The Archer (The Blood Realm Series Book 3)(142)
“An impressive level of precision,” Kirill observed.
“Makes you wonder how long he fantasized about it before it happened.” Robin shifted uneasily. “It could have been worse. Much worse. I almost lost Marian.”
Adonis sat forward, eagerly pouncing upon the opening he needed to get this evening back on point. “And that’s what makes this invitation so perfect. You and Marian can stay here, away from Herne, away from the sheriff. You can have a new life.”
Robin held Adonis’ gaze for the span of several heartbeats. There was something in his eyes, something like fear but not quite. Then he took a deep breath and turned to face the rest of the room. “Does the invitation still stand?”
“Robin, don’t be rude,” Dubheasa said sharply. “They can’t possibly answer that question yet. We’re still waiting on the women.”
Adonis’ stomach sank and he clutched his whiskey a little tighter. All around the room, the men had tensed, the mention of their wives snaring their complete and undivided attention. “I’m sorry? Your Majesty, if you’re referring to our wives, they aren’t coming. They’re—”
Dubheasa pointed at him, cutting him off. “Then it is true.” Her nose curled in disgust, and a shiver of power washed over the room as the shadows of her dress stirred on an invisible wind. “Typical. This is what happens when you allow men to have power. Without those women, your little realm would not exist, and yet when you gather to discuss who should and shouldn’t be here, when you meet your new arrivals together for the first time, your wives are nowhere to be seen.” She shook her head, her eyes hardening. “It won’t stand.”
“It is not up to you to decide what will and will not stand.” Etienne’s voice was tight with controlled anger, though his eyes remained human brown. He closed the distance between himself and the Unseelie queen, stood just far enough back that he didn’t have to tilt his head up to look at her over six foot frame from his own five foot ten. “You weren’t even invited here to begin with.”
The remaining whiskey in Adonis’ glass sloshed against the sides as he tensed, as if the alcohol itself were throwing up its hands in despair. “Now, now, Etienne, let’s not be rude.”
“It is not my rudeness that is at hand here. I have a right to be here.” He pointed at Dubheasa with the confidence of a man who had no idea just how badly things were about to go. “She doesn—”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence. Dubheasa’s form grew still even as the shadows around her writhed like Medusa’s hair after a cold rain. Magic crackled in the air, and Etienne’s eyes widened. His hands flew up to claw at his throat, drawing angry red lines down the tanned flesh of his neck. His face flushed a deep shade of crimson and he opened his mouth, choking as he tried to draw in air.
“Foster mother, please,” Robin said tensely. He rose to stand beside her but made no move to physically intercede. “We are guests here.”
Dubheasa tilted her head, her beady eyes still focused on the suffocating werewolf. “Am I a guest? I didn’t realize.” Her gaze flicked to Kirill. “Is it true, vampire? Do you offer me the rights of a guest?”#p#分页标题#e#
Kirill’s hands were inside his cloak, probably wrapped around some iron weapon or another. He watched the Unseelie queen with the intensity of a lion staring at the surface of a watering hole, searching for reptilian eyes that might warn of an impending strike. He ignored Etienne completely, didn’t rush to answer despite the alarming way the werewolf’s eyes were bulging from his skull, his lips turning white. Finally, he bowed, just a little, not taking his eyes off her. “We would be most honored to have you as our guest for this evening.”
Etienne dropped to his knees, a ragged breath rasping from his chest as he tried to draw air into his tortured lungs. Adonis winced, his own throat aching in sympathy.
Dubheasa fanned herself with one hand. “Oh, you must excuse my rudeness. Naturally I would never have dreamed of addressing your poor manners in such a way if I’d known you were a proper host. You can see where the confusion came from, what with you being such a poor host. Nevermind though, I’m sure the women will do much better. For now, you must let me summon my healer to see to your throat.”
Etienne raised his head, and as Adonis had feared, his face was contorting, his wolf rising beneath his skin. His lip curled back into a snarl, flashing teeth too sharp to be human. “Unnecessary. But do feel free to call your healer anyway. She may be needed.”