Page 15 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Why is it only women? Is this one way that Griffin’s court is different from the Covens?

“They’re all women,” I whisper, jerking my head to the female closest to me. “The servants. There aren’t any men.”

“Odd,” he comments, glaring at the room. He looks as disgusted as I feel. “They must not worry about repercussions from the God Mates.”

We stop, behind a trio of remarkably tall individuals, all dressed in black leather armor, weapons on their hips.

It takes me a minute, but I realize one of them is a female, her red hair so dark it looks almost black. She’s thin, waif-like, but there’s an air of a warrior around her. Her feet are planted shoulder width apart and she clasps her hands behind her back, awaiting orders.

Glancing to her left, I takein the male who shifts, bored. He doesn’t seem to be a warrior in a traditional sense, but he seems flexible. Fluid. His fingers twitch as if to play with a coin and his hip cocks just enough to seem playful. If not for the quick glare from the female, I would miss his smirk.

He says something to her, earning an eye roll, and I smile under my hood. It’s familiar—siblings. They have the same chin, the same amber eyes and pale skin, but their mannerism remind me of the twins and their bickering.

The third male, though, doesn’t partake in their banter, eyes ahead. He commands the room, with a straight back and head held high. His broadsword hangs on his hip and he crosses his arms, speaking to the king directly, not wilting under his gaze.

He’s a leader, used to being in control. I don’t think he’s ever bowed in his life.

The guards push us closer as I warily watch the trio, feet stumbling as the male’s voice floats over the crowd. Freezing, my mouth parts, surprised.

Deeply accented, a soft rumble, it’s seductive. My stomach clenches, goose flesh erupting over my arms as my core flutters.

It’s a voice from the Gods and I exhale, need coursing through me.What is that?

“We are happy to sit in on these talks, King Griffin,” the male comments, tilting his head just slightly. “My father was only too pleased to put aside our past in order to move forward.”

“I am glad for that. To a brighter future, and a unified continent,” King Griffin agrees, rising his chalice into the air. It’s blinding gold, matching the crown sitting in his russet curls. “It’s why we’ve joined together. I believe we all have that hope.”

The male smirks, eyes flashing with an emotion I can’t place. “I’m sure.”

Turning, our eyes clash, burning amber orbs stealing my breath as they sear me to the spot. They’re two dancing flames of fire, held within a handsome face of dark brows, sharp cheekbones and full lips. A scar sits on one eyebrow making him look more rugged than beautiful.

Swallowing thickly, he scans my face, down my body, his gaze leaving a branding on my soul. Nervously, I tug my hair to hide my scar.

He shifts, tilting his head to assess me, and then I see it—his pointed ear.

Dark Fae. These are the Moorgate royalty Tay mentioned in the carriage.

Nessa explained to me once about the Dark Fae. They were brutal and war-like, bred to take and destroy. It’s why we never reached out to them for help and never traded with them. They were too unpredictable, too dangerous. My fingers pat my throat as if to check my hair is still covering my vulnerability.

Tay shifts next to me, feeling my tension as the Fae inhales, nostrils flaring.Is he smelling us?

A smirk lifts his lips, the barest hint of fang dipping over his bottom lip and I swallow.

“Taylay of the Blackwoods Coven,” he greets.Gods, that voice.“It’s good to see someone from your Coven at these talks. The Covens have been absent from world matters for far too long.”

I wince against the disdain in his words. He doesn’t think too fondly of Witches or maybe he’s bitter about the lack of trade between the species, I’m not sure. But I don’t like it.

Neither does Tay. “HeirKaden,” he replies, frowning. “A pleasure, of course. I was not aware you would be here. Rumors abound of how little your father and King Griffin get along. Are there still scrimmages among your people?”

Kaden grins, eyes narrowed as Griffin steps off his pedestal. He clasps a hand on the Fae’s shoulder much to the male’s displeasure.

“I admit, the Dark Fae and Humans have not been friendly. But that is in the past. Now, we all want what’s best for Neevea,” he interjects.

“And what is that, King?”

“To end the Crimson Tide, of course,” Griffin reminds us. “Work together. Our ancestors wanted us to rebuild as one and we didn’t do that. I say now, we should. Everyone is hungry for unity.”

Griffin waves us forward. “Come, Tay, let us greet before the welcome ball.”