Marie Harte - Gale Season

“So, you would turn me into a blood drinker?” she said, and if he hadn’t known better, he would think he held the queen. “I can fuck for days without end. What more is a bit of bloodletting? It’s only a matter of time before my true heirs succeed me.”

“That’s enough, Alandra,” he said, jerking her to meet him eye to eye.

She shimmered back into herself, her violet gaze filled with disdain. “As if your strength wasn’t already in question, there’s also the fact you’re not nearly as attractive as your brother.”

He gritted his teeth, determined to make this little bitch pay for what she said. Lidra had mentioned how disagreeable Alandra was, and now that he’d witnessed her offensive nature, he had less interest in bedding her for pleasure than to show her who was in control.

Freeing himself from his trousers, he felt his body freeze when she began laughing.

“Please tell me there’s more than that to play with.” She glanced at his turgid length with amusement. “At least the Storm Lord had a cock to make me whimper.” She glanced up at him with smoky eyes.

B’alen had heard enough. He no longer knew why he’d sought out Alandra. All he could think of were ways to make her pay, and dearly.

“The council won’t start for a few hours yet,” he said quietly, his anger palpable. Her lack of reaction completely baffled and frustrated him. “We’ve gotten off on the wrong foot, Alandra. I think it’s time I showed you just what you don’t understand about me. I’m not as nice as you’d think.”

Alandra kept her cool when inside, her heart threatened to burst from her chest. This had to be the most outrageous bluff she’d ever pulled in her life, and though the danger brought it to a new level, she couldn’t help feeling a tad amused at the Dark Lord’s obvious vanity. And they said the Aellei were too proud. Ha.

She glanced subtly at the weapon between his legs, dismayed to find it so hard, and so near her. Sweat trickled down her back, and she prayed she could continue her glamour. That B’alen hadn’t yet realised she was without clothes was something in her favour, at least. But she had no idea how much longer she could maintain a carefree face, not when she could feel his anger leeching into her being like venom.

The power in her grew exponentially, but it was so Dark, so negative. She had to fight to hold onto herself even as she drew the tendrils of strength she would need to fight this bastard and live.

Aerolus would come for her, that she knew. But she needed to do her best to smooth his way. He had no idea all three Dark Lords were in attendance in Aelle, and she clearly recalled how difficult just ‘Sin Garu had been to defeat.

Thinking of B’alen’s brother, she only hoped he hovered nearby and had heard her comment about B’alen trying to have him killed. It wasn’t true, not that she knew of, but then, ‘Sin Garu didn’t know that.

As B’alen shoved her to the ground and bared his fangs, ‘Sin Garu appeared, thank the Shadows. And she never thought she’d thank her maker for a Dark Lord’s help.

“Brother, what are you about, you rascal?” ‘Sin Garu grinned, and Alandra distractedly noticed there was little difference between the Dark Lords. As they stood close, she could see ‘Sin Garu was slightly taller, his skin a touch more white. But they both possessed the same colour eyes, the same facial structure, and the seething, malevolent energy that showed them for the demons they were.

B’alen refastened his breeches and gritted his teeth, ignoring Alandra, as if she didn’t lie just underfoot. “Teaching a sorry melea a few manners.”

“A sorry whore, hmm?” ‘Sin Garu leant down and lifted Alandra gently to her feet. Doing so put that much more negative energy rushing into her. “A royal whore at that. Sorry, Princess, but your aunt requested your presence in the courtyard. A dozen of the Aellein council members have rallied early.”

He turned to B’alen with a questioning look. “Seems there’s a rumour the queen’s gone mad. The Aellei have gathered to hear her out, and to investigate Alandra’s previous claims that Lidra has sold out her people to the Dark Lords.” He laughed. “A ridiculous notion, hmm?”

B’alen finally looked worried. Apparently, Lidra was much more important in his scheme of things than she’d gathered. “Fine. Take her back to the cell and keep a steady guard over her.” He glared suspiciously at his brother. “No, have Lexa do it. I’ll deal with Lidra and the others.”

With a backhand so sudden she was caught full in the face, B’alen forced Alandra to stumble back, away from him. She would have cracked her skull had ‘Sin Garu not held her arm.

“Easy, brother. No reason to hurt your future bride, now is there?”

B’alen grinned, and Alandra knew real fear. The monster was strong enough and enraged enough to kill her and half her people before anyone could counter him. And ‘Sin Garu only added fuel to the flames.

“I apologise if I offended you,” she said stiffly, cradling her sore jaw. Her hands met blood, and she prayed he hadn’t knocked out a tooth. Just the thought of appearing gap-toothed before the council was enough to make her feel faint. But the brutality she’d face if B’alen actually won his battle scared her silent.

He leaned closer, his anger somewhat tempered by her sudden apology. “You’re right, Alandra. I’ve been way too lenient for too long.”

He rubbed at the blood on her cheek and brought it to his lips. The minute his tongue tasted the red liquid, his eyes lit like blue flame. “We’re going to be together soon, Alandra. Never fear,” he mocked and disappeared with a soft whoosh.

“That wasn’t pleasant,” ‘Sin Garu murmured and dragged her back into the dungeon. She stared, bemused, as she noted his looks sliding into Zartic’s image.

“What? Zartic?”

“Keep it down,” he said in a muffled voice as he reached behind him into a small bag. He tossed her a thin, light brown shift. “Hurry up and put that on.”

She sighed as she did, glad to finally free some of her magic from that ridiculous glamour of clothing. “Are you really Zartic, or is this another Dark Lord game?”

He shrugged. “Look at me and see.”

Focusing easily, she noted the Shadow caressing his aura and knew him to be an Aellei. His true face appeared, a mess of bruises that had yet to heal, and she knew he’d deliberately shared the sight with her.

“B’alen’s work?”

He nodded. “As we speak, he’s on his way to meet his brother for some much needed family time. Sava’s waiting for you. And if you don’t hurry, we’ll have a major war on our hands.”

“War with Sava?”

“He mentioned Light Bringers have been spotted in Aelle. And I don’t think they’re here for me.” He frowned and rubbed his tender chin. “At least, I hope they’re not.”

“I’d go with you, but I’ve lost my charm.” Aerolus, you maddening man, when the hell do you think I might get that back?

“Use the back trail to find Sava and your Light Bringer allies. I’d go with you, but Lidra will get suspicious if I’m not back right away. I left for a brief call of nature, and she’s exceedingly difficult to please of late.”

Alandra nodded, too grateful at her chance to escape to question him further. Aerolus was here, for her, and he was walking into a trap. She had to warn him.

Concern for her love blocking all else from her mind, she fled the dungeon and immediately shimmered into a pixie, flying along the path to freedom.

“That was almost too easy,” Zartic said to the woman gliding out of the dark corner of Alandra’s cell.

“Desperation will do that.” As will love , Lexa thought bitterly. “So Lidra’s waiting for her, as we planned?”