He turned to me, his brow creased. “We’re sleeping alone.”
“I know. But I can still eat dinner with you.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I’d like that.”
The room itself was beautiful, with a vaulted ceiling and round windows overlooking a little courtyard filled with tables.
Tarron pulled me toward him. “Are you sure about this?”
“What? Going to see the Dragon Bloods?”
“Yes. And asking them to make you more like your mother. That’s your goal, isn’t it?”
“To be as powerful as her—yes. Not evil. But I need to be able to fight fire with fire.”
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea. That seems like it would just create more fire.”
“I can control it.” I clenched my fists. “And if the Dragon Bloods don’t think that is a solution, they’ll have another one. I know they will.”
“You know, or you’re desperate?”
“Maybe both.” I reached up and held his face. “I’d do anything to save you.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
He was worried I’d risk my life for his.
Of course I would.
I’d risk everything.
“I’m going to try to get in touch with Claire.” I drew in a deep breath. “But I need to do it alone.”
His brow furrowed.
“She may reveal something about the Resistance location. If the false queen gets control of you—or manages to use you as a spy—I can’t risk them.”
His jaw tightened. “But you’d risk yourself in my presence?”
“To save you, of course.” I shrugged. “It’s obviously risky, but this is something I can try to control.”
He nodded. “I understand.”
There was still a light of pain in his eyes, but he did clearly get it. He’d do the same.
“I’ll be in the hall.” He left the room and I knelt, reaching into the ether to withdraw my bag of potion bombs. I fished around for the tiny vial of powder that I knew should be floating around the bottom somewhere.
The familiar shape hit my fingertips, and I grabbed it. Quickly, I pulled out the cork and tossed a pinch into the fire.
“Show me Claire.”
The flames flickered and danced, and Claire’s face appeared. She had a streak of dirt across her cheek, and her dark eyes were weary.
She smiled at the sight of me. “Mari.”
“Claire. How are you?”
“Good. We’re here in the Unseelie Realm. Luna used your blood and helped us get in. We’ve made contact with the Resistance.”
“And what about the queen?”
“She’s up to something, definitely,” Claire said. “Just like your dream said. The Resistance has been keeping an eye on her, and they think she’s preparing something. She’s really ramped up her efforts in the last twelve hours. A lot more magic is coming from the castle.”
“Of course she has.”
“When can you get here?” Claire asked. “The sooner the better, I think. She’s growing more powerful with every hour that passes.”
“Hopefully soon. We’ve found the Dragon Bloods and are going tomorrow at dawn.”
“Good. We’re continuing to gather Resistance forces here. Now that you’re in the picture, the Unseelie here are more confident in their ability to take on the queen.”
“Fates, I hope their faith is well placed.”
“It is.” Claire smiled. “I’d bet my life on it.”
“You are. Just by being there. And I appreciate it more than I can say.”
“I like a good adventure. I like revolt even more.”
That’s what this all was leading to—a legit revolution. “We’ll be there soon. Be safe.”
Claire disappeared in the fire.
I stood and opened the door. Tarron stood about five yards down the hall, and he turned to me. “Safe to come back?”
“Come on.”
I returned to the room, and he joined me, shutting the door behind me. He joined me in front of the fire, where I stood absorbing its warmth.
“I’m really sorry about that,” I said.
“It’s fine.”
“I can tell from your voice that it isn’t.”
“It’s the circumstance, not you.” His face soften briefly, right before his lips tightened and his brow furrowed. The energy in the air changed.
“Are you okay?”
“Fine.”
But his voice was gruff. His eyes were pinched at the sides, but they were still green. “All right, if you’re sure.”
“I—” He doubled over, gasping.
I gripped his shoulders. “You’re unwell.”
“Go.” Tarron gasped, his voice ragged. “Mari, get away.”
Shit. This wasn’t sickness—it was the false queen. I backed away, but he was too fast.
His eyes flashed a brilliant gold, shot through with black. The change came on impossibly fast.
My heart spiked into my throat. “This isn’t you, Tarron.”
“Of course it’s me,” he growled.
I backed up toward the wall, my mind racing. The false queen’s influence was coursing through Tarron. His eyes gleamed gold and his face was set in harsh lines. Fists formed at his sides.
“Stop it. You’re stronger than the curse.”
“I am the curse.” He backed me up against the wall, looming over me.
Oh, shit.
7
Tarron loomed over me, caging me in with his arms. His usual signature, the scent of an autumn day, had been replaced by the reek of brimstone.
“It really isn’t you,” I whispered.
“Of course it is,” he growled.
A shiver of fear raced over me. It was like the man I loved had been replaced by a monster who wore his skin.
He grasped my throat, cutting off my air. I gasped, but all I could do was choke. He tightened his fist.
“Stop,” I tried to say, but the words were strangled.
He just tightened his fist more.
Shit.
“You could have been on her side,” he hissed.
My vision began to blacken, and terror spiked within me. He wasn’t going to stop.
An animal instinct to fight back rose within me. I reached up and punched him in the face, giving it all of my Dragon Blood strength. His head snapped back, and he grunted.
The fist around my throat loosened briefly, and I gasped in air.
Tarron looked back at me, green flickering in his golden eyes.
“Fight it,” I begged raggedly.
He shook his head, his hand loosening at my throat.
“Fight…it.”
His eyes turned gold and his fist tightened.
I struck him again, panic beating wildly behind my ribs. His head snapped back again, and when he looked at me, his eyes flickered green. His fist loosened.
“Fight it,” I begged.
He tore himself away from me, gasping and leaning over, his hands propped on his knees. “Get away from me.”
I backed toward the far wall. “You’re stronger than her, Tarron.”