Page 23 of Raven Rebel (Sablewood #1)

Meara

T he music swelled, and King Eldric spun Princess Elysia around the room once before he allowed her to retreat. The girl disappeared, leaving Eldric to entertain King Barrach and Queen Malacia.

More couples filtered into the open space cleared for dancing. They sent long shadows skittering across the polished slate floor as men led their partners in complicated steps to unfamiliar music.

Meara watched, hands clasped behind her, as Tayen and Brenna spoke softly. The crowd parted as two of the princes crossed the floor, their eyes on Tayen. He brightened, posture straightening and a small smile appearing on his face.

The same eagerness shone in Eladin’s eyes. Rydan walked a step behind his brother, his eyes roaming the room with unease.

Tayen held out his hand. “Brenna, Meara, this is Prince Eladin and Prince Rydan.”

“Pleasure,” Eladin purred. “Welcome to our home.”

“It’s lovely,” Brenna said, folding her hands against her stomach. “Thank you for hosting us.” The prince’s smile widened.

“We should dance,” Tayen said, taking Brenna’s hand.

Meara took a cautionary step back, but Eladin smirked and swiped her hand from its place resting against her hip. “Surely we shouldn’t leave Tayen and your lovely sister on their own,” he said. She scowled but had no argument to voice as the prince dragged her into the spiraling crowd.

She knew none of the steps, but Eladin was an excellent dancer.

He led with gentle pressure, even spinning her when the dance called for it.

Tayen and Brenna moved past them, and in the distraction, she missed a cue and stepped on Eladin’s boot.

Cringing, she opened her mouth to apologize, but he cut her off with a laugh.

“The song will be over soon, no need to maim me.”

“I apologize,” she spluttered, the tension in her frame leading her to miss another step. Eladin kept clear and used a firmer hand to lead her through the rest of the dance.

It was unbearably stuffy as the fires roared and dancers sweated. Meara finally escaped the dance floor and turned, looking for her sister and finding only Tayen.

“Meara,” he said, his smile distracted as his eyes tracked Eladin’s lazy progress winding after Meara. “Brenna went with Xurey to refresh herself. May I leave you with Cerne and Ayala? I have others needing my attention.”

His eyebrows rose as he awaited her permission. Her anxiety about being in this room lessened as she met his kind eyes. “Of course. Go enjoy yourself.” His smile bloomed at her answer. “So, where is Cerne?”

“He is speaking with Emeric, I believe,” Tayen answered as he led her toward the front of the long room.

Cerne lounged against the steps of the dais, holding a goblet loosely in hands decorated with thin rings that caught the light as he moved. The dark green doublet he wore hugged his broad shoulders and stretched across his chest as he leaned back.

“Meara, this is Prince Emeric,” Tayen said.

The eldest prince stood and took her hand, feathering a kiss over her knuckles.

“Why have you not come to visit us before? This wretch is here drinking my wine every chance he gets. The least he could do is bring along better company.” His smile was charming but nonthreatening, and Meara felt herself relax.

“We joined the Autumn Court only recently,” she said, sinking down beside Cerne.

“Where did you come from?” Emeric asked as he settled back onto the steps on the Autumn Lord’s other side.

“Well, that’s none of your business,” Cerne snapped, almost snarling.

The prince held his hands up to pacify him.

“I apologize, I was merely trying to make conversation.” Meara watched the two males, sensing the dominance rolling off of Cerne, like heat or perhaps magic brushing against her soul.

She folded her hands neatly, her fingers squeezing together until the tips turned white.

“Are you going to take your lady to dance, then?” Emeric said, a challenge in his voice.

“I don’t think I will.” Cerne said, taking a long drink from his cup. “And don’t even consider it.” Emeric snapped his mouth shut.

Irritated, she reached out, pinching Cerne’s shoulder.

He turned so quickly, wine sloshed over his wrist as his free hand shot out and caught her arm.

Those glassy eyes sharpened and his lip curled to show sharp canine teeth.

A growl rumbled from his chest, and she wasn’t sure if it was from the wasted wine or the brazen pinch.

She bared her teeth in response, trying to pull her hand free.

“Just because I am staying with you, it does not make me your property.”

“You are of my court,” he said, the words slow and lazy. “I am your lord.”

