A Throne of Ruin (Deliciously Dark Fairytales 2)

His jaw tightened. He couldn’t argue with that.

I put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll be careful. I promise. That’s why I’m leaving through the back. Jedrek is the best tracker out of all his bros, but he’s not excellent. I’m a helluva lot more cunning than a deer.”

Hannon yanked me into a tight hug. “Damn it, Finley. When will life be easy for us? Is normal too much to ask?”

I laughed softly. “Normal is boring anyway.”

He watched me jog into the backyard and scale the fence. As soon as the night enveloped me, my animal pushed harder to the surface. I let her have plenty of room, needing her more than ever right now. Scents drifted on the breeze and tickled our nose. Coriander, thyme, a sweet floral scent, and the fading remnants of a decaying critter.

I could’ve done without that last one.

No people. No demons. Good news.

Still cautious, I darted between fences, tiptoed across yards, and broke for the tree line. In mere minutes, I was on my way to the birch, jogging fast. The wood lay quiet around us. My breathing and the rhythmic thud of my footfalls were the only sounds I could discern. Nyfain must have been through here and swept away all the riffraff, and none of the normal life had returned. It felt like a dead zone.

All I wanted was to see him again. The notes were no longer enough.

The birch shook and danced as I ducked around it and headed to the bush. The familiar yellow package lay in wait, tied with string to indicate Nyfain had been there. This time it wasn’t a book shape, though, but a long rectangle. Hurrying, my animal keeping tabs on the sounds and smells around us, I untied the string and pushed back the material.

I couldn’t help sucking in a breath.

A sword glittered in the starlight and the glow of the pale moon. A swirl like dragon scales had been etched into the double-edged blade, an accent to obviously fine craftsmanship. The hilt was leather-bound, the design punctuated by diamond cutouts and a curved hand guard with more dragon scale etching. I couldn’t make out the colors in the dark, but the fluctuations of light and dark suggested there were many of them. It was beautiful. I bet he’d chosen the best one he could find. Actually, even the worst would likely be a work of art. Phyl had a ways to go before he could put together something like this.

I grabbed the note and unfolded the parchment, my heart speeding up for many reasons, only some of them concerning Jedrek and demons.

Dear Finley,

I had Hadriel ask around about the demons. I’m just back from checking in, and no one has heard anything. It seems the castle demons, which are their king’s proxies within our kingdom, are not part of these schemes. At least, they are not advertising it. Hopefully Jedrek is blowing smoke and silencing him forever (which I’ll gladly do) will be an end to it.

However, in the event that Jedrek has piqued the interest of your village demons, which are among the weakest in the kingdom, you will need to be on your guard. They enjoy drama and feed off the emotion of it. Don’t give them what they crave. Give them pale emotion if you must, but feigning uninterest is best. They should lose interest.

In the event Jedrek is trying to make some sort of deal (that they like the sound of), things will get a little dicier. They will need to request permission from the castle demons. Given the village in question, if the deal isn’t interesting enough, the castle demons will likely grant the request without further inquiry. If the deal is interesting, or if the castle demons are bored or curious, they will command an audience with either you or Jedrek or both, depending on the nature of the trade.

Obviously you cannot, under any circumstances, be brought in. Your face is known here, your absence has been noted, and their games with me have intensified. If they gain access to you without my protection…

His pen ripped a hole in the parchment. Clearly the thought sent rage through his blood. Rage would’ve been nicer than the unease, disgust, and fear I was working with.

If they try to take you in, kill them all. It is within your power. Then run straight to the birch. Set it off three times consecutively, and I will come for you. Hide so that you aren’t seen, and wait for me.

The sword you have seen. The rest of the weapons are hidden on the other side of the bush. Take them and go home right now. Stay on your guard. If you get bored, write more sexy notes to me. Or even if you aren’t bored and have to squeeze it in with all your chores. Actually, even if you have to lose sleep, write me more notes about how we would accomplish those scenes with me under you, or over you, or inside of you. I’ve never been so turned on in all my life.