Chapter 17

I've been in my father's carriage many times. But this one seems far smaller despite being larger. I guess my father and I were the only ones to share the carriage. I feel tiny, stuck in here with three great males surrounding me. I sit beside Archie, who is reading some book in a language I don't recognise. Dorian and Shaw sit opposite. Dorian glares out the window as if it's personally offended him, and Shaw is just watching me.

I've never realised how hard it is not to meet someone's gaze or ignore it when it's burning a hole in you.

If he's trying to make me feel nervous, he doesn't need to try so hard. Nerves flutter in my insides with as much grace as a hornet's nest.

I can't fuck this up because I'll end up bones on the bridge. Or if I almost fuck it up, I'll end up broken in a cell.

I'm not very good at behaving. Not that I don't try. I do! But shit tends to happen around me. Mainly when I open my mouth.

So I think tonight, I will keep it shut.

I think it equally wise to start my silence now to avoid any more threats.

I look out the window. We're travelling through a human village at the moment. I've not been to this one. I'm unsure of its name, but the humans look just as poor and bitter here as the ones I'm more familiar with. The bars and brothels are buzzing with activity. The meat markets and bakers are closed. Many eye the carriage and murmur. I wonder if they know that their precious warriors are inside.

‘How do you think it will be received?' I ask, already breaking my rule of silence.

‘How will what be received?' Shaw asks.

‘You, a witch killer. Me, a witch. Do you think they'll buy it? That you're even capable of love?'

‘I imagine not. So we better do a good job convincing them.' He nudges my knees apart with his. I slap him away as he chuckles. ‘The king has heard of the situation and wants to see for himself. That's all. We go. Make an appearance. And go home.'

‘They think I'm just an earth witch?'

‘Obviously.'

‘How did he find out about me?'

Shaw slowly glares at Dorian, whose stare out the window intensifies.

‘Well. Cole knows because someone made it damn clear we had you. And soldiers saw you at the bonfire despite our telling you to stay in the castle.' He drags his raised brows to me.

‘I told you. The banshee told me you wanted me.'

‘Because she wanted you to catch us doing something you wouldn't like,' Archie laughs gently, his nose still in a book. ‘Then she would get Shaw all to herself.'

‘Either way…' Shaw groans. ‘Word has spread. So we must get in front of the rumours as quickly as possible. You ran from your coven to be with me. You're an earth witch. Nothing more.'

There's a scream from outside. My full attention flies to the streets beyond, where a prostitute has just slapped the shit out of another sex worker. She takes a man's hand and leads him inside the rundown townhouse.

‘Do you think Cole would tell the king? What if that's why we're being called to the palace?' I let out a shuddering breath and flinch when Dorian's hand rests on my leg. He squeezes in reassurance and turns to look at me.

‘We would already be dead if the king knew,' he says like that would make me feel better. ‘You're going to be fine. No way they would ever invite a blood witch to the palace. No way.'

His slight smile settles me.

'Everything will be fine, Pixie. I assure you.'

I nod and trust his word.

What other choice do I have?

‘Everything is not going to be fine…' Archie says, looking at the lit-up castle. ‘Not by a long fucking shot.'

‘This… this isn't normal?' I ask.

‘Nope. Pixie, it is not normal.' Shaw's eyes scan the scene before us. The countless guards lining the path to the castle are all armed with swords. They're rigid. Well trained, I can tell. But there are so many. Way too many. The sound of music travels through the air, that and chatter. A lot of it.

It sounds like a party. It's not like the one at the bonfire. More restrained. Elegant. Royal.

Strange, considering the military presence.

‘Why do I feel like we might not come out if we go in there?' I ask under my breath.

‘Well. If we turn around and leave, that will be even worse.' Shaw takes a step forward. Every single soldier's head snaps in our direction, and he pauses.

‘I don't like this,' Archie says. ‘They're gonna take her and skin us alive.'

Shaw holds out his arm for me and keeps his very well-rehearsed smile on his calm-as-sin face.

‘My Love. Shall we go and meet our king?'

‘Sure,' I sigh, taking his arm. ‘But if I end up dead, I will kill you.'

‘Pixie. If you die, we'll be right behind you.'

He pulls me close to his side, and we walk on. The guards watch our every damned step.

‘Woah…' I gasp as we step inside, looking at the size and grandeur of the palace. At all the tapestries. Suits of armour. Marble floors and golden chandeliers. ‘This makes your castle look like a dump.'

