Page 57 of Dancing With Demons
Thinking of the Hooded One ashappyis almost stranger than seeing a sky with no clouds. No, definitely stranger. What is going on here?
“Most suspicious.”
Eth’tak stretches his wings. “Would you prefer he burned us to death with summoned lightning? I rather thought that was where this was all going, if we’re being honest.”
“No, but even you must admit this turn of events has been most strange. The Hooded One does not tolerate defiance easily. We’ve stolen a bride from his son, and he’s done nothing.”
“Yes, it’s refreshing. I’m quite intending to enjoy being alive. Enjoy your constant brooding.”
“He’s planning something.” I’m sure of it. If only I can figure out what.
“Plots and intrigue and lies,” Piper scoffs. “With you two involved? Who would have thought it possible?”
Ah, yes.
Piper is still pissed. My speech might have warmed her for a moment, but her eyes are hard on mine. Unyielding. Her teeth grind together so tightly I worry they might break, and her hands are clenched into fists at her side.
I raise my hands, palms out, in supplication. “I understand that you’re upset.”
“You think I’m justupset? All of this, and you think I’m, what? Peeved? Grouchy? A little uptight? Seriously?” Her eyes flash. “You understandnothing.”
I exchange a look with Eth’tak. Our lives have been spared, and Piper is not the property of the Prince. We should be ecstatic.
Instead, he looks as worried as I feel. He reaches out to her, but she takes a step back.
A happy ending together is only possible if Piper agrees, and at this moment she looks anything but happy. My heart twists. It would be awful enough if she were only angry, but she lookshurt.
We’ve lied to her. Betrayed her in the most painful way.
Can she forgive us?
27
Piper
It’s a struggle to remain collected after everything that’s come to light. Tolmond and Eth’tak are hot on my heels as I storm into the tower, taking the steps two at a time. I’m not sure what my next move is, but I want to gather the few things that I have and go anywhere else but here. Hell, I’ll take the sinking ship over this shit.
“Piper, wait,” Tolmond pleads. “Hear me out.”
He deserves the opportunity to explain himself. I know he does, but there is a rage burning inside of me that is difficult to quench. I don’t know what will happen to us if I can’t contain it. “Leave me alone!”
I reach the door to my room, hesitating before throwing it open. There’s a substantial part of me that wants to raze this tower to the ground, and all of Ti’lith with it. But I can’t do it. I can’t shut them out.
In front of his King, Tolmond confessed his love for me. And so did Eth’tak. They risked their very lives to save me from my fate, and even challenged that cad of a Prince. Doesn’t that count for something?
I can feel them come to a sudden stop behind me, as if I’m as tempestuous as I feel.
They don’t dare breathe a word.
I grip the handle so hard my knuckles turn white. And when I finally find my voice, it’s barely a whisper. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t-” Tolmond begins, struggling for the words in a rare display of uncertainty. “It wasn’t-”
“He wanted to protect you,” Eth’tak finishes, daring to take a step forward. “Like we all did. Piper, you don’t understand. We can’t just defy our King.”
“But you did,” I say, turning on my heel to face them.
Both have a decidedly guilty expression, though Tolmond can’t raise his gaze from the floor. It’s so unlike him that I almost laugh out loud. It throws water on my fiery spirit, and I realize what it must have taken for them to risk everything.