It’s against that pillar, hidden from the eyes of the court that Bunny kisses me, deliciously hard. He takes the Darkness building up inside and gives me something I’d been missing since arriving in this cold, barren kingdom.
Hope.
20
Bunny
Gods, her mouth. Her lips and the way her breasts look in that antique gown. I love Morgan in all ways: fighting in the ring, modeling for a painting, laughing on the rooftop garden; but here, in this dress, her image burns into my mind as one of my favorites.
She’s fought me for days, angry and hurt. I understand it, I do. Betrayal cuts deep, but I’d hoped she see the bigger plan. That once we were both here, free to roam and plant the seeds of a rebellion, we would have one another. Together, with the help of the Guardians, we would become whole.
She’s close—nudged by the need to rid herself of the Morrigan’s poison. A side effect I don’t think the queen anticipated.
“She’ll see,” she breathes.
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“She may.” I peer around the pillar and find the queen involved in conversation with her courtesans. “But I’ve blocked her from your emotions. When we’re together, she can no longer sense our bond and the strength that ties us together.”
“It’s still there, isn’t it? The bond?”
“Only one thing will tear that apart.”
Another glance tells me someone else is looking—someone dangerous. I release my hold on Morgan.
“What?” she asks. I know her worry isn’t about herself. It’s about the plan and time slipping away before the Raven Guard arrives. There’s little time for a mistake.
“Casteel. He’s watching. And waiting.”
“For what?” She slips away and the coil between us ebbs.
“For an opportunity, I’m sure. To what end, I don’t know. I’m sure the queen has made it clear you’re off limits.”
“I’ve made that clear, too.”
I smile. “I’m sure you have.”
“One day,” she says, rounding the pillar to rejoin the party. “That’s all we have to survive. One final day and this will be over.”
I watch her vanish around the marble column and hope she realizes we will have to do more than survive for the next twenty-four hours. And if she isn’t willing, then the fate of us all may succumb to the Queen and her darkness.
21
Damien
The Nead, the spacious mansion that has provided the Raven Guard shelter, suddenly feels small.
I stand in the foyer and watch as Sue and Davis jump to work, figuring out places for these men—these warriors--to sleep and prepare,until we embark on our journey to the Otherside.
I don’t know what to expect from the Legion. They’re legends—close to a myth--that Dylan would read about in his musty books, but they’re here. Standing in our foyer looking decidedly…normal.
“Does anyone need a drink?” I ask suddenly, feeling the urge. “Because I need a fucking drink.”
Sam perks up, as well as Clinton, who’s already headed to the library. I pat one of the warriors, Agis I believe, on the shoulder and nod for him to follow.
Clinton pours drinks and passes them around. Dylan comes in the room and shuts the door behind him. I swallow the fiery liquid in a quick gulp and wait for what comes next.
“First,” Dylan says, holding his drink in his hand. “We’re not looking to keep you as slaves. That has never been our interest but you how the Shaman operates. Contracts and manipulation. It was the only way.”