‘Rude,' Shaw laughs. ‘I think this is tasteless and vulgar. Wealth should be understated. Not so shiny your eyes feel like melting if the light catches it.'

We walk on, our footsteps feeling too loud. The doors to the banquet hall are ahead. Several soldiers stop us when we enter the entrance hall, and they speak to Shaw off to the side. He nods and returns to us.

‘Well?' Dorian asks.

Shaw is sliding off his sword and many daggers.

‘Why are you taking off your weapons?' I whisper.

He doesn't answer me. Of course he doesn't.

He hands them to a guard and then takes my left hand. He places a black metal band around it. When it snaps shut, a glimmer of red shimmers over its surface.

‘What's this?' I ask.

‘Magical binding,' he replies. ‘No witch can enter without one. It makes it impossible for you to access your magic.' He leans in and plants a kiss on my cheek. ‘Behave.'

‘Yes, my love,' I reply with a sweet smile.

Shaw then gestures for Archie to follow him, and the pair walk towards two large wooden doors that reach floor to ceiling. The doors part. Inside, hundreds of guests walk, talk and dance. Music spills out, along with the smell of food and wine. They step inside, and the doors close.

Dorian's aura is thick, like a territorial and temperamental fog that vibrates.

Moments pass. A lot of moments.

‘What do you think they're doing in there?' I ask.

He shrugs. ‘Just remember what we spoke about.'

‘I'm scared,' I admit, fiddling with the band around my wrist.

‘I'd consider you a fool if you weren't.'

As we stand here, staring unblinkingly at the double doors, I can't help but wonder if this is all worth it. They will be killed if it's discovered they are harbouring a blood witch. Why would they risk it? Is it so important for them to have access to their magic that they risk their lives?

The doors open. The music inside has stopped. Two guards look straight at me.

‘Enter,' one of them demands. He looks at me from beneath his steel helmet. ‘Witch.'

I am so going to end up a windchime on the village gates.

We've all gotta die sometime, I suppose. Being what I am, I doubt I will find myself dying peacefully in my sleep.

I pull off my cloak, drop it in Dorian's hands, straighten my dress and stand tall. I might as well put this dress to good use. Perhaps the king will only see a delicate female body. Not the monster that lies within.

I head towards the doors and stride inside.

The banquet hall is filled with humans. Wealthy and powerful humans. I see jewels on necks. Clothing that cost more than what my father would spend in a year. The air is thick with tobacco smoke. The aroma of wine lies heavy in the air, and the smell of food has my mouth watering.

No one makes a single sound. The crowd before me parts, clearing my path.

Three thrones are at the very far end of the hall, all atop some golden steps. On the right throne, made of silver with two lion heads as armrests, a young man in his late teens slouches with a smug and self-important sneer. His crown lies crooked atop a mop of black hair, and his fingers tap on the armrest in a slow rhythm. To the left is a very poised and formidable-looking woman, sitting so upright I wonder if she can actually bend. The sparkles from her crown reach me even from here. The arms of her throne are birds taking flight. Ravens, I think.

And in the centre… The human king.

I gasp, and my feet stop mid step. He is… stunning. Utterly beautiful and formidable. So confident and in control, dressed in regal red and a simple crown atop his smooth black hair.

His eyes are on me, and even from this distance, I see them looking into whatever classes as a soul for me.

Shaw is stood with his back to me. He turns, and a slight smile appears as he sees me standing there, minus my cloak.

I walk to meet him, my eyes on him and only him. My heels echo around the stone room, and the soft mutterings of the courtiers in the crowd are no match for my heartbeat. Archie gives me a wink as I pass him. A wink and a hungry gaze.

I'm getting fonder of this dress.

Shaw holds out his hand. I take it. His lips kiss my knuckles, and still, our eyes remain locked. He guides me to his side, and we face the king.

‘My King,' Shaw says softly, offering him a bow. ‘May I introduce Ashe Nectan? Formally of the Earth Coven in Whippet Woods, the Crescent Valley.' He lifts his gaze to mine. ‘My love. This is King Harnin. To his right is the Prince Kern. And to his left, the most gracious Queen Lizabeth.'

It's harder than I expected to pull my focus away from him. The intensity of his look is almost believable. I'm not sure anyone has ever looked at me like this before. Not even when he was buried deep inside me did Shaw look at me like this.

I face the royals and curtsy.

