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“T-too right, my lord.” Foalan staggered to his feet, his forehead openly bleeding. “Thank you for punishing us for our disrespect.”
The only response from the pile that was Meallan was angry growls, snaps, and roars.
I winced looking at him. He was unfortunate enough to fall ass over his head. His cock and balls flapped around like two rotund people straining to stick a pole on top of an ass crack.
“You test my already strained patience.” Alisdair struck a glare through me to belie the words. “You will tell me why you’rebreaking the truce by crossing territories, or I’ll move straight to killing you for it.”
Meallan righted himself, mouth practically foaming with rage. He was nothing like the odd, smirking, calm stranger I met in the winter woods.
“You wouldn’t dare,” he barked, blowing my brows high.
With what kind of confidence, strength, or secret magic weapon did he speak to Alisdair that way? And where did I get it too?
“I am not here for you, toy king. I’m here for her.”
I looked from Meallan, my surroundings, then back to him. The fact remained he was looking at me. “Excuse me? Here for me?”
“That’s right, Queen Emiana, ruler of nothing and owned by no one.” His brows smoothed out as his grin returned. “Surely you remember me? Why, wasn’t it just the other night we had a delightful, naked interlude in the woods?”
A low, hair-raising, blood-chilling sound filled the room, tightening my grip on the chair arms. I’d heard Alisdair growl many times, but this was worse. Much, much... worse.
“Watch yourself.” Bradach stepped forward. His grin was nowhere to be seen.
I blinked at him. I’d never seen such a murderous expression on his face before. Its closest match was Foalan’s as they both converged on Meallan.
“Disrespect my queen again, and I’ll introduce Foalan to his newsister.” A blade appeared in Bradach’s hand. He swiped his tongue across the tip, driving his point brutally home. “Go on. I dare you.”
“Absolutely not, Bradach,” Foalan said smoothly. “If anyone is going to turn this cur into a pup”—two swords were in his hands in a blink—“it’ll be me.”
Meallan laughed, further shocking me with his confidence. I didn’t say how I knew, but Bradach and Foalan weren’t joking.
“Settle down, pets. As I said, this is between me and Lady Ana.” His gaze trapped mine over their shoulders. “You swore if we met again, you’d honor your debt and gift me a favor. That night has come.”
Alisdair half rose from his seat. “Favor?”
“Correct.” He shoved past Bradach and Foalan. “Your queen broke the truce and entered our territory. Not only did I spare you the death I was owed by rights, but I offered her shelter, and then aided her on her way when it was denied.”
“What? That’s nonsense. Lies,” he barked. “You wouldn’t do any one of those things. You’d skin your own mother and wear her for a coat if the breeze shifted. Not for a moment would I believe you spared andoffered her sanctuary.” Alisdair laughed nastily. “Get out, or I’ll castrate you my—”
“But it’s true.”
All eyes flew to me. Alisdair’s, Bradach’s, Foalan’s, and the watching villagers. Shock twisted their faces.
“What? What’s wrong?” I asked, skin prickling. “He did offer to shelter me among his people the night I tried to outrun you and the runes. I said no, so he taught me how to mask my scent.” The conversation came back to me. “I also said that I would help him like he helped me if I ran into him again, but, no offense, Meallan, I was hoping we would not see each other again.” I turned a burning sneer on Alisdair. “Because it meant I didn’t escapehim.”
“My deepest apologies, Lady Ana. Believe it or not, even though I’m here today, I did ask Meya to bless your feet, and curse his.”
A large, dark figure was suddenly between us, overwhelming my nose with pine, rain, and nutty shaela bread drizzled with orange jam.
Yes,I thought, inhaling deep before I knew what I was doing.That’s Alisdair’s scent. Empty, deceptive, a lie.
“You come here today for your death. She was not my mate when she entered your territory, or when she granted you favor.”
Meallan tsked. “Come now. You know as well as I those distinctions only would’ve mattered if she succeeded in escaping the mating bond. Now you are one. Your soul, your power, your promises are bound by magics we cannot comprehend... or defy.
“I will ask my favor, and it will be granted, or by rights I will claim the life I spared.”
The sentence penetrated, clenching my jaw tight. Did Meallan just say he’d kill me if he didn’t get what he wanted?
