The Dark Fae (The World of Fae #1)(49)

Right. Gambling away his deceased wives’ moneys while out until all hours of the night.

The petite blonde fairly glowed with pride. She was of the sphinx fae, their kind being notoriously good-natured, one of the oldest fae civilizations, if not the earliest, who opted for peace first when faced with any confrontation.

Sessily wanted to make a face and tell her what had happened to all his former new wives, but smiled and chatted pleasantly instead. Let the lady believe what she would about the snake she was married to. When she was out of mourning, she could find a husband who would truly be the one for her.

Tonight, Sessily had worn a dark purple veil over her hair and dark clothes so that she could slip out into the night as soon as she’d accomplished her task and then…vanish, in the fae way of travel.

Lord Davenport abruptly entered the library, surprising her that he would return so early from the gaming tables. Immediately, she stiffened her back. Lady Marguerite nearly jumped from her chair to greet him. But he was cool with her, until he saw Sessily. Had the honeymoon already worn off?

“You have a lady visitor,” he said, sounding surprised and a little wary. Was Sessily messing up his plans to kill his wife tonight?

“Yes, this is Lady Sessily,” Marguerite said sweetly, but with such pride Sessily almost felt ill-at-ease that she had bamboozled her to such a degree. On the other hand, she was here to save the lady’s life, nothing more.

“She inherited Doverton Castle of the turtle fae realm. Do you know the place? She was a friend of my late cousin and wished to meet me and tell me how much she missed her. Isn’t that sweet of her?” Marguerite asked.

Lord Davenport’s expression changed from annoyance that anyone would be visiting his wife, to intrigue when he heard Sessily had a castle to call her own.

The turtle fae also were known to be good-natured, but they lived by the sea and revered the power and steadfastness of the giant sea turtle. They were a minor fae kingdom, related to the major royal house of the Denkar fae who were much more warlike. If Lord Davenport had been targeting women of the main fae kingdoms, he might not have ventured into the turtle fae kingdom yet seeking a bride, so that might appeal to him also. He would be unknown there. The look of greedy speculation was written all over his face.

Sessily gave a small tilt of her head, acknowledging him, wishing she could correct the misconception. She was a dark fae, hunter type, trained as an assassin. She was certain he would not be considering her as a bride choice if he knew all there was to know about her.

She did not have the good-natured disposition of the turtle fae, but the much darker personality of the Denkar. If someone snapped at her, she could easily bite right back. The turtle fae would turn the other cheek.

But then Lord Davenport’s expression changed, and he stared at her, frowning, looking puzzled. “Have we met before?”

In a dark alley, she thought. Although she wasn’t sure how much he could have seen of her.

“I don’t socialize much,” she said softly.

He smiled at that. Easy prey. No one would even know that she died if he married her.

“You have family? A brother?”

A brother who would give her away to a snake like him? “No family.” She was sure her mouth twitched up a bit. He was already seeing if she fit his needs, planning his courtship.

“Doverton Castle is two fae kingdoms to the north. You must stay the night. Fae travel for that much of a distance can be…taxing,” he said.

It could be, but she was used to it. Not that she truly lived at Doverton. It was her cover after all.

But she often hopped from kingdom to kingdom in search of her appointed targets. Some fae rarely used fae travel, preferring horseback, walking, carriage rides. But she liked to get to where she was going. Fast. And unseen. The travel didn’t make her dizzy like it did the fae who didn’t travel that way much. Unless she traveled too great a distance.

She shook her head. “I couldn’t impose upon your generosity.”

“No, my lord is quite right. You must stay. Enjoy our hospitality,” Marguerite said, her expression pure joy.

And kill a lord, Sessily thought, and save you from your own folly.