‘My King,' I greet, in my well-rehearsed sweet voice that was drummed into me by my father. ‘My Queen. My Prince. I am truly honoured.'

The queen's lip curls as she looks at me. I may as well be a steaming pile of shit on her polished floor. The way her eyes examine my dress has her actually twitching.

But the king remains utterly unreadable, looking at me with the occasional slow blink and his index finger taping on the arm of his throne.

When he doesn't speak, I fill the silence.

‘Thank you for your invitation.' I straighten myself, still gripping Shaw's hand. He grips me back, telling me he's right there. ‘It's a pleasure to be-'

‘So you are the earth witch who abandoned her coven?' the king cuts in, his words tired and bored. He even adds an eye roll as if talking to me is utterly tedious. ‘Why?'

‘Excuse me?'

‘Leaving your coven is not permitted. You are aware of the rules, are you not?'

‘I-I am,' I reply.

‘And yet, you fled on the night of your Blood Rite. Without consent from your coven leader.'

‘Well, I didn't flee-'

‘Are you aware that I have given orders to execute any witch that refuses to join their coven on Blood Rite?'

‘Well, if you allow me to-'

‘You think you can disobey the law?' he cuts in. ‘My law?'

‘I didn't-'

‘You are a witch. A link in a chain that I have wrapped around all of your necks, and I can tighten that chain until you all choke.' He points at me. ‘You breathe through my graces. That is all. You disobeyed the law, and if you expect me to believe that you did so for love when we all know that neither you nor a man like him is even capable of such a thing, then you call me a fool. Am I a fool, witch?'

There's a knife to all our throats in an instant, and all of the guards have withdrawn their weapons.

‘I do not think you a fool,' I insist, terrified to move in case my throat is slit ear from ear.

‘Witches obey,' the king barks. ‘You stay in your covens and do everything commanded of you. The moment you do not is the moment I slaughter every single one of you and-'

‘As long as I am under supervision, I can remove myself from my coven!' I argue, cutting over the king and causing the entire room to gasp openly at my impertinence. ‘Your laws allow that.'

‘If you agree to incarceration or servitude for your king, yes, that is true.' He snarls his words through gritted teeth, utterly outraged I dare speak over him. ‘I do not recall your petition for becoming one of my guards nor my prisoner.'

‘I am in the bed of the greatest witch hunter in history. There is no other man alive that has killed more of my kind than him.'

‘And yet you flee your coven for him?'

‘I do.'

‘You clearly have not seen the bone arches of the villages. You have not seen how many of the bones your lover placed there. You are a na?ve and foolish girl. You have not seen-'

‘You haven't seen My Lord naked,' I interrupt. ‘Nor have you seen his considerable skill in the bedroom, but I assure you, both are worth abandoning a loveless and cold coven. I hold no love for the bones in the arches. I hold no affection for killers of the innocent. For blood magic or their followers. My lord has shown me nothing but kindness and satisfaction. More than anyone in my coven has ever been capable of.'

The king's eyebrows raise. When I look at Shaw, even he's looking at me like I'm insane. His lips are parted and eyes wide.

‘Apologies, my king,' Shaw grinds out, looking ready to smack me. ‘She is still a little wild.'

The king laughs. The court laughs. I feel myself turn crimson.

Why the hell did I say all that?

The king raises his hand, silencing everyone as he descends the steps and stops before me. I sink back, the blade still at my throat and the guard holding it pinning me to his body. His brow is raised, waiting for me to speak.

‘I…' I look at Shaw, who nods in encouragement to say something. Anything! ‘I'm sorry I didn't ask permission to leave the coven, My King. My Coven would have stopped me if they knew. I assumed the head of your witch-killing army would be sufficient to make sure I didn't break your laws. After all, I'm just one earth witch female. If he can't supervise me, what good is he?'

Shaw full on frowns at my insult.

The king scoffs.

‘My leaving was a spur-of-the-moment choice. I had little other options. I couldn't ask my coven leader permission to leave as he would have denied it.'

‘Because you were betrothed to his son?' The king asks, a brow cocked.

I let out a shaky breath, the blade at my neck feeling really sharp suddenly.

How does he know that?

‘So. You met Ronan Shaw. Fell in love. And left?' Every one of his words drips with sarcasm.

