The doors opened to admit Riordan at the top of the dais and time in the room froze. In a dark shirt and dark pants tailored to show off his strong muscular physique, he was breaking everyone’s expectations of him wearing the customary mourning white clothes. He was the only person not wearing a mask, and also the only one without a date so one could say he was mourning in his own way.
She watched him alight the stairs and nothing could have prepared her for the irresistible pull that drew her to him. She craved his touch on her skin, his scent in her lungs. It wasn’t hard to remember why she hated him but it was like he had seized control of her body from half a room away, pressing obscene urges into her mind despite her repulsion of him. She shook her head and fought against the pull so hard her body shook.
“A drink, my lady?” A serving girl asked and offered her a tray.
“Thank you.” She took one gratefully and sipped. It was a disappointment to realise she wasn’t prepared for this moment, no matter how much she’d convinced herself she was.
“Found you.” She heard and her lungs forgot to draw breath.
She spun around to find Riordan staring at her and she staggered back a step with a gasp. She saw his face, looking exactly as it did now as he stepped into a pool of her mother’s blood. Anger flashed under her skin but she converted it into a tight smile.
“So you did.” She replied. He’d had no problem finding her at all, even with her dark mask.
“Dance with me.” He said, offering her a hand and her brows cocked. Did he think she would hesitate state to strike with the spotlight on her? The music was just starting and she obliged. Keep your enemies close...
The first touch of her fingers on his had her gut tightening with desire. He pulled her onto the dance floor and behind them, Prince Hans was far from pleased at this sight but she never even noticed.
“If we’re going to keep running into each other then I should know your name don’t you think?” He asked her and she smirked.
“You won’t live long enough to make any use of that.” She replied and he huffed an unamused laugh.
“One of us will die for sure.” He said. “I should know what name to put to your tomb.”
Her brows rose. He would kill her for what she did to his bride then? Did his bride mean that much to him?
“Lady Rosette of Grenwich.” She replied. “But you won’t be needing that. I shall promise you no grave and no tomb. Your body will be left on the highest mountain for the vultures to feed from for days.” She vowed.
His head cocked and his fingers flexed on her waist again. He spun her around and when she rolled back in, they were standing way closer than they were before. His fingers splayed on her back, the tips so close to the curve of her ass.
“Of everyone to find my mate in, why you?” He asked, his voice boiling with hatred.
“Are you put off with having a mercenary for a mate? You are the leader of a rebel group, Riordan. There are prices on your head so you should rethink your moral high-ground.” She said acidly and covered it up with a sweet smile for their audience.
His eyes narrowed dangerously. “I’m fighting to overthrow the rot that has overtaken the roots of this kingdom. How dare you compare me to you who kills for money?”
She laughed. “What a delight, finding you a hypocrite. You are a murderer Riordan Savvey, and I swear I will not rest until I have plunged my dagger into your black heart!”
His grip on her waist was getting tight and she gasped as she drew against his body and her nipples pebbled, a warm rush setting her loins aflame. Her body betrayed her, again and again.
“Ilyria is at war Princess, a war bigger than than your cloak of night and a flash of your dagger. While you count your coins of blood, there are some of us out here fighting for the kingdom to be free from the tyranny of King Callahan.“ He hissed in her ear.
Of course he had no way of knowing that she witnessed his darkest deed with her own two eyes, this misplaced knight.
“I know what you are.” She whispered back. “You may hide behind your cloak of freedom-fighting but you cannot hide the truth forever. The world will be a better place when you’re no longer walking on it.”
He suddenly pressed her into the wall and she gasped, wondering how they got separated from the rest of the dancers. Her heart pounded and magic tingled at her fingertips in defence, this was her chance to end him.
“And how do you intend to do that?” He asked her, crowding her space. Little shocks of delight raced over her skin as his breath bathed her face. He touched her waist again, almost like he couldn’t keep his hands off her and when his expression became angrier, she knew he hated this connection of theirs as much as she did.
“There are five hallowed weapons and I know the location of every one of them. You don’t have one so how do you intend to kill an immortal with it?” He whispered in her ear. She shivered violently and her back arched, her hand moving on its own accord to rest on his chest. To push him off..?
He pressed even closer, his gaze daring her.
“How did you kill Mira with nothing but a disappearing arrow?” He asked her. “What are you really?”
His gaze slid to her lips and to her dismay, she wanted him to close the distance. Her hands fisted on his shirt to pull him closer and she felt possessed with desire. It was the worst form of torture. Why couldn’t she hate him like she needed to? He murdered her mother and then her father in cold blood!
She finally summoned enough strength to push him off.
“So your information has holes, why should I bother to fill them?” She asked.
“What’s going on here?” Prince Hans finally found them, his face set in a frown.
“My Prince! I don’t feel so well, the gentleman was making sure I can walk.” She sighed dramatically, moving to his side.
Riordan’s gaze burned as he looked between them and she ignored him and slipped her arm through the prince’s. Prince Hans’ expression dissolved into worry and he looked her over frantically.