“And what a fine lord you are,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Right you are,” he said, tipping his head back as he laughed. His hold on her wrist loosened and she yanked it back.

Her eyes traced the line of his lips as they parted. Even sloppy drunk, he was magnetic. She thought the draw to him would fade, but it was stronger than ever. Standing, she smoothed her skirt and pressed her lips into a line.

“I’m going to return to our rooms. I’ve had enough of this,” she said, waiting for Cerne to protest or insist on walking her back. He did neither. Disappointed, she swallowed and nodded. “Good evening. It was nice to meet you, Prince Emeric.”

“Good evening, my lady,” the prince answered with a warm smile.

She wound through the crowd, her face burning. Stewards bowed deeply before opening the door for her. As she stepped into the night air, she finally took an uninhibited breath.

Stars littered the black sky. Guards lined the wall and the townsfolk had gone home, leaving the courtyard quiet. She crossed the barren space, retracing her steps and grateful she took careful note of the route.

She eased the door open slowly, worried perhaps she had the wrong rooms. It was the same dark hall. She stepped in, her feet halting as she looked up. Two figures leaned against the wall at the end of the shadowy room.

Tayen’s disheveled hair fell over his cheek as he closed his mouth over the prince’s neck. Eladin arched his body, eyes squeezed shut and head pressing back into the wall as his hands ran over Tayen’s shoulders, shrugging his doublet off.

So this is what he meant by others needing his attention.

Eyes wide, she fumbled with the door behind her, trying to escape unnoticed. Tayen’s head shot up, the gold of his irises a thin ring around his blown pupils. His grin was devious without a hint of shame being caught with the prince.

Eladin lowered his chin, following his lover’s gaze. “Hello, my lady.”

“Sorry!” she squeaked, finally catching the knob in her palm.

Before she could flee, Tayen winked and returned to his task, his hands pulling at Eladin’s shirt.

She stepped back into the cold with Eladin’s throaty laughter following her.

With her heartbeat pounding in her throat, she clicked the door shut and leaned her back against the wood.

The times she had witnessed young lovers in their village, it was nothing like that.

She was used to seeing light kisses, hands cradling faces, clumsy embraces.

Nothing like the way Tayen’s hips pressed into Eladin and caged him against the wall.

The way his teeth flashed as he devoured his skin.

Her face warmed and she tipped her head back, letting the chilled breeze cool her.

She wouldn’t bother them again, but she didn’t want to go back to the great hall full of wealthy strangers and a particular drunk faerie.

But perhaps Brenna and Xurey had returned or she could discover where they were.

She nibbled the edge of her lip as she thought.

Even the promise of seeing her sister wasn’t enough to drive her back into that crowd.

Meara turned, looking for any answer to present itself.

The soft nickers of horses drifted through the air.

She followed the sound, hoping a quiet hour or so admiring horses in the stable would fill the rest of her evening nicely.

The solitude would give her time to think.

She passed the castle’s main entrance, the ground sloping downward slightly.

Before she could find the stables, gruff male voices echoed off the stone wall to her left.

Their accents were familiar. Liosliath guards.

She turned, frantic to hide herself, but short of sprinting, there was nothing for her to do.

They ambled into view, their sharp gazes focusing on her with intent that seized her muscles.

“A faerie!” one called, throwing his arm over his friend’s shoulders.

The friend sneered. “I’ve never actually seen one before. She’s odd looking.”

She ignored them, changing direction to stride toward the great hall.

The men were faster, surrounding her in seconds.

Her instincts urged her to run, but they were tall and lean and she doubted she could outpace them.

Attempting escape would be unwise. It would excite them.

So she turned and raised her chin defiantly.

“I am a guest of the King, so please excuse me and go about your business.” She was proud of how steady her voice was, hiding the fear.

Even if she had a weapon, it wouldn’t make a difference.

These were trained soldiers and at least five of them circled her like a wolf pack closing in.

“Good evening, Lady Meara.” Prince Rydan strode into the group, his face calm despite the tension bristling in his muscled frame. He stood broader than any of the guards and just as tall. “Sirs, I suggest you return to your posts.”

With mumbled apologies, the guards dispersed. Rydan watched them until they were out of view.

“Are you alright?” His soft question gentled her icy anger.

Her hands curled into fists against her hips, and she took a slow breath. “I didn’t need you to do that.”