The crowd seemed to freeze to their spots, too afraid to breathe. I was clever enough to see the effect he had on them and understand it wasn’t normal. But to think that this whiny pretty boy was feared in a realm of powerful Fae felt like too much of a personality gap. My head was having trouble comprehending it.
I didn’t get far into my little back and forth thoughts before a woman stood in front of the table, braided white hair curling over one shoulder.
Chapter 6
It’s a Fae Thing
“Thought the Nether Royals finally did what no one could,” she hissed.
Cash offered her a smirk. “Afraid not. Your master must be so chuffed he can finally make good on his promise, aye, Siren?”
Her glare was steely. “Pets of yours?” she asked before her eyes caught on his neck, then mine. “Oh? I thought you of all people would be careful not to be caught out in the Season…with any Fae or whatever this is.”
“This” being me, I guess.
I kept my mouth shut and jaw firmly locked because I didn’t know enough to taunt this bitter bitch, and I’d rather get whatever we came for without starting trouble in a place full of Fae moans and red-skinned beasties.
To my surprise, Cash had her wrapped in his black magic and lifted off the ground before I blinked. “You’ll address mymatewith respect, Siren, or I’ll send you back to your master as ashes.”
It was as if the air had been sucked out of the room. None of the Fae around us dared to look now that he had the Siren imprisoned in black. Even the ones caught by the Season had frozen and stopped their lewd activities.
The Siren’s eyes were wide and fearful.
Had he lost his powers before leaving the Fae realm or did Harmony’s swipe of his power make its rounds here? I hadn’t thought to ask, but clearly she hadn’t expected the attack. I only knew that the witch bitch had stolen them and kept him as a love slave. It still made me queasy to think about.
Of course, he’d gotten away at some stage, but where I didn’t know, this realm or mine. Then Cash got caught up with Eros and Phillip. The Organization. Yada, yada, yada. Powers returned. Witch bitch dead.
Here we were.
It made me realize that I’d just fucked a guy I knew next to nothing about, but what else was new. I clearly had a type.
Kate’s mouth was wide open when I glanced her way, shellshocked by the sudden appearance of his mummifying magic. I’d wondered how she might handle it, and I wasn’t even a little bit surprised to find that she had the quintessential human reaction to it. I’d been just as surprised by each terrifying creature after only knowing vampires, so I took her hand and offered my support.
Cash’s cat eyes stayed on the white-haired Siren, daring her to give him a reason to do what he threatened. He wouldn’t hesitate.
She offered a curt nod and the black power that encompassed her body receded, never truly disappearing. She sucked in a breath and held her throat. “You—”
“Are no longer subdued.” He leaned back, examining his black-painted nails. “I no longer need stones alone. Your masterwill do well to remember it, or I will not be as forgiving when next we meet.”
Cash was on his feet, offering me his hand. I took it with a confused eyebrow. He didn’t respond the way I expected. With a gentle tug, his mouth came down on mine without preamble.
Kate made a little noise of both surprise and enabling best friend excitement. I didn’t have to wonder what Kate would do in this instance, because she’d be doing this very thing if given the option.
My noise was a little less enthused as I tried to pull away, annoyed for more reasons than I could count, and not just because of him. But I couldn’t get away. My monster strength was apparently no match for this new version of Cash.
And he took full advantage of it.
His tongue pushed its way past my lips and flicked everywhere sensitive. The swift claiming heat of the Season whittled away my carefully maintained control. In less than ten seconds, I was kissing him back with just as much passion, mewling like I didn’t have anything to lose—you know, aside from my dignity.
I blinked in a daze when he finally withdrew and cut his glowing lavender stare the Siren’s direction. “This little dove ismine,and I expect the realm to remember it. An assault on her in any form is an assault on me. And that includes her human friend.”
The Siren’s startled eyes flew to where Kate was still seated, half in shock and half in awe. If my head hadn’t been so far gone, I’d roll my eyes at how easy she was won over by the Fae Karen gone full villain. No doubt she’d be wishing it were her in my spot. The girl was a huge dark romance stan.
“Forgive me, Dark King.”
Wait, what? Dark King? Another name that inspired nothing but villain thoughts? Great.
A little paper appeared between two of his fingers as he offered it to her without bothering to move closer or stop touching me. “He’ll comealoneto this location in two hours if he wishes to keep his life and everyone he holds dear.”
