Page 73 of The Fury She Holds
“Are you okay over there, your lordship?” Tal pushed open the heavy wooden door and eased into the dark hall.
“Barely. Let’s get out of here before anyone catches us.”
Pepper’s saddle became a constant remind of the scenes replaying in Tal's head the whole ride back. She had to threaten to cut the smirk off Faron’s face. They had escaped the grounds without issue as most of the servants and all the guests were otherwise indisposed.
“Would you like to share my saddle? I can assure you it’s quite comfortable.” The amusement in his voice infuriated her.
“One more suggestive remark and I swear, I’ll slip one of those damned tarts into your pastries when you aren’t looking.”
“Do that, and you’ll surely regret it, I promise you.” Something in his voice had Tal thinking of the scene at the dovecote, and she had to shift in the saddle again. “Unless you’d like to eat one as well.”
“I don’t need to eat a pastry to enjoy a man, or a woman for that matter.”
Faron lost his laughter to a coughing fit. In a raspy voice, he said, “Hells, woman. Don’t speak like that.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve become prudish,” she scoffed.
“Just the opposite. You test my wavering self-control.”
Tal shifted in the saddle again. This time Faron didn’t remark on the movement. The moonlight silhouetted him, and Tal knew if she could see the gleam in his eyes, she would throw caution to the wind and kiss him in the middle of the forest. Hells, ever since they left the mansion behind, her body had urged her to even more.
Out of sheer frustration, she sent Pepper into a full gallop to get out of that forest as fast as she could.I need to focus, she told herself. She couldn’t let Faron distract her. What should havebeen a night of answers turned into a dead-end. They were still no closer to finding the mage, and she felt like a sitting duck.
Annoyance flared within her. Families were fleeing to the mountains. Children were starving. Hells, they were living insewers. All while the nobility ate, drank, and fucked without a care in the world.What can I do?Tal asked herself, hoping to find the answers among the trees. When none came, she was left with an itch in her chest and a fire burning through her. She grabbed at the itch, firming her resolve. Her fury purred at the attention. It lapped against its cage, urging Tal to set it free.
She pursed her lips, ready for tomorrow to come. She didn’t find the mage. But she could prepare for the day when she would.
20
“Oh sure, I’ve been to the Communal afewtimes.” Waylon leaned back and rested his feet on the tavern table three days later. “Why didn’t you ask?”
Faron shook his head at his friend. “You’ve been locked away all week. And how would I have known to ask you?”
Waylon groaned. “My dear father will not give up on my hopeless education. But Mordency has been hosting for ages. You’ve heard about them.” He gestured back to his friend.
Faron’s brows reached his hairline, bewilderment filling his features. “I have not.”
“Of course you have! I’ve been trying to get you to join me since last summer. Don’t you remember?”
“You mean the ‘fun time’ you’ve been suggesting?Thatwas your idea?”
“Of course!” Waylon slapped the table.
“Forgive me if I prefer other forms of entertainment.”
Tal watched the two men argue and couldn’t help feeling deep satisfaction that Faron had not wished to join Waylon to such an event. Was that jealousy flaring inside her?
“It’s great! The wives don’t know about it, and his servants love to participate.”
Tal didn’t hide the skepticism from her face.
“What? Don’t look at me like that. They get to choose their partner. We simply sit and wait.”
“And the… utter lack of control is enjoyable?” Tal had no issue with the man’s choice of partner orpartners. It was the feral nature with which they had attacked each other she couldn’t stop seeing. They’d all been consumed by it. She barely released her hold on her power. She’d never allowed herself to be so… free.
Waylon licked his lips just as Faron’s leg brushed against her own. “And you’re friends with him?” she asked Faron over Waylon’s laughter.
“Waylon has always been, shall we say, carefree.” He took a sip of ale and choked at the gesture Waylon made.