‘No,' I reply, making this smug, I-knew-it-grin appear. ‘I was ordered to marry a man I hated. One who I was forced to pretend to love despite his infidelity with my best friend. I was assigned a life and a role. I was given to a man whose idea of foreplay was painful and embarrassing for both of us. So yeah. I sought out someone who might offer me a way out.'

‘And the man stained with hundreds of your kind's blood is that man?'

‘My King. You have no idea what it is to be forced to marry. To be forced to be someone you aren't. To be forced to live a life you loathe with a man that offers as much excitement and interest as a dry puddle.' I face Shaw. ‘Look at me. A simple earth witch. Stood before the great king, wearing a dress I could only have dreamed of, surrounded by the greatest in the land and with a beautiful man on my arm. And I assure you, he is not lenient with me. I am well-watched. Given firm instructions which I obey.'

‘And you are happy in his confinement?'

‘No,' I laugh. ‘But I'm far more satisfied in his cage than I ever was in my coven's chains.'

Silence again.

The king straightens, peering down his nose at me.

Is this the moment I die? I wonder, will I see my body fall as my head is severed? Chickens sometimes run after their heads are cut off. Will I twitch? Will I blink?

‘Well,' he sighs. ‘This must be rather embarrassing.'

He looks past me to the crowd. There's a fair amount of shuffling, but I don't dare turn to look, or I may find myself minus a head. The king has a sadistic smirk. One of natural cruelty.

‘To have your woman in your enemy's bed and for her to reveal how utterly inadequate you are must be beyond shameful for you. Like we expect anything different from a witch.'

His laugh encourages the same from his court.

‘Do you still petition to have her returned to you?' the king continues. ‘Why bother? She clearly wants nothing to do with you.'

‘I do wish her returned, My King.' My body stiffens. ‘She is mine by right. I was promised her. And when a vow such as this is made within our Coven, it is unbreakable.'

I don't know what fills me more. Hate or dread.

I turn, feeling the steel of the guard's blade move with me.

‘Cole…' I breathe, the name vile on my tongue.

He's dressed in all his finery. The best an Earth Witch could own, which marks him as poor compared to the others here. He refuses to look in my direction, choosing to keep his focus on the king. His hands are cupped behind him, and his head is held high. But his face… there's no scar. I boiled his blood. He clearly survived, but he should be marked. Last I saw, his face was half melted. It's impossible that he's so pristine.

‘It seems pretty breakable to me,' the king snorts. ‘Considering she's shacked up with my general.'

Shaw's looking so smug as he faces Cole. Cole's eye twitches when he meets his gaze.

‘He stole her,' Cole snarls.

‘Did the witch killer steal you, Earth Witch?' asks the king, looking at me.

‘No, My King,' I reply.

The king raises his brow to Cole.

‘We have laws, My King. Laws that are in place for both our safety and yours. If this is permitted, other women may leave. We must stay together to avoid any breakaway factions. Constant and diligent monitoring of every witch is key to avoid any dangerous activity being encouraged from outside elements.'

‘Do you think I am at risk of encouraging a witch to misbehave?' Shaw jeers. ‘Shall I direct you to the gates of the villages which I personally decorated? Remind you of what I do to witches that do not do as instructed by their superiors?'

‘The General has a point,' the queen says, her voice as sharp and pointed as her entire demeanour. ‘I do not believe he would allow an unruly witch to live.' She stands, her thin and arrow-straight frame towering high. ‘But I am curious to know why he has chosen a creature he proclaims to loathe. General. Why have you declared yourself to love a witch?'

Ronan's lip hitches. ‘You haven't seen her naked,' he replies, looking at me and offering a wink.

Archie's snort carries clear over the crowd. ‘Sorry,' he mutters, trying to stop himself from laughing any further. ‘This is serious. Blades to throats. Imminent death a huge possibility. I'll be quiet.' He clears his throat. ‘Carry on.'

The king stares at him, utterly dumbfounded. Archie's got a sword pressed to his throat, the same as us.

And he doesn't give a shit.

‘Anyway…' the king continues. ‘She does not want you, Cole.' The king waves his hand. ‘And I doubt she will make it past the winter without getting her neck snapped by her lover after he tires of her. My general is well equipped at keeping witches in hand. He can keep her.'

He turns and gestures for the music to continue. Shaw is released, the guard lowers his sword as Shaw straightens his jacket. The blade is lowered from my throat, and I'm far less elegant in recomposing myself.

‘My king!' Cole demands, stepping forward.

