House of Lies and Sorrow (Fae of Rewyth #1)(22)

“They call me that because of more than just the color of my wings, princess.”

Her eyes snapped to mine. “Don’t call me princess.”

“Why not? Like it or not, that’s what you are now. Princess of Rewyth.”

“Let’s just worry about surviving the night first.”

“You doubt my abilities to protect you?”

“I doubt my safety in the presence of fae.”

The silence that rang though the air said more than I could form with words.

Jade still didn’t trust me. I guessed that was fair.

But we had a few hours to go until sunrise, and it was her and I in this room alone until then.

I moved my wings in a motion that blew her hair across her face.

She gasped and scrambled to get it out of her eyes while I laughed.

“You think this is funny?” She snapped “You really have fun toying with worthless humans, don’t you?”

“Calm down, princess. We’re both in a shitty situation here. You might as well lighten up.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Serious as ever.”

“Please explain to me, prince, how this could possibly be a shitty situation for you? You basically get hand delivered a wife, a party thrown in your favor, and eligibility for your own Kingdom. What part of that is shitty for you?”

I stepped back, finally putting some distance in between us. “It’s complicated,” was all I had the energy to say.

“Right; because your dumb human of a wife can’t understand anything complicated.”

“You really should get some sleep,” I said, walking to the other side of the room. “I’ll wake you if I hear anything.”

To my surprise, Jade actually got back into bed. It had to be from pure exhaustion, because Jade was too stubborn to do anything I suggested.

I listened to her breathing as it slowed.

It was only after I was sure she was asleep that I turned around to look at her.

I smiled when I saw her curled up in my bed, clutching the knife I had gifted her as if it were her only hope in this world.





CHAPTER 9





Jade





I woke up with a panic. Sweat dampened my forehead. Falling asleep was certainly not part of the plan, especially when my life was at risk. But I was still holding my weapon, my wedding gift, which was a good sign.

Perhaps Malachi let me keep it in case we were really attacked here tonight. Or maybe it was because my little knife was nothing against a fae. Maybe he knew I wasn’t even a threat against him with it.

I sat up and caught him already staring at me from the chair across the room. “You snore,” he spat.

Ignoring him, I flung the blankets off my legs and stood up. Although I didn’t remember getting under the blankets in the first place.

“It’s been quiet so far,” Malachi continued. “No sign of anything unusual. Serefin is still outside the door. Nothing from him, either.”

I nodded and folded my arms across my chest. Malachi was still shirtless, and his black wings hung casually off each side of the large sofa.

Part of me was grateful that he had waited to show me until we were alone. I was certain I had looked like an idiot, mouth gaping and everything.

But if I was being honest, Malachi looked terrifying with those things. I had heard the stories about the Prince of Shadows and his dark wings, which obviously stood out in a fae land with silver wings. But I wasn’t going to ask about them.

Malachi’s ego was big enough already.

I looked away before he caught me staring.

I walked to the large glass window, staring up at the stars that littered the sky.

“Careful,” Malachi warned. “You don’t want an arrow in the chest because you’re admiring the stars.”

I blushed, as if somehow Mal realizing what I was doing made me appear weak.

“You really think someone will try to kill me while I’m with you?”

“Yes,” he said without hesitating. His dark eyes seemed to grow even darker, swarming with emotion and exhaustion. “I do.”

I ran my hands through my hair and let out a long breath. “How were they killed?” I asked, crossing the room to sit next to him on the long sofa. “Your wives, I mean.”

“I know what you meant,” he said quietly. His eyes remained somewhere in the distance. “We found my first wife with a slit throat in the hallway during the party,” he said. “Nobody saw, nobody knew anything. We had all continued to drink like idiots, who knows how long she had been dead.”

I remained silent.

“My second wife was strangled while I slept next to her. Someone had drugged my drinks, I didn’t find her until I woke up nearly a day later.”

More silence.

“My third wife didn’t even make it to the ceremony. I guess that doesn’t technically make her a wife, but it all meant the same.”

I hid my shock.

“Who would want your wives dead?” I asked, careful with my choice of tone.

“That list is very long, princess. I’ve earned quite a few enemies in my days.”

I thought for a moment. Each of his wives had died long before now. Why was someone waiting so long to make an attempt on me?