Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4)(56)

He leaned down to kiss her.

She jumped back, bumping into the wall.

He propped his hands on his weapon in a casual pose. “Something you want to tell me?”

Yes, but you aren’t going to like it. “I’m involved . . . with someone.”

Isak said nothing for a moment. “How involved?”

She lived on edge every minute right now, waiting to meet Storm in the bedroom. Too much information. “Very.”

“What about our dinner?”

She’d given her word to his mom for dinner, which had morphed into a commitment to Isak when he’d helped out with fighting the Svart trolls and hadn’t killed any of her nonhuman friends. Plus Evalle owed Isak’s mother, Kit, for keeping Kardos and Kellman after they’d been saved from the Svarts. Kit had offered to care for them until Evalle could pick up the twins, so the boys didn’t have to live on the streets.

Evalle’s debt just kept climbing. “I’ll come to dinner, but I need a little time. I’m . . . busy.”

Isak was giving her the silent treatment.

“Look, Isak, I appreciate everything you and Kit have done to help with the weapon and the twins. I do, but I would not be honest with you if I kissed you right now.” He nodded and she felt relief flood her muscles. “If you find another Langau, will you please call Tzader?”

She got another nod. This was going better than she’d have thought a moment ago.

Then Isak stepped close to her and sent her blood pressure soaring when he lowered his lips next to her ear. He whispered with total confidence, “I’m not afraid of competition. I’ll see you for dinner, and I’ll be around in the meantime.”

Then he sauntered out of the alley.

And she had to report this incident to Storm.





EIGHTEEN





I compel you to . . .”

Kizira’s stomach muscles clenched as she anticipated Flaevynn’s next words. Why was she dragging this out? Just say it. Then Kizira could start working on a way around the compulsion spell.

Cathbad had been right about one thing.

Kizira couldn’t protect anyone while sitting in a dungeon, but he was a fool to think she’d put her life on the line for him or Flaevynn. If Kizira led the Alterants, then she would be the first to reach the river of immortality flowing beneath Treoir.

Perched on her throne, Queen Flaevynn tapped a long, black-lacquered nail studded with diamonds against her cheek. Amusement danced in her kohl-outlined eyes. Thick tendrils of black hair shifted and curled slowly around her neck and bare shoulders, falling to the strapless gown of liquid silk that reminded Kizira of a burgundy wine.

Knowing Flaevynn, the dress had been created from a rare vintage.

“Kneel,” Flaevynn ordered, sending Kizira to her knees with no notice.

She went down so hard that her bones fractured, shooting pain through her kneecaps. She bit down on her back teeth, refusing to even wince at the sharp throbbing. Her body started healing the injury. Not as quickly as Cathbad could do it, but it wouldn’t take long.

Flaevynn chuckled.

Glad I could entertain you. Kizira stared straight ahead, having learned years ago that the less she said, the sooner she would be released.

“You said you’d do anything to get out of T?μr Medb?” Flaevynn said, reminding Kizira of her words earlier.

Kizira realized she may have spoken too boldly, but she had to be careful how she handled this. “Yes. I like the mortal world, but I can’t spend as much time there when you and Cathbad are stuck here. If you gain your freedom, I gain mine.”

“We shall see.” Pointing one of her black fingernails at Kizira, Flaevynn murmured words too soft to hear, then said out loud, “Kizira, Medb priestess of my blood, I compel you to do as I order you over the next three days. If at any time you do not repeat my compelling orders to the Alterants exactly as you receive them, you are to take the life of the person you love the most.”

Kizira’s jaw dropped. If she took a risk and miscalculated how she circumvented the compulsion spell, it would be a deadly mistake.

Flaevynn had finally actually surprised her with unexpected cunning.

Smiling with satisfaction, Flaevynn said, “Now I don’t have to worry about you working behind my back.”

The ache in Kizira’s knees had dropped from a ten to a two. She forced her mask of indifference back into place. How could she risk trying to get around the queen’s orders now?

“I should give you the enchanted phrase that would allow you to live and be the next queen,” Flaevynn mused out loud.

Kizira’s pulse tripped over itself picking up speed. If Flaevynn passed those words along, Kizira would outlive Flaevynn and Cathbad. She’d never be able to leave T?μr Medb again, but she could . . .

Flaevynn finished her thought, saying, “Then you’d know what it’s like to be trapped in this realm for hundreds of years, stuck depending on those who are inferior. But not even the idea of your suffering the way I have is enough for me to allow another queen to survive if I don’t.”

Of course not.

Pointing a deadly finger at Kizira, Flaevynn began her next compulsion spell, and purple energy swarmed Kizira. “Kizira, Medb priestess of my blood, I compel you to attend the Achilles Beast Championship in the mortal world during tonight’s full moon. You will bring to me every Alterant that is offered to the Medb prior to the battles or those gained through trade upon winning the final Elite matches.”