A Throne of Ruin (Deliciously Dark Fairytales 2)

Looking around as though they’d been slapped, they slowly got to their feet. None of them uttered a peep.

Nyfain stared them all down, and I wondered why he got to wear jeans and a T-shirt when I had to wear tailored finery. Though I did have to admit that the effects of these very comfortable clothes were worth looking like a snobby noble.

One by one, they offered stiff bows.

“Come,” Nyfain said to me, his hand applying pressure.

When we stepped outside, he led me around to the back. Dabnye followed at a distance, probably nervous to be in the presence of the prince.

“I’m impressed,” he said. “I thought you were going to explode.”

“I felt like it.”

“This was the better way. The professional way. You’ll get the same results, but they’ll respect you more for this approach.”

“It wasn’t nearly as fun, though.”

“No. Not to fear—at least one of them will defy you. You can set the example then.”

“We’re not done yet,” I said as the horses came into sight.

“I figured. How bad is it?”

“Very. And I am incredibly disappointed in you that you didn’t know.”

He stopped me in front of his horse. Hadriel glanced over from the corner of the building, where he stood talking to a buxom woman with a ruddy face. He straightened up quickly and smoothly put a mug of what was probably ale behind his back. I wasn’t sure who he thought he was fooling.

“Finley, as I said, this village operates a certain way,” Nyfain said. “They all do. Since the curse, this is a fractured kingdom. They won’t let me get too involved in their day-to-day affairs, and I don’t have the resources to push the issue. Just there, I did what I could. I froze taxes and rent so that they can’t siphon the extra money from people you’ll be helping for free.”

“I get what you’re saying, but Nyfain, you are the only person still able to shift in this entire kingdom. You turn into an enormous beast. You have more than enough might. You keep telling me it’s your duty to protect all these people. Well, part of that is protecting them from themselves and each other. This isn’t like normal times. Nothing right now is like normal times. These people are stuck here. They can’t get out and find better treatment. They can’t change their stars if they are constantly kept down. And they are definitely kept down. If you don’t push the issue and do something for them, who will?”

His eyes sparkled and warmth seeped through the bond. He ran his thumb along my chin.

“You will. You will do something for them. You will be their savior, and I will be your muscle. Together we will cure this kingdom.”

He kissed me slowly, nibbling on my bottom lip. “Now I must go to the other villages and warn them of your coming. This village had to learn the hard way. Hopefully the others will start working a little more diligently on spreading the wealth. Hadriel will take you where you need to go. I assume it is to get supplies to help the slip of a girl who likely reminds you of a younger you?”

I put a hand on his chest and then leaned in a little, wanting his arms around me. He complied immediately. “Obvious, is it? She looks about my age when I first had to go into the wood after everlass.”

“I remember. But she isn’t that girl. She won’t have to do it on her own, because of you. Where will you go right now?”

“Home. I need to get some dried crowded everlass and steal Hannon while I’m there. If the kids weren’t in school, I’d grab them, too. We need someone with bedside manner and experience. I only have one of those things.”

He nodded. “We must be long gone before the demons emerge. When you are through for the day, I’ll escort you to the castle.”

Tingles spread across my flesh at the promise in his tone. I could barely breathe as he kissed me again and turned.

“Hadriel, hurry now. The royal healer has places she needs to visit.”

Hadriel took a step toward us, bobbing his head in a strange sort of bow. He showed his back for a moment, upended his mug, and passed it over to the woman. He waved and jogged my way.

“At your command, sir. We will ride!” He untied his horse and swung up onto it in a smooth, easy motion.

Nyfain gracefully jumped onto the back of his stallion, gave me a nod, and kicked with his heels. Man and horse cantered out of the area.

“Oh.” Hadriel stared after them. “Uh…what?”

“He’s going to warn the other villages of my coming, I guess.” I waved my hand at him for help up. “I don’t know what he’s so energized about. The fight has just begun.”