On the heels of my words themagicof our people tightened around my body like a vice, then released. I bent over, gasping, then forced myself to stand though my spine wanted to bow under the pressure.
If he didn'tkillme, and I lived but did notfulfillmy Vow, I would pay a terrible price. The universal laws that ruled us loathed Vow breakers.
Me and my mouth.
Fortunately, it was a Vow I washappyto keep, or die trying.
Renaud blinked as if he'dforgottenhow to match facial expression to emotions. If he had emotions.
“That,” he said, “was foolish.”
When in doubt,doubledown. “But what are you going to do about it?”
“Is war with me what you want?”
My hands flexed with the need tosinka blade into his body. I could almosttastethebloodon his lips and it wasglorious.”What I want is yourdeath. And if I can't have it, I implore youkillme quickly.”
With a stroke of foresight, I knew a quick, cleandeathwould not be my fate.
Renaud's beautiful face was empty as he studied me. Mythreatmeant nothing to him, my anger and hatred insignificant. He'd struck us all down without a gesture, a blink. In his presence, late spring morphed to early winter, and the birds did not dare protest. The forest understood not to anger its god.
“I don't think you know what you want, Maryonne's child.”
“Don't say her name. Don'teversay her name.” A single step towards him, my arm twitching as if about to strike him of its own volition.
He turned his head, watching a Montague warrior came forward. A lieutenant, from the edging on the molded blue and silver leathers.
“My Prince, shall I bind the halfling wench and drag her to the palace?” He unsheathed his blade. “Or I can end her here. You need not trouble yourself.”
I curled my lip in asneer. “What a helpful little puppy you are. Be a good boy, and yourmasterwill give you a treat.”
The lieutenant glared and stepped forward.
Prince Renaud stared at him. “Leave.”
“Highness?”
“Was I unclear?” Darkness unfurled in his voice.
I shook my head, blinking rapidly, but a shadowy hint of great wings and. . .an eye manifested. A single slitted pupil opening an inch. Not on the physical plane, of course, but the same internal place where my avatar manifested. Completely mentally, unseen by anyone else.
I was traumatized, notcrazy. And this was the first time I'd ever glimpsed another Fae with an avatar. I inched my sight to the plane wheremagicwas visible as my kitten hid behind my ankle, staring with wide startled eyes at the. . .dragon.
“This is Aerinne Capulette,” the lieutenant said, brows drawing down.
I relaxed, watching the show. He spoke slowly, as if uncertain Prince Renaud understood. I grinned at him, goading hispoorbehavior. The Prince pivoted smoothly to fully face the warrior.
“She is responsible for—”
One moment he was talking, the next he collapsed to his knees, choking. I stared at the fallen warrior as he stilled. Dead.
The Prince turned and walked away. He made no gesture, but his people followed his abrupt departure, some pausing to bend down and shoulder the bodies of their fallen. I blinked a blur of darkness out of my eyes, almost like a hint of a shadow trailing the Prince. . .I shook my head. I was seeing things.
Soon, the field was clear of everyone except for Faronne.
I dragged myself to the nearest tree and leaned against it. Whatever the Prince did. . .it had given me enough to be able to function.
Myself and everyone else. Whatever power he’d expended, it must have been significant to force the Prince to leave precipitously—to conceal his weakness. My body wasn't suffering the effects of my wounds as it tried to heal. Interesting. Ididowe him, and that stoked my hatred even more.
