Page 31 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

He shudders. “The world wouldn’t know what hit it.”

Settling beside me, I let my gaze scan the room as Tay leans back. The tables are covered in sky blue linen and crystal chalices. It’s more reserved than the jovial mood of last night with groups congregating together, gossip spilling from lips.

Thankfully, my head is a dulled and my magic sleeps.

Amber eyes find mine in the swarming ball, surrounded by jet black locks and cheekbones sharp enough to cut. Dressed in a tailored black suit with red thread woven into his lapels and cuffs, the heir looks like a dark prince in a court of light.

Raising one glass in a mock salute, he smirks from his chair and I fight the urge to flip him off. It wouldn’t do good to antagonize the one person who could ruin my cover here.

Tay stands and I tear my gaze from the heir. “Where are you going?”

He furrows his brow. “That brewCullygave you must be strong. I just told you Griffin arrived and is waving me over. I think he’s hoping to facilitate a better trade agreement between our people.”

“Well, now that you’ve given the DarkFaea valuable commodity that all Humans want, he probably feels left out.”

“Maybe.”Tayshrugs, patting my hand. “Regardless, I can’t exactly deny a king. Come get me at the end of the song. I don’t think Griffin will let me go so easily.”

Nodding, I sit back, wine glass to my lips. He only goes two steps, before turning back to me. “Try not to talk to anyone. You’ve already blown your cover at the meeting.”

Wincing, I smile. “Sorry about that. How mad was he?”

“Actually, he was happy. He approved of your points. Just don’t make it a habit of fighting with the Dark Fae before we have their signatures.”

I watchTayweave through the crowd over to Griffin’s grand table, piled high with glasses and food. Various lords, who sits around the king grin at the Witch, begging for his input. When Griffin sees my friend approach, he smiles wider.

The king likes Tay. Maybe that’s why he didn’t mind my lie. It’s not the first time being friends with Tay has saved me from harsh punishments.

It’s why I’m still allowed in the Coven though the elders want to expel me.

Taking another glass from a servant, I enjoy the dullnessbehind my ears and watch Tay tell an animated story. The lords lap it up, the king nodding along. A pang of envy hits my heart.

I’m not jealous of Taylay—he’s kind and likable. His presence here will help the Coven. But I’m envious of his ability to make friends wherever we go, of how he seems to be accepted so easily. It’s something I’ve never had.

Glancing to my left, I notice the Coven sisters have left the table without a word to me. Rejection sours my gut, the wine dry on my tongue. It shouldn’t hurt, but it does. These sister know who I am and though they choose to keep my secret, they don’t associate with me.

To them, I’m not part of the Blackwoods Coven, just someone to keep at arm’s length, an outsider among a crowd. I hate it.

A finger draws down my exposed spine leaving a burning trail of heat in its wake. My body starts, shoulders tensing at the intrusion.

“You seemed lonely.”

The heir drops into Tay’s empty chair, and I lean back, thighs pressed together to stop the ache blooming at his closeness. I don’t trust this Fae but it doesn’t mean my body understands.

“I amalone. Not lonely. There’s a difference.”

There’s a quick flash of amusement before it’s hidden away. That damned arrogant mask is firmly in place. “Then my mistake. Perhaps I should leave you be?”

“Perhaps you should.”

“Except,” he drawls, tapping the glass “I don’t much feel like doing so.”

My eyes narrow, flush covering my cheeks. Absently, my fingers drift to my neck, nervously tugging the collar higher. “Why?”

“So suspicious.”

“Of you? Absolutely.” I cross my legs, trying to keep from touching his leg. “Now, why are you here?”

“Because you fascinate me.” He sips his wine, dropping the glass to the table with a quietclink. “Out of everyone here, I didn’t expect an advisor to a ruler’s brother, to intrigue me so much.” His amber eyes harden and I see the calculating mind behind this false charm. “I saw what you did. How is it, someone so small, was able to subduesomeone so much bigger? And with no weapon?” He looks me over, clinically. “Whatare you, kitten?”