Page 20 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Standing abruptly, my knee smacks into the table, knocking our glasses over.Azureabove, give me patience.

“Where are you going?” Fee asks, eyes darting from me back to the ballroom. Griffin enters, people cheering and bowing before his feet. He acts like some benevolent leader, bestowing them with his presence.

Maybe to his court he is. To me, he’s an insect ready to be squashed.

“I need air,” I ground out, eyes never leaving the door. I grip Reid’s shoulder, mouth lowered to his ear. “Watchher. She doesn’t go anywhere without you.”

He nods resolutely as I leave, Fee cursing me out as I weave through the crowd. My sister is a warrior, better trained than my guards, but I don’t trust this court. I sure as fuck don’t trust their king.

I made that mistake once. I won’t again—not with my family.

Stopping at the door, I look back, glaring at them both, a silent message tostay.

My gut twists. I should stay to protect them both. But an invisible thread is pulling me toward her and I have to see it through.

I need to understand her—figure her out. How could something so small, so tiny, rob me of all thought and steal my logic?

Walking into the hall, I see her against the back wall, head crushed into the stone, arms at her side. Eyes closed and mouth parted, she looks as if she’s in prayer.

A silent goddess with blood-colored lips, she could crumple men with just a look and it’s then, something shifts inside my heart. A lock opening, a pop within my chest. A claw of longing so powerful clamps around my throat, fumbling my steps as I stare, pulled close to her.

My air gets trapped in my lungs and it’s a battle just to inhale, my beast yowling in my head as if he too, is being suffocated.

What isthat?

Startling blue eyes look my way, and that breath exhales, as if pulled into her gravity. She is the sun and I’m drawn to her like the ground beneath our feet. I want to understand her, figure out the puzzle that is she with such a fierceness that I’m floundering for words.

What magic has she cast on me?

Chapter 8

Max

Darting into the hall, the heat and noise of the ballroom, the call of heartbeats in my ears lessens. Shoulders dropping, I walk toward the back, planting my head against the cool stone, blood rushing through my head and inhale.

Blessed silence.

It was hard, but I did it. I held out against the magic, kept my control. I didn’t break. Even when my fear overran my logic, I held firm.

The rough surface scratches at my skin as I dig against it, seeking the grounding the wall provides. Here, there are no whispers, no horrible magic looking to take. Just the soft exhales as I cool the sweat at my temples and steady my shaking fingers.

“I’m intrigued.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I watch the Dark Fae heir step close, smirk firmly in place.

Gods, it’s not fair how a handsome face could hold such danger. Dark Fae are beasts—Nessa said as much and the crowd seems to think it. They’re creatures who drink blood and I’m alone with him.

He scans my body, lingering on my face and I can’t help but track his eyes. They’re fire, balls of flames, ready to burn me whole.

He shifts closer, chalice in his hand. The spicy scent of a campfire hits my nose and the cool touch of death hangs around him. They’re old friends, those two.

Smirking, he winks flirtatiously but I stay still. My entire body is rigid with unease and dread.

The heir might seem to be regal, refined, a prince among other lords, but I see who he is behind that mask. A predator in nice clothing and an arrogant smile.

When I don’t speak, he comes closer, his free hand resting on his sword, like a threat.

“As a trusted advisor to the brother of the Blackwoods Coven Matriarch, I’m surprised to see you out here.Alone.”