammed his blade down on the creature and sliced its head clean off. The fangs loosened from my leg, leaving behind a deep crimson stain that spread through the rolled cuffs of my trousers.

The pain. My knees buckled and I slid to the ground.

I couldn’t see straight. A storm of black spots consumed my vision.

The Mist King knelt beside me and ripped open my trouser leg. I stared dumbfounded at the wound. Where the snake had bitten me, deep black lines were spreading across my skin. Pain rocked through me, and I hissed out another scream through my teeth.

“Hold still,” the Mist King demanded, his face lined in terrifying concern.

Tears blurred my vision. I glanced up at the stony faces of the fae. Niamh gave me a nod and passed me a stick. Something to hold onto.

I took it in my hands and squeezed tight.

The Mist King lowered his head to my leg, pressed his lips against my roiling skin, and...sucked. A shudder went through me as his hands gently gripped my thighs, his mouth working, his lips caressing.

A spark of delirious pleasure went through me at the sight of him there.

And the fact it actually felt...good.

Another storm of pleasure coursed through my leg, despite the venom trying to tear my body apart. I tightened my grip on the stick and tried not to moan. This should not feel good. There were people watching. And this wasthe Mist King.

“It’s working.” Niamh loosed a breath and fisted her hand in victory. “You’re going to be all right, Tessa.”

The Mist King suddenly pulled back, his sapphire eyes glowing in the dark. He spat the venom on the ground, and hissing smoke swirled up to join the mists. As he stood, the glow of his eyes began to fade, and he held out a hand toward me.

Heart thumping, I stared at that hand. Large and calloused, strong. I took it and let him pull me to my feet. For a moment, no one said a word, and then Alastair clapped me on the back.