Page 13 of Fallen Court

Fear bolted through me. “I’m not a toy.”

Her mouth pressed into a thin line. “And yet, he wants to play with you. But you know that. It’s why you agreed to his bargain.”

“I made that bargain to protect my friends. Something I’m sure you could never understand.”

She lowered her voice, moving closer. “And who will protect you, princess?” I flinched at the sound of Lach’s pet name on her lips, and her mouth carved into a sneer. “I learned a thing or two at school—like how to play these games of his. Trust me, you’ll never win against him.”

I couldn’t imagine what land-before-time education she’d had, but maybe toying with people like pawns was normal back then. “I’m not scared of your brother’s games.”

“You shouldn’t be. But you should be afraid of what happens when he’s done playing with you,” she murmured. She stepped to the side so I could pass. “Good luck.”

“Making friends?” Oberon interrupted, striding into view. I took a careful step toward my room. The more distance I had from both of them, the better.

“We’re just getting to know each other,” Titania said, softening her voice and lowering her eyes.

So. Full. Of. Shit. I had no idea what Shaw had seen in her. But I stayed silent, remembering what she had said. Titania was a snake, but she was right about Oberon. My only chance lay in convincing him to let down his guard.

“Good. I want Cate to feel welcome here.” Each word was delivered like a threat.

Titania tilted her head in acknowledgment. Oberon followed me into my room and held out his hand. “I’m ready for the ring.”

My hand clenched instinctively, and I winced.

“What is it?” He grabbed my hand, prying open my fingers. He frowned at the sticky blood before raising my palm to his lips.

I watched in silent horror as he licked the blood from the wound. The wet heat of his tongue sent bile shooting into my throat, and I barely kept myself from vomiting.

“That’s better,” he said.

I stared as the wound closed, skin knitting together into a pinkish line.

What fresh hell was this?

Oberon lowered my hand but didn’t release it. Instead, his fingers moved to my ring.

No.

Lach had told me to keep it on, but I didn’t have a choice. The bargain had been struck, and if I went back on it now…

Oberon clasped it and frowned.

“It’s a little tight,” I muttered, drawing my hand away. I tried to twist it from my finger, and a pulse of electricity shot up my arm. “Ow!”

“The ring,” Oberon pressed.

I sucked in a deep breath and tried again. Another shock sent my stomach clenching, and I doubled over. “I c-c-can’t.”

Titania swept toward me. “Let me try.”

I held out my shaking arm, bracing myself as she tried to slip the ring off, but the second she touched it, she screamed and jerked away. Turning wide eyes to her brother, she shook her head. “She’s not lying.”

He glowered at us and reached for it himself. I whimpered before he made contact, but he barely touched it before he pulled back. “What have you done?”

“It’s just a ring. It belonged to my mother.” My arms wrapped around my trembling body. It was the truth, but I couldn’t deny what I’d felt in my bones. It hadn’t simply been a shock. My whole body had cried out to protect the ring at any cost. I didn’t know what that meant. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to.

He brushed a finger over the gold filigree. Slivers of electricity sent my fingers seizing into a fist.

“This isn’t fae magic.” He studied me, inclining his face until it was a fraction of an inch from mine. “If you know what it is, you should tell me. Or perhaps I can ask your brother, Channing, about this ring.”