Page 254 of Cursed Evermore

They screamed at my sudden arrival and grabbed whatever they could to cover their bodies. Then they scurried off the bed and out of the room.

With a face like thunder, Dreynthor grabbed his robe and shrugged into it. Then he stood and shot me a venomous glare as though challenging me to a fight.

Fool.I'd allow him to think he could do so. It would be entertaining, if nothing else.

“Hello, uncle.” My voice held the menace of the devil. “Looks like you had one hell of a night.”

“What I do in my own time is none of your business,” he seethed.

He disgusted me in so many ways. He'd married a sweet female from the north who'd given him four children. She loved him so much she believed—or chose to accept—every lie he told. Dreynthor cheated on her every chance he got. But that was none of my concern. “You and I need to talk.Now.”

“You insolent fucker, you?—”

“Silence.” I held up my hand and allowed my fingers to take death's skeletal shape. The sight shut him right the fuck up.

He'd only heard the rumors of my powers like most people had. Tales told by the lucky few who'd survived encountering me.

Now that he saw my curse with his own eyes, he knew I wasn't fucking around. He looked it, too. Like he was ready to shit himself.

For once, my miserable uncle looked afraid of me.Good.It was time he knew who he was dealing with.

Despite the solace I'd found in my mage last night, wrath writhed in my soul like a living, breathing thing that tasted like iron and ash.

I'd indulged in Elariya until sunrise, escaping my problems by burying myself deep inside her. I could have stayed there forever, but the moment she fell asleep, reality came crashing in. And I came here.

I took slow steps toward my uncle. At first, he stood his ground, but then he yielded like a coward, backing away step by step until his back pressed against the wall.

“This is how you wish to talk about your actions from last night? By threatening me with your Deathwalker magic? Why don't you face me like a Fae?”

A mirthless grin slithered over my lips. “If you think that's better, you really don't know me. In any event, I'm the one doing the talking here. I don't care how you wish for me to face you.”

“I understand you're angry, but I did what needed to be done. Princess Seraphina has many suitors. I was simply securing her for you.”

I cocked my head. “If I wanted Seraphina, I would have her regardless of suitors. I'm Wolfe Nightblade. I don't need you to secure a wife for me, or anything else.”

“This was important.”

“Don't fuck with me. Don't make this plan of yours seem like it was anything other than what it was—a way of control.”

“But I do control you, nephew.” He had the audacity to smile.

“Do you now?”

“I do.”

I let out a laugh without humor. “So, you think I'm going to marry the princess just because you announced it in front of King Paeulyn and a hall full of Galaythia's nobility.”

“You will not embarrass me or this kingdom, boy.” He started toward me but backed down when I hissed at him, baring my fangs.

“I'm not doing it. I'm not going to marry Princess Seraphina or anyone else you pick for me. That is my final answer.”

Fury contorted his face. “Because of your fucking mage? I should have known. That little slut?—”

My hands were around his throat before he could breathe another word. “Don't youevercall her that again,” I roared inhis face and squeezed his neck so tightly I thought it would snap. Then Death came out in full force, staring down at him with hollow eyes. “If you so much as look at her or breathe in her direction, I will kill you. I fucking mean it. I willkillyou.”

Dreynthor opened his mouth in terror, gasping, and I wished, gods,I wishedI could rip the skin from his body. I could do it easily, and I would do it without regret.

His insult to the woman I'd claimed was enough.