Page 90 of Taste of Thorns

In the distance I hear someone whistle and another person whoop and realize we have a very public audience. Is that what she planned?

I push her mouth away from mine, but she uses her magic to keep me locked beneath her.

“Because of the slut? You know your mother will never approve of her.”

“She’s our thrall,” I say, not meeting her eye. I don’t need any of these idiots discovering the truth about Briony. “And my mother has no interest in what I do while I’m here.”

“But you have other plans for the Slate slut.” I jolt without meaning to. How does she know that? She reads the question in my eyes. “It’s written all over your face, Beaufort. You’re infatuated with her.” She leans down, bringing her mouth closer to mine. Her breath smells of bitter coffee. “And it makes you weak. I’d be sure to keep a good look over your shoulder. There are people coming for you.”

I blast her away with my own magic and she tumbles down onto her backside.

Almost immediately I realize my mistake. The action has caused the sleeve of my top to slip backward. My eyes inadvertently flick that way and hers follow. They land on the faint marks on my skin and widen in disbelief.

“It can’t be.”

I scramble up onto my feet and tug down the sleeve.

“It’s not what you think. It’s nothing.”

“That girl!” she spits. “That can’t be right?”

I’m aware we have a little crowd watching us now, but they’re too far away to hear us. I come strolling up to her, peering down into her amused face.

“It is. She belongs to us. She’s our mate, bound by fate.” Henny watches my mouth and I can see the little wheels spinning in her head. “Tell anyone, Henrietta, and I’ll cut out your tongue and shove it down your throat, right before I kill you.”

“I’m not afraid of you, Beaufort.”

“No?” I say, leaning closer. “A man will do anything to protect the woman he loves.” I glance across the field towards Henny’s sister, watching as another kid knocks her to the ground and she tumbles like a ten pin. “I reckon twin sisters feel similarly.”

Henny flinches. For the first time, something like fear enters her eyes.

“Tell anyone,” I whisper, “and I won’t just hurt you.”

Her shoulders stiffen and her eyes narrow.

“If that’s the way you want it, Beaufort. Then that’s the way we will play it. But know this,whenyour world comes crashing down around your ears, don’t come begging me for help. This is over.”

“That’s absolutely fine by me.” I catch my breath as she does the same. I don’t want Henrietta Smyte as an enemy, but maybe she doesn’t have to be, maybe there is a way we can be unwilling allies – all I need to do is play along with her games. “Who were you meeting, Henny?”

“We’ve established that I’m not going to tell you that. Not unless you’re willing to give me what I want.”

“You don’t want me. You never really wanted me, Henny. I was just a stepping stone to greater things. There must be something else you do want.” I lean up and whisper, “Something you’re willing to trade secrets for.”

There’s a pause as she considers my remark. Then her eyes brighten with excitement and she leans down and whispers in my ear.

“That’s what you want?” I ask. The girl truly is insane.

She nods enthusiastically.

“Okay, then.” I shrug. I wasn’t expecting to get away so lightly. “Next time we’re back home.”

The grin on her face descends into a fierce glare. “No, if you want your information, Beaufort, then we have to do this now.”

“Now? But we can’t just leave the academy.”

Henny snorts. “We both know that’s not true.” She folds her arms over her chest. She’s not going to broker any negotiation. “This is a onetime offer, Beaufort. You want me to tell you, then we have to go now.”

Chapter Thirty-Two