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Lilith turns to Kian. “You’re looking dashing.

” She pulls in a measured breath. “I thought you should know the meeting with The Circle has been set for late tomorrow afternoon.” Her eyes are bright with satisfaction.

“Everything is falling into place beautifully. I hope the two of you enjoy your evening. I need to mingle and then take my leave to prepare for the meeting. There is much to do.”

“Wait, Mother. Something I meant to ask you earlier, but after the news about Grandmother, it slipped my mind.”

“Yes, dear.”

“Where are my brothers? Are they here tonight?” I look into the crowds.

Her expression shifts to annoyance, which she quickly schools. “Conner and Oliver would be too young to be at such a celebration, but since they are not here, it isn’t applicable. I sent them to the Blackthorn Coven.”

I frown. “Why would you do that?” My youngest brother is only fourteen.

“We swapped students. We took some Blackthorn youngsters, and they took a few of ours. We need to learn from one another. We also need to introduce new blood. This is the perfect way to do that, as well as to keep ourselves aligned with our neighboring covens. Relationships with one’s peers during troubled times are essential.

That is why you are here, is it not, Kian? ”

“Indeed,” Kian says.

“But all three of them?”

“It sent a good message, McColl. Leaders need to make sacrifices, just like the children of leaders need to sacrifice, as well. We do it for the greater good. I’m sure you will have an understanding of that, Kian?” She lifts her brows.

“Only too well.”

“They’re doing well, though? Have you had word?”

“I sent them five mooncycles ago. I get regular feedback and am happy to report that they are doing just fine and have settled in nicely. They’re not the boys you remember them to be.

Elijah is very nearly a man. Now I must go and talk with that couple.

” She points to a pair of well-dressed older people.

I don’t recognize them. “I will see you later, or tomorrow at the meeting. Be ready to plead your case as well as to answer questions.”

“Of course,” Kian tells her.

“Okay then, enjoy yourselves and, for heaven’s sake, mingle,” she tells me.

Something about her tone makes me uneasy, but before I can analyze it further, she’s already walking away.

“I can’t believe she did that. Conner is only fourteen and living with strangers.

Oliver is only fifteen. Maybe they were placed together.

I don’t like it. Those boys should be in a loving home.

Then again, they might get more care from a bunch of strangers than from her.

” I look over at my mother, who is laughing at something the husband is saying.

She’s cool and controlled. A glass of wine is in her hand, but I know she won’t drink more than half of it.

Everything is about discipline and control.

“I’m sure they’ll be okay,” Kian tries to reassure me.

“I’m sure she did it for selfish reasons. How can she turn her back on her children without a care in the world?”

“I’m sorry, McColl.”

“It’s fine. I know the Blackthorn Coven.

They have a leader who is known to be fair.

I’m sure they will be treated well. They’re also together, which is something.

It’s just…” I sigh. “I wish I could see them. I miss them. That’s all.

But since there’s nothing I can do about it, let’s go and, at least, try to enjoy ourselves since we have to be here. ”

“That’s a good idea,” Kian says, offering me his arm. “We may as well. I have to say that the food smells incredible. I don’t know about you, but I could eat.” He looks over at my mother, who is talking with some of the elders.

I let my gaze drift over the crowd. “Just so you know, my mother will be watching us. She’ll have spies, too.” I slip my hand through his arm. “Lead the way. I’m starving.”

Neither of us touched the food that was delivered. It was probably the shock of seeing my grandmother in such a bad way. My heart is heavy. I’m grateful I got to talk with her. Grateful that she is still here. But sad at the change in her.

We arrive at the food tent and Kian pours two glasses of wine from a nearby table, handing me one.

“Thanks. Be careful. It’s stronger than it looks,” I warn him.

Kian smiles. “I can well imagine. Fae mulled wine is also potent stuff. Again, we have more in common than you thought.”

I shake my head, taking a sip. “I think this will be my first and my last glass.” We have to keep our wits about us. Although we have dropped our guard just a little, I’m not foolish enough to trust blindly.

We make our way to the table.

“I haven’t seen this many different dishes in a long time,” Kian says, handing me a plate and taking one for himself.

A group of ladies in the far corner titter together, their eyes on Kian. They giggle, talking low.

