Page 56 of Stolen Threadwitch Bride
The air whooshed out of me.
I knew that voice—would know it anywhere. My throat ached.
Ly stepped out from behind Goren. “How…interestingto see you out here.” The coldness. I’d never heardthatin him before.
Goren didn’t move, although his hand had paused an inch from my hip. “I was just getting acquainted with this little delight.”
An icy smile creaked onto Ly’s face. His dimple didn’t appear. “By the terms of the Tithe, that ‘little delight’ ismyhuman.”
My human. I stiffened. He told me he didn’t… No, wait.By the terms of the Tithe. That wasn’t a lie. The Tithe said I was his, even if he didn’t agree with it. And the tone of his voice... He was playing a part: the lord who could tell Goren to leave me alone, rather than Ly, the man I’d come to know over the past couple of months.
Creases forming between his brows, Goren straightened and backed away two steps. “My deepest apologies, I didn’t realise.” His sky blue eyes left me at last as he raised his eyebrows at Ly. “There has been no wedding, so I thought perhaps you were content to merelyplaywith her and would like to share your toys.”
Ly’s cheek twitched. “Not tonight.”
Which could also mean not ever.
Deceit without lies.
“Hmm.” Goren flicked me another glance before backing off. “I see you’re still breaking her in. As flighty as a fawn, this one. But”—he licked his lips and smirked at Ly in a way that made me shudder—“her fear is quite delicious. Do let me know when you’ve tamed her and want to share.” With that, he slipped into the darkness and a moment later, his silhouette appeared against the glazed doors and he went inside.
I sagged against the fountain, clutching my chest, heart throbbing against my fingers.
“Ari, I amsosorry. Did he—?”
“Didn’t touch me.” I shook my head, catching my breath.
He offered his arm. I clung to it and led him away from the house, my nervous energy demanding movement.
“I’m sorry I called you ‘my human.’” His hand closed over the back of mine. “I had to use terms he’d understand.” Jaw clenched, he shook his head. “If he tried to take you away, law and tradition would be on my side, and it would be seen as a terrible affront to the Queen. It was the only thing I could think of to get him to leave you alone.” He shot me a look, all tight and pinched. “I don’t think of you as—”
“I know.” I huffed a laugh, the cool night air a balm against the anger, the shame, the fear. “I knew exactly what you were doing.”
By the time we reached the balustrade at the edge of the terrace, I could stop.
The dying yew was hidden in the darkness. That was a small mercy. The sight of it would only have rekindled my rage, knowing Goren was responsible.
Wild Hunt, I would sew Ly the best damn outfit I’d ever made and help him steal back that seed.
Taking another cleansing breath, muscles eased by that vow and perhaps by Ly’s presence, I leant on the balustrade.
In the quiet, I couldn’t miss Ly’s gasp. He was finally getting a view of the back of my gown—ofmyback.
Long seconds passed.
“Why, Ariadne,” he said at last, voice low, lilting, “you appear to have forgotten half your dress.”
I chuckled, straightening. “I didn’t have the fae down as being prudes about modest clothing.” I turned to tease him some more, but the breath caught in my throat.
Because he was only inches away.
Evening Star
My grin faded and fresh warmth broke over me. Not anger or shame this time, far from either.
It took three breaths before I could lift my gaze to his.
Even in this dim light, it bored into mine. The shadows carved his face into dark planes, the darkest beneath his jaw, his eyebrows, his cheekbones, in the dimple of his chin.
