Page 47 of The Serpent Prince

“See? Feeding together is dangerous,” Kiran said, barely above a whisper. He let out a deep breath. “But I can’t think of any other way at this point. I didn’t anticipate this feeding issue as a possibility, and I can’t afford any more similar mistakes.”

The nymph sighed. “If these acts are the only two you complete, and you show a modicum of self-control, then any additional bonding should still be blocked.”

“Esa was a better choice. We should have found a way to force her hand,” Kiran muttered then sighed. “You have no idea what it’s like … how impossible my instincts are around her. The pull is … it’s strong. I can’t fight it sometimes.”

“Once you’re mated and we’ve perfected the memory spell, Imani won’t be a problem anymore,” Zadie said quietly.

“I know,” Kiran agreed.

There was a lull in the conversation, and Imani wondered if they’d ended it.

Zadie’s voice cut through the silence.

“Esa knows.” She sounded like ice.

“She doesn’t. She suspects, but she doesn’t know.”

“It’s because she suspects that she was able to force your hand. You have a secret too big for her to find out. Too many secrets.” A pause. “You need to be careful around her. We both know she’s got her own agenda.”

“I’m well aware of our little pixie’s plans,” Kiran said.

“Speaking of other agendas, have you heard from your father?”

“Yes, two days ago, about my brother. He suspects Respen is gathering more than just elves and is with the sirens now near the coast. We’ll go there next after the Drow.”

“Excellent.”

Kiran sighed. “He asked about Imani again, as well. Asked about her magic and how the training is going, demanded she formally join the court when we return. He has plans for her.”

“He’s not letting this go like we wanted, Kiran,” Zadie stated. “If she joins the court, you know what that means. Unlike Ayla, Imani is a high-bred Norn and does have interesting magic, quite a bit of it actually … I think he plans to keep her for himself.”

“You don’t think I’m aware of that?” Kiran ground out through his teeth. “I worry about it every day. It would … would be disastrous for many reasons. I made a mistake not glamouring her entirely with flesh magic. The echo shield didn’t work like I expected with Magnus and the damn throne. They’re both too powerful.”

If Imani could move her body without pain, her mouth would have gaped at the sound of Kiran admitting a mistake. But what could be so horrendous about her joining the court? She’d been a part of Essenheim’s court. In fact, it was quite standard for many master witches.

But there were many things she didn’t understand about the Niflheim Kingdom.

Zadie cleared her throat. “Even more reason to keep our feeding discreet. Ayla can’t know about the memory spell you’re working on, and she won’t take the news you aren’t actually feeding from me well.”

“Agreed. We’ll stick to the middle of the night. Dalliances are one thing, and expected, but I can’t have anyone knowing that I’m doing it with her.”

“I agree. The elf prince can’t be ensnared by two elves. People will talk, it will undermine the cause, and we can’t have that right now.”

“I’m not ensnared,” he growled.

“It only matters what things look like, not what’s true.”

Their conversation lapsed into politics and the uprisings around the kingdom fueled by Kiran’s traitorous brother Respen.

Imani tugged the furs over her head, dreading the next night and trying to understand what she’d just heard.

CHAPTER 17

When Rosalynn entered her tent to help her bathe later in the evening, she brought her a simple gown. Too simple, in Imani’s opinion.

The gown clung to Imani’s curves; it was more of an undergarment than a dress.

“Is there more?” Imani asked, looking around for any other clothes.