Page 230 of A Touch of Poison
I fixed a smile on my face even though I wanted to vomit.
The corridor was empty, but if I unleashed my poison, it would linger in this closed space and kill anyone who came wandering along—innocents included.
If I let him get too close, he would draw his weapon and run me through before I managed to touch him.
Two shitty choices, and a fae who only stood eight feet away.
“You know,” I purred, tilting my head back to bare my throat, even though every part of me screamed against that vulnerability, “I came out here hoping to find a strong man like you.” Shoving down my instincts, I sauntered towards him.
He blinked, stride faltering, gaze skipping to my lower lip caught between my teeth.
“Maybe you can help me with something else before you take me back to the party.” I gave a slow smile, despite my pulse throbbing as I entered the range of his sword.
Keep going. Keep going.
I didn’t need him to believe me, I just needed him distracted for long enough.
Shifting my focus, I felt the vibration of magic around me.
Not yet. I didn’t want him to spot the telltale purple spreading over my skin.
Soon.
Fingertips trailing over my collarbone, I pushed my hair back and let him see that my hands were empty.
Nothing more than a harmless human. Not even a fae mark to say she had magic.
There was a creak of leather from near the hilt of his sword—his gauntlets perhaps as his grip shifted to the dagger. Much better for close work.
I didn’t dare lower my gaze to check.
His eyes narrowed as I took another step, but they flicked down to my tits as I arched my back so hard it felt like it was about to break.
They said fae enjoyed human women’s curves. Well, I was staking my life on it.
His eyebrows squeezed together in something that looked like regret. “I don’t think we have time for—”
“But I’m sure we do.” Closing in, I placed a hand on his chest and let him stare at that as I called magic to my other hand and rose on tiptoes.
“I’m sorry, darling.” He shook his head, and the unmistakable sound of a blade being drawn dried out my mouth.
I cupped his cheek, palm stained purple. “Me too.”
His eyes bulged as he must’ve felt the first sting. Breath held, I concentrated the poison as much as I could, drawing power from all around me. I didn’t want him to suffer, but I needed him dead.
Him or me? I chose me.
He flinched, breaking contact.
Too late.
Darkness outlined the shape of my hand on his cheek, already spreading. He went rigid, a strangled sound coming from his mouth, spittle flecking his lips.
His dagger clanged on the marble floor a moment before he slumped.
Only then did I let myself breathe—great gasps that shook through me as I checked up and down the corridor. Still empty.
Was this Hydra Ascendant? Sura had mentioned she wasn’t readyyet. And the wedding brought together all of Dawn’s royal family in one place at once time, while the Night Queen slumbered. Sending people after the king and princes would allow her to go and kill her mother while she was in Sleep, leaving just her for this “united” throne.
