Page 18 of Cruelest Kiss and Fairest Blood (Tales So Wicked #2)

Harrow

“ A re you asking me to steal someone’s soul on the spot? Wow, Roseheart, your appetite for death has grown.” My grin widens when she flushes.

“No, I am not asking you to kill someone.” She stops, peering back up. “Do you kill people? You said something about not being able to take life out of order.”

“I did say that. I can kill, but I usually only do so when the natural order has been violated by another.”

She purses her lips as more questions form. “How would they do that?”

“Magic, life-prolonging spells, those sorts of things. You’d be surprised how many try to cheat death.”

Lenore plucks at the blades of grass. “So, you can’t prove it without killing someone?”

“I didn’t say that.”

She peers up at me expectantly. The royal blue of the dress she’s wearing reflects in her unnaturally light irises, giving them a deeper blue appearance than normal. She is too beautiful and special for this realm. She does not belong in the mortal world.

Giving her a look into her future might not be a bad idea. I may not have figured out how I’m going to make Lenore mine forever, but I will.

Sitting up, I snap my fingers. The sound is sharp, the crack echoing through the woods surrounding our clearing.

Within moments, a large raven glides into view, landing beside me.

Lenore’s pack of animals are on their feet the moment Mytha arrives.

Many scamper away or fly off. They know this new visitor is no animal.

“You control the ravens? That’s impressive, but hardly supernatural.” Her eyebrow rises to a perfect arch.

“Mytha. Please introduce yourself. Your real self.”

Lenore looks to me and then back to the raven. Mytha shifts into her Serpien form and Lenore’s mouth drops open.

“Princesss.” Mytha’s emerald, snake-like lower half winds around her as she bows. Her human upper half is unclothed, but her long auburn hair keeps her chest hidden.

“The raven is a snake.” Lenore’s stare is still fixed on Mytha.

Mytha’s tongue flicks out in irritation. “I am no sssnake.”

“Mytha is a Serpien. The Serpien people are born in the Underworld.”

Lenore studies her before speaking. “You’re quite lovely.

If not a bit off-putting.” Mytha releases a low hiss and Lenore quickly clarifies.

“It’s not a bad thing. People often say the same about me.

They think I’m odd. I get away with it because they also think I’m beautiful.

” She sighs deeply. “It’s amazing the things people will overlook in the name of impressing someone attractive. ”

“Including their responsibilitiesss.” She cuts her glowing gaze my way.

“You really are beautiful. I won’t say odd. That word is a barely veiled insult. I’ll say unique.”

Mytha appears less than moved. She responds dryly, “How kind.”

“Lenore desired proof of who I am,” I explain when Mytha’s questioning gaze moves to me.

“Ssso you dragged me above to ssshow her? Well, if she’sss not sssatisfied, you can prove it to her by returning home. There isss a disturbance under the mountain. I wasss on my way to invessstigate when you sssumoned me.”

Lenore

Harrow’s posture shifts in an instant. “My amulet has not alerted me to trouble.”

“Maybe you’re too far away. There isss no missstaking it down below.”

Harrow looks to me, a torn expression overtaking his striking features.

“Go,” I encourage, rising to my feet. “You said it’s important to be there when things go wrong.”

Harrow drags a hand through his fair hair and stands as well. “I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

He takes a step toward me. The action makes my pulse quicken. I think for a moment that he’s going to touch me or kiss me maybe. My heart sinks a little when he turns away. Harrow strides another twenty paces before halting.

A full circle of grass withers. The dead patch darkens as a swirl of black forms at its center.

I jump as Mytha abruptly changes into a raven again.

She dives into the hole immediately and vanishes.

Harrow is next. He moves one foot over the threshold, halting for the smallest of beats, and then drops out of sight.

The moment his white hair passes through, the circle vanishes. Dry brown grass is the only evidence that something strange has happened.

Holy shit.

Unless I’ve totally lost it, which is a distinct possibility, Harrow really is the Ruler of the Underworld. Where else could he have gone?

The meadow has cleared out. Apparently my animals prefer not to be near when a black hole into hell opens up.I guess that’s my cue to head back.

I’m nearly to the courtyard doors when Cassius emerges, a wicker basket balanced in the crook of his elbow. The scowl on his handsome face turns upward when he spots me.

“Princess.” He bows. The move makes me tingle. Damn, this man has an effect on me.

“Prince Cassius.” I curtsy in return.

“I’ve been looking for you. I was told you’ve been out in the gardens all afternoon. I thought you may be hungry.” He lifts his arm holding the basket.

“You brought me a picnic?” I can’t shield my smile.

“I’m sure you know of a beautiful spot where we could enjoy it.”

“I can think of plenty. I’ll show you one of my favorites.” Taking Cassius’s hand feels more natural than it should.

I catch the flick of his eyes down to where our palms connect. Harrow sits sullen in the back of my thoughts alongside his abrupt exit. I wonder what happened below. Based on his reaction, it couldn’t have been good. Cassius came along just in time to provide a distraction.

“Princess Lenore,” Melly calls from the doorway. We haven’t even made it out of the garden.

“Yes?” I answer, not bothering to mask my annoyance at being interrupted.

“Yer late for yer final fitting.”

The ball, right. Another fitting for my garish gown. The fit was perfectly acceptable the last time I tried it on. “Please tell the seamstress I’m currently unavailable.”

Melly’s head whips behind her and she drops into a low curtsy. That can only mean one thing.

My mother strolls through the open door, her gaze meeting mine. I’ve dropped Cassius’s hand and stepped away from him before I register the action.

“There you are, my love. I apologize, Prince Cassius, but the princess is needed inside.” My mother’s words are friendly, but the warning look she gives me tells me that refusing this fitting is not an option.

Disappointment fills me. “Apologies. We will have to enjoy our picnic another day.”

“Name the afternoon and I’ll be there.” He smiles, inclining his head. “There may be a hungry guard or two who are willing to share my feast.”

That makes me chuckle. Imagining Cassius sharing a meal with a guard. “I believe it would be the highlight of their career.”

“You’re right. I’m off to secure a sentry at once!” he shouts with mock enthusiasm. Cassius lifts my hand, pressing a chaste kiss to the back of my fingers. “Please save a dance for me, Princess.”

I’m too flustered to speak. My mother is smirking as I hurry inside.

She’s probably not the only one who’s noticed my interest in Cassius.

Can anyone blame me? He’s good-looking in a storybook kind of way.

He brought me a picnic. I doubt the King of Honenbrie will ever favor me with such a sweet and thoughtful gesture.

My father’s boisterous voice spills into the hallways as we pass the throne room. I’ve not seen him outside of dinner in weeks. I suspect he’s avoiding me. Maybe the idea of me marrying his oldest friend makes us both uncomfortable.

My mother takes my hand in hers. “Your father cares for you. He has a lot on his plate right now.”

How is it she always knows what I’m thinking and feeling? “I know. Being king keeps him busy.”

Her face saddens a touch. “He loves you very much, Lenore.”

Marrying me off to an old man is an odd way of showing it. “I know,” is all I say. My future is looking pretty bleak. At least I have a waltz with a prince to look forward to.