Soulbound (Darkest London 6)

“And you are the fae queen?” Eliza pressed, as if her blood did not run cold.

“Now that,” Mab said with a grin, “is a title I’ve been longing to proclaim. I did not want to reveal all too soon, lest you be too awed by my glory, but, yes, I am the fae queen.”

And not a bit vain, Eliza thought with a mental roll of her eyes.

Mab tilted her head and smiled, coy and just a bit evil. “I shall make a proper fae princess of you yet.”

That was what Eliza feared most. But she said nothing as Mab stopped at the door to the ballroom where two young, handsome footmen in brilliant green satin livery stood at attention. “Now, your first lesson.”

Mab gave a regal lift of her chin, and the footmen swept open the doors, revealing a glittering world of diamonds, silks, and flickering candlelight. The sickly sweet scent of lilies thickened the air, wafting out and curling around Eliza.

“Revenge,” Mab said, “and how to exact it.”

The crowd of richly dressed ladies and gentlemen turned as one. And as one, they all bowed in deference to Mab as she glided through the parted throng. Eliza followed; she had little choice, still snared as she was by Mab’s tight grip.

They were all young, this crowd of people. Young and beautiful. Not a single face marred by lines or time. It ought to be pleasing to the eye, but it struck Eliza as wrong and unnatural. They are all fae. Her supposed people. And she wanted to run as fast as she could from them.

Mab led her to a dais, upon which sat three large, gilded chairs. “Sit.”

Knees shaking, Eliza did as bidden. Eyes watched her, curious, cunning. But she paid them little heed. Her mind was on Adam.

Adam’s world was a little darker when Eliza left. Oh, he’d taunted and teased, wanting her to leave, but now that she was gone, he missed her. Wanted her back.

He thought of their bargain, and anticipation quickened his blood. They would be partners. And she had promised a kiss. That, he would collect. His mind sifted through the possibilities before settling on a less pleasant thought. Prince Mellan. The fae prince’s presence in London was unsettling. He’d been banned from this reality for centuries. Which meant the fae had found a way to move with ease, and in greater numbers, between worlds. Somewhere, a crack had formed. More agitating, Eliza was promised to Mellan. Like hell.

For that alone, Adam would have agreed to anything she demanded. Because he’d be damned if that bastard would have her. But she needed to feel as though she’d fought a fair bargain with him. Adam hadn’t let her be an equal before now. And it was wrong of him. From now on, he’d keep his wits about him and plan ahead.

So he’d follow Eliza’s plan, get her the hell away from Mellan, and find that damn horn to use as a bargaining chip.

Sighing, he eased himself into a more comfortable position, or at least one that relieved at least some of the strain upon his ribs. The cloth Eliza had set over his genitals slid sideways. Dark humor had him fighting a smile. So very considerate, his Eliza May was, to cover him. The smile faded. She’d seen him at his very worst. And the humiliation burned.

Thus, when he heard the scuff of a shoe, he did not know whether to laugh or sob. She’d returned. It had to be her. Mab never visited at night. From the corner of his eye, he caught a flash of long, blond hair.

“Back for more, dove?” he drawled, a smile growing despite himself.

It quickly died a swift death as a shape stepped from the shadows. Pale blond hair that fell in a straight line, eyes like cold death. Mellan. And he did not appear pleased. “I do believe you were expecting someone else, Aodh.”

Adam’s eyes went to the collar in Mellan’s hand. Whatever was in store for him would not be pleasant. Adam forced a grin. “Think of the devil and he shall find ye.”

Chapter Five

The wait was not long for Eliza. The doors of the ballroom opened again. And the blood left her face. She could feel it draining. Feel her skin growing cold.

Mellan strolled in, his hand around a chain that led to a collar. Adam. Proud, cheeky Adam, now leashed like a dog. Utterly nude and covered in grime. Adam did not follow but matched Mellan’s pace, his gait steady and strong, and Eliza realized with a start that he’d been healed.

She glanced at a smug-looking Mellan and realized that the fae bastard had healed Adam for this purpose. To parade him through the crowd of cooing and tittering onlookers. To break Adam once more.

“Ah,” said Mab. “Our entertainment has arrived.”

Eliza wanted to slap the woman.

Chains still encircled Adam’s wrists, and when Mellan stopped him before the dais, two servants came and pulled those chains taut.

Mellan gave Eliza a mocking bow. “My dear Miss May, I do believe you’ve met our pet.”

As it wasn’t a question, Eliza didn’t answer. Adam did not meet her gaze but stared straight ahead.

Mellan frowned, not liking her lack of reaction. “Is this not the demon who had the audacity to enslave you?”

Murmurs went through the crowd. Eliza felt herself flush. What happened between her and Adam was no one’s business. But she could not say that here. “It is.”

“You? Blood kin to both myself and Mab?” Mellan looked around the room in outrage. “He dared to chain my future bride.”

That went over well. Now came the shock that she was supposedly promised to Mellan. Her bloody great-uncle. Eliza ground her teeth together but managed to keep a placid expression.

Mellan held out his hand, and a servant placed a rather large bullwhip in his grasp.