“I’m very considerate.” He nods along.
And humble too.
Together, we wander down a gray stone staircase with crystal railings adorned with blue-and-white stones. At the bottom of the steps, light pours into the open space from rows of floor-to-ceiling windows that give a view so breathtaking, the world spins around me.
This castle truly hangs off the edge of a cliff, and the water goes for miles and miles until it reaches the horizon and is lost. I can imagine the sunsets here, not that I need to because there was a darling painting of it upstairs, but still, the picture comes to mind easily.
“My bedroom has windows like this too.” He nods. “Dinner in bed can be quiterewarding.”
“With a view like this, I have no doubt.” Dalziel lets me go easily as I slip away from his grasp and wander toward the windows. I revel in the quiet and wonder how I was ever able to survive life in court for so long before the Wild Hunt. My heart pangs with a cold sorrow for what I miss. I never thought I would ever say that I miss the Wild Hunt.
The games Nollix and I play. Carver’s doting manners—I try not to think too hard on his declaration of love. I can already picture his sad puppy dog eyes when I inevitably break his heart. I hate myself even more for it. If only I could feel for him as I do for Nollix. At this point, I would even take Jeriko’s smartass remarks and every physical altercation over the life I’m currently living.
I lean into the glass, my fingerprints disappearing as I pull away. His father’s power no doubt keeps this place nice and clean. I turn back, and Dalziel is waiting at the tip of my toes. His arms cage me in, and I press my back to the glass, wishing for a moment that it would just shatter, and I’d fall to my own watery grave.
But it doesn’t. I’m still here. And Dalziel teases his nose against mine.
“Prince Dalziel,” I breathe.
“You’re so bloody beautiful. I just want to taste you.”
My stomach twists, but it isn’t from flattery or the rushing feeling of attraction. No, this is more like dread, fear, and a dash of disgust. I place a hand on his chest, trying to gently push him away. His figure doesn’t budge. In fact, one of his hands lowers to my hips, where he squeezes the bottom of my corset so hard, I suck in a sharp breath.
“Please,” I whisper.
He groans, tipping his head up and pressing his body against mine. “I’m going to love it when you fucking beg.” His hips grind against me, and even through the fabric of my gown, I can feel his hard cock.
My lips tremble. I’m shivering with a nervous energy that sends a tingling sensation over my skin. Black-and-gold flecks of dust float between us. I look down as my stomach clenches tightly and watch my scar overtake my hand and a wind current carry it away. My face snaps up to the prince who looks back down at me with wide eyes.
Nausea works its way up my throat, burning and violently forcing itself out of me. I retch once, and Dalziel freezes against me. I gag again, and everything I was able to consume when I’d awoken becomes a projectile that splatters against his chest and soaks through his shirt.
His boots echo through the large room as he takes a few steps away. The prince’s pretty smiles and knowing smirks have been replaced with a look of horror. He holds the material of his top away from his torso, cursing, and looks back up to me.
I’m becoming nothing but ash on the breeze before him. Blood drains from his cheeks. With my one hand that remains visible, I wipe vomit away from my mouth, and for the first time in a while, I genuinely smile.
“Death calls.”
Chapter Fourteen
Merrick
Despite my small quarrel with Violence, I find it much easier to relax here in the Court of Winds. Don’t get me wrong; there are still a thousand and one things that I should and need to be worrying about, but not having to run into one of my brothers, Queen Lairis, or worse, my father at every turn is in itself a relief. It almost feels as if I’m on vacation.
Their palace, which I’ve heard referred to as the Tempest Palace, is full of windows and breezy air carried on a never-ending current from the large lake that surrounds them. Prince Dalziel has graciously allowed us access to the royal family’s private beach. A small slice of secluded sand and the quiet rush of crashing waves. I breathe with the rhythm of the ocean and soak in the sun.
With bare feet, I jog through the sand to where the autumn-blooming wildflowers grow in a small patch. An empty vase waits on the small table brought out for such an occasion. A long dish has been set with several assortments of finger foods. Two smaller plates wait with their paired glasses of bubbling liquor, a bottle standing by for refills. I may need a few drinks to calm the nervous flutter in the pit of my stomach.
I don’t remember the last time I was nervous to spend time with any female.
I tear a few flowers from the ground. Every step I take kicks sand out in wide arcs around me. A few small granules find their home in the cuffs of my pants that expose my ankles. A warm wind from the horizon has my mostly unbuttoned white shirt flapping against my body as I settle the flowers into the glass.
The quiet patter of footsteps carries down the narrow path I’d taken an hour ago. For the quickest slice of time, I’m back in bed waiting for the assassin to strike. Fear pulls my spine straight and sends my head snapping to the side to follow the sound. My sword sits in its sheath under my seat.
Bright blue eyes find mine, and my weapon and fears are quickly forgotten. Whether Valentina had brought the dress or the Court of Winds had dressed her for this occasion, she is a sight to see. An angel descending from heaven to grace my poor, undeserving soul in the pits of hell. Thin straps hold up a cream gown that catches the gentle wind. The dress parts where a long slit runs all the way up to her thigh and exposes her slender legs. The top is fitted perfectly to her torso, some sort of wiring like a corset supporting her chest in such a way that it allows me to see more than I ever have of her body.
Valentina takes my fucking breath away.
Her cherry-painted lips spread into a small grin. The constantly billowing air current pulls strands out of her long braid, and they catch in her eyelashes and the corner of her mouth.