“What’s wrong? Does it hurt anywhere?” He asked her worriedly.
“Nothing like that my prince. I just need to rest, I shall retire early from the ball I think.” She said, praying his chauvinism did not put her mission in greater jeopardy.
“I shall escort you back then.” He said and she nearly rolled her eyes at his predictability.
“No, I would hate to cut your evening short.” She said, placing a hand on his arm. His cheeks reddened and he flustered predictably.
“No, no, I don’t mind at all.” He began but she cut him off.
“I do.” She said, affecting a regretful air. “The carriage is outside isn’t it? I’m sure Cedric can deliver me home just fine. The crowd is getting to me, perhaps next time you could show me those lands of yours, just you and I.” Her voice was loaded with insinuation and he was practically vibrating with anticipation.
It was amusing really. No matter how much he chased, he knew it couldn’t end in a marriage. He was a cousin to the king, he would have a strong tactical match in the future so in truth what he wanted was to sleep with her.
“I’ll escort you out at least.” He offered and took her arm. She didn’t spare her mate one more glance as she made her way out but his gaze burned into her back the entire way.
“Thank you for inviting me this evening.” She said as he kissed her knuckles.
“It was my pleasure. I’ll see you then.” No he wouldn’t but she waved at him with a big grin as the carriage pulled away. She waited until the noise of the ball could no longer reach her ears before she slid out of the carriage and pulled up on top. Cedrick was singing a merry song as he rode the carriage away and she flipped back and landed on the tarred road silently, watching the carriage pull away. She had unfinished business back there.
She ran all the way back and the closer she got to the ball again, the harder her resolution was to end it tonight. She slipped back into the shadows, locating him instantly. He was talking and laughing with a human woman that was totally bedazzled with him. He should enjoy flirting, she thought, it would be the last thing he did before she plunged her dagger into his black heart.
Magic thrummed in her veins and a dagger manifested in her fist, smoking and filled with shadows. She trailed him around the hall until he finally excused himself and headed to a far-end door. She wasn’t going to let this opportunity go. She went after him, slipping through the door silently and closing the distance between them as he headed for the balcony.
Like a snake she struck from his back, aiming for his heart but he suddenly dropped and rolled away. Damn him and his fast reflexes!
”I knew you’d be back.” He said, giving her a cold smile.
“I made a death promise to you.” She said with a vicious grin. “I intend to keep it.”
She raised her dark dagger again and lunged but her head suddenly spun and she staggered. She shook her head, seeing two of him. Something was wrong, she had to finish this fast! She lunged again, feigning right and coming up on the other side. He danced back from the tip of her dagger and then suddenly yanked her close, spinning her around and arresting her arms in a painful position.
“You bastard! What have you done?” She hissed. Her head spun like a top.
“You got everything wrong, mate.” He murmured in her ears. “You are mine and I will make you beg for mercy.”
Her vision grew cloudy and she swayed. she couldn’t believe it. She didn’t have a single bite to eat all evening except... the damn drink! The bastard had it all planned out from the start!
“Goodnight Princess.” He whispered and his hands landed on either side of her face as he snapped her neck. Everything went black.
Freya jerked back into consciousness and immediately knew that something was wrong. Shackles chafed against her skin, holding her wrists and ankles bound securely and the bitter taste of failure settled on her tongue. Riordan sat in front of his desk, carefully turning a sheaf of papers. “You’re up.” He said and stood.“You should have killed me when you had the chance!” She hissed. “Why go to all the trouble?”He folded his arms in front of him and glared right back. “Do you remember Winson Savvey?” He asked her and her brow furrowed. “Should I?” She asked and she could tell her answer infuriated him by the muscle that ticked on his forehead. “Does the name not ring a bell?” He pressed. She suddenly remembered that his own surname was Savvey. “What business do I have to do with a relative of yours?” She asked. He suddenly grabbed her by the throat and slammed her into the wall and she choked. “Do you not even have the decency to remember your murder victims?” He growled, his
The next time Riordan came in, Freya was ready. She dove from her perch above the door and tackled him to the ground, her claws scouring his chest in deep bloody lines. His beating heart was just beneath her, all she needed was her dagger thrust into the offending organ and her target would be eliminated. She called to the darkness and her eyes widened when the magic refused to unfurl into a weapon as usual. Her momentary shock cost her. He gripped her hands and flipped her over his head. She landed hard on her back and twisted to get away but he grabbed her ankle and dragged her closer, his huge body pinning her to the ground. Her claws sharpened and she raised them to rip out his throat but he caught her wrist and pinned them both above her head. She bucked and tried to throw him off or rip her wrists from his grip but even though he secured her with only one hand, it was impossible to get away. She cursed colourfully, damn werewolves and their inhuman strength! His fist suddenly
She landed hard, the breath knocked out of her. The missile hit the opposite wall with so much force that it should have brought the roof crashing down but the house merely shook, absorbing the impact. “Stay down.” Riordan growled and went to the window, peering out. He cursed colourfully and she leaped up. “Who are those?” She asked, angry at her hope being dashed. “What do they want?”He looked calm again when he turned to her. “Go to the inner room now! If you want to survive the next hour, you had better stay in there and out of sight.” He ordered and she balked at being ordered around by him. Without waiting for her response he prowled outside to meet his guests. Go inside her foot. She pulled up at the window again, peering out discreetly. She watched him stop in front of the army, his arms loosely at his side. “Derrick!” He called. “I didn’t expect to have you.” “I have no time for pleasantries Riordan. Where is the bride I gave to you?” The man called Derrick snarled.
