Grison flicked his hand in silent dismissal, swirling the flavorless wine in the goblet he’d managed to pilfer from the Talaenian ruins prior to those cursed mix-bloods’ world being restored. Cecir bowed, turned, and left him in the dark silence of the cavernous room. His only solace came from the soft crackling of a fire in a makeshift hearth woven together with magic and spells. Flames danced on poorly constructed beeswax tapers secured to surfaces using melted wax. The luxuries of Court no longer graced him and his followers. Nay. He would suffer through this indignity, as ’twas only temporary.
Once he solidified Thaddeus’s loyalty beneath webs of deception, the Fae would have no choice but to follow his every command, lest he be delivered to Dagda and granted a death sentence for his role in the attack on the Talaenian world.
For now, he needed Thaddeus’s rare gift. ’Twould protect them all until he was ready to launch an attack and claim the Seelie throne as his own.
Tossing back the rest of the wine, he sighed and turned away from the fire.
And froze.
“Naught more than a peaceful façade while turmoil brews in your mind, aye? You seem…unsettled.”
Thaddeus tested the edge of his glinting blade with the pad of his finger, from hilt to tip, observing the narrow line of blood his blade drew. The cold Fae didn’t react to his broken skin, but rather chuckled as he licked the blood from his thumb before he sheathed his treasured dagger. He pushed off the arm of the upholstered chair and folded his hands behind his back, observing Grison’s small quarters with naught more than a disapproving half-grin as he slowly approached. Grison masked his unease over the Fae’s stealthy arrival and indifferent demeanor. Thaddeus seldom gave away his thoughts in his expressions. The Fae’s eyes were cold as ice, unrevealing.
Those glacial eyes finally cut to Grison and pierced through his soul. Grison straightened his shoulders and mirrored his opponent’s poise, hands folded behind him while he wove threads of magic between his fingers. ’Twas one of his only defenses against Thaddeus, his stolen means of control.
Thaddeus’s grin fell, his lips naught more than a severe line. His eyes narrowed slightly.
“’Tis safe to assume you’ve not handled the case with your brother?”
“What’s the hurry? ’Tis been a day in the mortal world, mere hours in this sub-faction of Faery. I recall saying specifically I would investigate the situation, aye? Investigationstake time. ’Twould be a terrible tragedy to murder a Fae without proof of wrongdoing.”
Thaddeus arched a brow and leaned toward Grison, that cruel, uncaring grin returning. Grison tamped down the unease this particular Fae had always elicited within him. A Fae who had been broken down and rebuilt to Daeanna’s specifications. A heartless, ruthless threat. He doubted Thaddeus held the capacity for remorse, which made him Grison’s greatest weapon and his greatest danger.
The one who could control him completely was dead. Grison could only use Daeanna’s memory to his benefit until Thaddeus followed through with Cael. Then he’d have another strike to use against the Fae. Another level in this web he’d woven to gain complete control over this lethal creature.
“I believe we witnessed such consequences with Daeanna’s downfall.”
“’Twas her weakness and short-sightedness involving a mortal woman as a pawn in her game,” Grison said, matching Thaddeus’s cool grin. “A flawed strategy based off emotional drive. Emotions you do not possess.”
“Mm. You believe me to possess no heart? No conscience?”
Grison chuckled. “I believe youdopossess reservations beneath your calculating mind.”
Thaddeus took one more step, bringing him toe to toe with Grison. He stood a few inches taller than Grison, overwhelming the space around them. The air became stifling and heavy, the power that was so carefully restrained within Thaddeus feeding the air with a low-pitch hum. The Fae did not blink, not once, his gaze boring deep into Grison’s head. A faint ache developed at the back of his skull, at the pace of his heartbeat.
“Careful how you use me, then. A pet with no care to consequence holds no reserve when it comes to attacking his master.”
A few long, tense moments passed. Grison dared not move, holding his ground, his pride, in place.
“We shall benefit greatly working together, Thaddeus. ’Tis not solely for my own rewards I bring you on, but the Tuatha de Danann in their entirety.” His grin stretched. “Daeanna would not have wished for you to perish on that field. You are this movement’s greatest ally. ’Tis one reason Cecir and I saved you.”
Thaddeus chuckled again, the deep sound low, threatening. He lifted his head, finally breaking his soul-sucking gaze, and turned away. Grison released a worried breath slowly as Thaddeus moved back to the chair at a deliberate pace. The prickle of Thaddeus’s magic receded with its wielder, a small relief, but the Fae’s presence continued to suffocate him.
“You’ve always had a way of speaking in riddles and omissions, Grison. I do envy such talent. You should teach me how to manipulate words to maintain truths without exposure. I do believe I lack the degree of eloquence you possess. ’Tis a talent I wish to nurture in myself.”
Grison’s brows furrowed. If anyone had a talent for twisting words to avoid mistruths, ’twas Thaddeus. For one, he seldom spoke, and when he did, ’twas with precision. Many exposed themselves before this Fae, fooled by his deceptive eloquence. Another reason Grison had saved the beast.
What strategy are you trying to lay?
“’Twould be a shame for me to trip over my words and reveal secrets that could potentially bring ruin to you and this movement, should I find myself in a situation with my back to a wall. I value what time remains of my life, Grison, and Ishall do what I must to preserve it.” Thaddeus paused in the middle of the room. Slowly, he turned back to Grison, his expression flat, emotionless. ’Twas the flare of warning in his eyes that kept Grison on high alert. The flicker of magic over his neck. “I shall continue my investigation into Cael. Do not rush me. Do not send your men. Do not hinder my observation.” An empty smile curled the corner of his mouth. “You either trust me to do as you request, or you do not. I am no one’s tool.”
Grison laughed briefly. “We are all tools, Thaddeus. Don’t believe yourself above a pawn in a greater game. Daeanna recruited many of us. ’Tis why I’m able to build this movement. She may have favored you in her bed, but we all reaped the pleasure of the Seelie princess. Every man in this movement knows her bed, and knows it well. You simply happened to be her favored pet.”
The Fae’s eyes blazed, but the fire quickly settled. Grison grinned inwardly. Daeanna was Thaddeus’s weakness, and he would use that to his advantage every chance he could.
“Had she survived and requested this of you, I doubt you would hesitate to carry out Cael’s inevitable sentence. Yet you hesitate upon my request when ’tis merely following Daeanna’s greater vision. I am but a means of fulfilling her vision of a perfect, powerful, pure Seelie race with no contamination.”
“I’ll be sure to remember that.” He nodded his head in a simple, languid motion. “After all, I have you to thank for saving my life, aye?”
