Zahruk’s stare narrowed on Ryder before sliding to meet mine. “That isn’t happening to me, brother. The only thing I’ve murdered lately is pussy, and I tend to stick around long enough to ensure it’s resuscitated before I move on to the next willing victim. My appetite has intensified, but I do not leave the women dead. I just ensure they’re well pleasured and pleading for more.”
I snorted. “I don’t think the women would agree there.”
Zahruk’s gaze glimmered with laughter and something darker “Your eyes,” I whispered, moving closer to inspect the specks floating amongst the sapphire backdrop. “They’re like Asher’s, Zahruk. Lucian mentioned that the prison could be searching for creatures strong enough to change into the seelie princes and princesses it was missing. Your changes, they’re not because you were named King of the Horde. You don’t house the beast, which means it isn’t from Faery. It’s true, isn’t it? You’re becoming one of the princes, aren’t you?” I blinked, shaking out of the spell his gaze held me trapped within.
“I think so, yes. Inside my head, I can hear them beckoning me to them. They’re calling the changed creatures to the seelie prison and promising them unlimited power and women,” Zahruk admitted, drifting his attention to his brother. “I have not responded, of course. My place is here, with you.” He turned and Ryder and I both tensed when we got the first good look at the wings covered in shimmering obsidian that reflected the light of the chamber.
“You’re my brother. We’ll face everything coming together, Zahruk,” Ryder announced as Zahruk turned back toward us.
“Your wife announced I wasn’t welcome here.” Zahruk’s sapphire gaze glittered, and a sinister smile lifted his lips as Ryder’s attention swung toward me.
“I thought you were an intruder when I said that. For crying out loud, I thought there was a strange being hovering over my head, inside my bedroom. You’re always welcome here. You know that,” I stated firmly, daring him to rebuke my words.
He smiled, but it was all teeth before he turned to face Ryder. “You should at least ensure she’s covered when you leave her after slaking your hunger on her body, brother. The weather is growing more menacing, and not relenting. At least build a fire for your breeding mate to keep her warm as she slumbers. I know you depended on me to tend to the fire after you’d exited her chamber before, but I won’t always be here.” Ryder’s attention slipped back to Zahruk, who’d slipped into speaking in a layered voice. My stomach clenched, and apprehension settled within me.
“I’ll remember to do so before I exit the chamber.”
“See that you do.” Zahruk sauntered out of the apartment with an inhuman gait.
The door sealed behind him, and neither of us moved from where we stood.
“Did you see how he moved?” Ryder questioned.
“I did, and I’m not sure he even realizes it.” Ryder started from the room, but I called him back. “Where are you off to?” I asked, worried that he’d left the bed without waking me. Normally he lounged beside me, waiting for me to wake.
“To tend to the shit unfolding from the storm,” he announced gently. “The boys returned this morning. Half the unit they marched with vanished before they reached the palace. I am forming scouting parties to see if we can locate them and bring them home before the temperature drops lower. We also have family showing up, and others seeking refuge from the storm. I didn’t want to wake you since I wasn’t gentle last night. You also didn’t stir when I kissed every inch of your gorgeous face this morning. You’ve had a lot of things to deal with, and I have been out scouring the countryside, not doing much else.”
“Oh.” I smirked, drifting my eyes over him before I moved closer, lifting to place my lips against his. “I’m glad you’re home and that I can finally breathe again with you near. Go and be the king they need. I’ll be down shortly.”
He yanked me closer, and I slipped my arms around his back while he walked me toward the bed. Sliding my palms up his powerful back, I groaned, pushing my fingers through his silky hair, and my mouth lowered to his, claiming it softly. Ryder walked us toward the bed, smiling while he followed me down on the mattress until he placed a hand beside my head, and lowered his lips to mine, kissing me gently.
“Rest, and I’ll send the attendant up with some sweets and tea for my breeding mate.”
“Do you want these fists, Fairy? Those two words better never leave that skilled tongue beside one another ever again. If they do, you’re going to see me go from goddess to wicked witch in seconds flat.” He chuckled, planting a kiss on my forehead before he drew back, staring at the shattered door. His magic rushed through the room, and the chill vanished as the door repaired itself. “I love you.”
“You better after last night.” He chuckled wickedly.
He exited the room, and long after he’d left, I remained rooted in place. I had a sinking sensation in my stomach that something was horribly wrong. I couldn’t shake the feeling that that soon we’d be donning our armor and heading to battle against an unseen enemy.
Chapter Twelve
The blizzard raged outside the palace walls. Wind howled vociferously through the basin, forcing turmoil to churn in the inhabitants existing here. Ryder and the boys had gone back out to scout for the missing guards. He’d taken some of his brothers with them for backup in case they ran into trouble.
I’d started ordering supplies months ago to prepare for the celebration, and now I was determining what we had and tallying stores to disperse to those who showed up. The tithes that had been paid were also being split up and handed out to fae who came to us for help. Unfortunately, supplies were diminishing far more rapidly than they were coming in. Although I’d sent people out to gather more, the persistent assault of ice and snow attacking the land made it unlikely they’d return quickly.
Ciara walked beside me, Fury on her right, and Phoenix firmly planted on her hip. We entered the throne room, which was full of laughter and chatter as family and friends feasted on the evening meal. Enjoying the sight of them cracking jokes and talking to one another, I smiled until the door of the feeder room crashed open behind me.
A woman slipped out of the doors, plastering her back against the wall. The girl’s wrists and thighs were both welted with what looked like handprints or marks from being held down. The woman’s coloring was ashen, and yet she didn’t make a peep or gesture for help. It wasn’t uncommon for men to get rough with them, but we’d assured there was a varying assortment of kinky creatures kept in service for Ryder’s unmated brothers, or incoming guests. Our eyes locked, and she scampered away while I wrinkled my nose, noting the red marks on her wrists and throat. Her blonde hair was soaking wet—either from water or sweat—and she walked as if it ached to physically do the simple task.
I turned toward the door, considering investigating who’d mishandled her. The thing was, that room was nothing but a fuck-fest, and entering it would have me up close, and a lot more personal with Ryder’s brothers, and men than I wished to be.
“Synthia?” Ciara asked, her violet gaze searching my face before she peered around to see what had caused me to suddenly pause. “Is everything all right?”