Riordan’s face held a scowl and her heart pounded with something akin to fear. The ball in her hand burned, feeling like a dirty secret. “Step away from the chest.” He growled and she threw her shoulders back and glared defiantly.“Why? Is there something I shouldn’t find?” She asked and his nostrils flared with annoyance. “For once! Do as you are told!” He snarled. Somebody really didn’t want her to find the ball. Her hand closed around the item in question and she felt her eyes widen when she closed her hand on nothing at all. She stared at her hand in shock to confirm that the ball was gone and before she knew it she was tackled into the floor. “Do you want to die?!” Riordan growled above her and she laughed. “Mate, is that not the whole point of this dance? You either kill me or I kill you.” She snarled. Remembering her father’s scream and her mother’s blood, she swore it would be her that ended him, even if she perished in the process. She threw him off her and paced. “Who
“Watch out!” Riordan’s warning came a little too late. Freya landed hard on her bound hands and she hissed with pain as her shoulder shifted to the front. Riordan leapt from his horse and ran for her just as another missile whistled through the air again. She flinched and he caught the arrow that nearly punched into her eye in midair. With an enraged growl, he shoved her behind him. “Show yourself!” He snarled and the leaves ruffled. The twins stepped out and she gasped, hurrying to her feet. One of her worst nightmares was playing out in front of her. “Shadow.” Hans said with a dirty smile. “There are rumours spreading in town about you, you know. They say you are dead.” “Seeing the state of her, that would have been a better end wouldn’t it?” Dirien sneered and she stiffened. Damn Riordan and these stupid chains. She wouldn’t mind a hole opening up in the ground so she could crawl into it. “Chains or no, I won’t find it difficult to whoop both of your asses.” She bluffed. They
Riordan grabbed her shoulder and punched the socket back into place. Freya screamed with pain and staggered back with a hiss.“Your shoulder was out of place.” Riordan said, cool as a cucumber and strode past her. Freya glared at his back, livid. What was this?! She was so embarrassed she could die. The mate bond was messing with her head, how could she forget he was the enemy?He hit a high whistle and a few moments later, his horse came cantering back. “Good boy.” He ran his fingers through the horse’s mane and she pointedly looked away from those fingers. She hated those fingers, she would be sure to break them before she killed him. He climbed atop his horse and glanced back at her, extending a hand. “Come here. Your horse got away.” Said Riordan. “You jest.” She deadpanned. “You can’t possibly be proposing I share a horse with you.”“I am.” He replied. She saw it then, him behind her with his arms around her. She would breathe him in with every breath, feel him against her b
Freya’s scream was stolen by the darkness as the grip on her ankle dragged her into the cave. She tried to fight back, to resist this dreadful crawl but she was being hauled in too fast. She screamed again and her head hit the cave wall as she was yanked through a corner. She couldn’t see anymore, couldn’t lift a finger to fight back because her hands were still freaking tied at her back. She screamed in frustration and was suddenly hauled up the steep wall, hanging from her ankle. Her eyes adjusted and she felt her heart stutter as she came face to face with a creature from nightmares. Looking slightly feminine, the cave dweller was so pale she was translucent, her face alone the size of a dinner tray with green stringy hair trailing over her shoulder. Humanoid arms ended in what looked like long kelp and the creature fixed her with a rheumy gaze and yawned open her huge jaws. “What the fuck?!” Freya yelled and squirmed urgently, trying to kick out of the grip. “H-hangry.” The cre
12 years ago“My baby.” Mother’s urgent whisper woke her up from sleep. “Mother?” Her little voice whispered groggily before she was snatched up into her father’s arms. She squealed with joy which was silenced abruptly when her father’s hand slammed over her lips.“Hush Angel.” Father said and ran to the master bedroom.Freya‘s heart was suddenly pounding as he pulled on a latch and the floor opened. He started lowering her into the new hole but she grabbed onto him, holding on tight. “No!” She gasped. “I’m not going in there.” Mother burst into tears behind him and Father’s eyes hardened. “You have to, Pumpkin. Remember the last time we played hide and seek?” He asked her. Tears spilled over her cheeks but she nodded. “Good girl! I want you to get in there and close your eyes. I’ll come find you.” He whispered urgently. “I’m scared “ She whispered. She didn’t want to play hide and seek, she wanted to go back to sleep and wake up tomorrow morning like normal. “Anytime you feel sc