I try to ignore it.

Kian gives them a cursory glance, and they giggle again.

Then he puts his full attention on me. “I am not familiar with everything on this table, even though it all looks delicious.”

“You should try the roast bird,” I tell Kian as I dish some roasted fowl with herbs. “It’s delectable. I haven’t tasted some of these delicacies in years.”

“Smells incredible. It’s certainly better than the muck we got in the mines.” Kian follows suit, taking a juicy-looking piece of the bird. Then he cuts a slice of fresh bread that looks to be still warm from the ovens.

“You definitely need to try these little fruit-filled pies.” I put one on my plate. “They have cinnamon and—”

I’m just about to put a second pie on my plate when a familiar voice cuts through the pleasant chatter around us.

“Well, well. Look what the night has brought us. If it isn’t the lady of the evening and her fae plaything.”

No! Why doesn’t she just leave me alone?

I turn to see Lydia striding toward us, and my jaw nearly drops.

She’s wearing what can generously be called a dress – if you can call something made almost entirely of sheer fabric a dress.

Her sex is barely covered by a strategically placed scrap of silk, and her breasts are completely bare, her dark nipples on full display.

Her hair is pinned up. There are others dressed in similar attire.

Our species is not shy by any means, but she is by far the boldest here tonight.

She certainly has the body for it. I can’t help the jealousy that courses through me.

If I’m honest with myself, I’ve always been jealous of Lydia.

Of her magical ability, of her confidence, and her flawless beauty.

And she’s heading straight for us.

She sets her sights on Kian.

Of course she does.

“I don’t believe that we have formally met. My name is Lydia,” she says in a husky voice. Her eyes rake over him appreciatively, lingering on his broad shoulders and the way his shirt fits his frame. She holds out her hand as soon as she reaches him.

Kian clasps it, and my jealousy ramps up. “I’m Kian. You shot fire bolts at us, and many would say that constitutes a formal meeting.”

She laughs, managing to sound sultry. “I’m sorry I tried to kill you. I was only doing my job. So, you’re a king, I hear.” She looks him over again. “I must say, you look like one. Strong, powerful, regal, handsome.”

“I was a king.”

“Yes, but you have royal blood running through your veins.”

“But no kingdom to speak of.” He keeps his eyes on hers.

“I’m sure someone as strong and brave as you will fix that in no time.”

“Um…L-Lydia,” I say, wincing inwardly for being a stuttering mess, but she continues as if I’m not here.

Of course she does.

I hate her more in this moment than ever before.

“Tell me, Kian,” she continues, moving closer to him and placing a hand on his bicep, almost touching her breasts to his chest. “Are you enjoying our little celebration? I do hope you’re finding everything to your…satisfaction. Your satisfaction is important to us…to me .”

The way she says the word “satisfaction” has more burning hot anger rising in me. She’s blatantly flirting with him.

Kian glances at me, then back at Lydia, his expression carefully polite. “It’s a lovely evening. Your coven certainly knows how to host a feast.”

“Oh, we know how to do many things well,” Lydia says with a sultry smile, her fingers trailing down his arm.

“Don’t let those among us who are prudish give the wrong impression.

” She pointedly looks at me for the first time, her meaning clear.

“Perhaps later, you’d like me to show you some of our other… talents? I would be happy to oblige.”

Before he can respond, she turns on her heel and saunters away, her hips swaying; her ass is also completely bare. My hands tingle with magic right at my fingertips. I would love to turn her into a goat or a mule. Or blow her up completely. My mother would be angry. She’d take it out on Kian.

“She really is something,” he says, and I’m not sure what he means by that. I’m not going to ask, either.

I don’t want to talk about Lydia. My grandmother always used to say that if you talk about a person behind their back, you’re giving them power. The last thing Lydia needs is more power.

Jealousy burns through me. I have no hold over Kian. He can do whatever he wants with whomever he wants. If he chooses to spend tonight with her, that’s perfectly okay.

“You’re welcome to take her up on her offer. Just please be careful,” I warn him, walking away to sit at one of the empty tables.

Kian

I stand frozen, watching McColl walk away from me with deliberate steps. The dismissive way she told me to go ahead with Lydia’s offer burns in my chest.