The king stops still and goes visibly rigid in annoyance. He turns.

‘She must be returned.' Cole points angrily at me. ‘Our laws demand it. Our magic. And you vowed to honour our laws. We have sacred rites and traditions that must be upheld. To deny them is a slight to both our coven and the magics that maintain your lands. If she is permitted to leave, then others will try, too. If they leave, I can not monitor them.'

‘Your inability to control your coven is an issue that lies with you, Cole,' Shaw replies with a shrug. ‘There is no question on my abilities to command obedience from those I own and command. The witch is under my command. She has asked to be mine. Begged, in fact. And I have obliged. If you require assistance in controlling your coven, I will assist you.' He flashes his fangs, running his tongue along them in a dark promise. ‘Gladly.'

Prick. He's making me sound desperate.

‘You stole her, and you know it.'

‘She came to me.'

‘What she wants is of no consequence at all. She belongs to me. You stole her from me. I demand she is returned.'

His voice is raised and echoes around the hall. Damn. He's furious. Every vein in his neck throbs, and if his jaw were any tighter, it would snap.

Shaw takes a few slow steps towards him.

‘And what will you do with her if I do return her?' he asks. ‘Marry her? Have her lead your coven as your wife? Tell me, Cole. Why her? What makes her so damned special, especially when not just a moment ago, you had your arm around her best friend.'

I hadn't noticed, but Thalia is here too. She looks from Cole to the floor, unsure where to set her glance.

Shaw's goading Cole. And it's dangerous. He could admit what I am out of sheer spite. Declare to all that the Blood Rite named me a blood witch.

Sure. I would be killed. Slowly and for sport.

But then he would be condemning his coven to a purge. If they can make one blood witch, they can make more.

No human will risk another war. The king especially.

‘I will do what I must to protect my coven and the humans we serve,'

‘You will kill her for her slight to you,' Shaw replies. ‘She was promised to you as a wife. Do you intend to take her as such?'

The king awaits his answer.

‘The truth, Coven Leader. For I will check,' the king adds.

‘No. Not after this beast has sullied her.' Utter disgust etches over Cole's face.

‘So the agreement was that she would be your wife. You are no longer interested in her in that capacity. The contract, such as it was, is void on your part. Not hers. I could order her to return as your wife. And you could marry her. But you refuse to do so. In my opinion, you want her back to punish her.' The king starts to laugh. ‘And I firmly believe she will beg to be returned in a few months. Leave her with the witch killer. She will suffer, I am sure.'

‘Then return her to me in a few months,' Cole tries. ‘You will satisfy the laws and show the other females that leaving means pain and suffering, only to be returned anyway.'

When Shaw goes to speak, the king silences him with a hand.

Shit. He's actually considering it. I can see his mind ticking over.

It's true. Some others may want to leave, and if I'm permitted, where does it end?

It feels like an eternity passes until he faces the entire court.

‘General, you have until the snow falls… to wed this witch.'

Shaw's face falls so far my stomach hits the floor.

‘Wed the witch, Ronan. Before the court. And you can keep her.' The king scoffs. ‘For the rest of her life.'

With a wave of his hand, the music starts again, and everyone returns to their food, drink and chatter.

Cole storms up to Shaw and speaks viciously in his ear. When I go to intervene, Shaw holds up his hand, stopping me. He smirks as Cole rages, laughing to himself as he struggles to keep it a whispering shout.

I turn to see Thalia at my back.

‘Come home, Ashe,' she pleads. ‘You know you must.'

I lean in, smiling hatefully. ‘I hope you're miserable as his slut.'

Her face hardens. ‘Better Cole's slut than a vampire's whore. I can't believe I ever loved you.'

‘If you loved me, you wouldn't have gone behind my back with him. You would have helped me when they tied me to that tree.'

There's a flicker of guilt in her eyes. She steps back. It's then I see a ring on her finger.

‘You're…' Bile rises in my throat. ‘You're engaged to him?'

‘Proudly so.' She straightens. ‘Cole chose me. I will be the coven leader's wife.' She steps close, hatred on her face and loathing in her words. ‘How could you leave when you know what you have to do? The fate of our coven lies on your shoulders.'

‘I will not die for a bunch of people who made my life a living hell,' I hiss back in equal measure. ‘For a friend who betrayed me. A father who abandoned me. And a pathetic male who fucked you as I was being tortured.'

‘You have no one else to blame but yourself for what is to come. That monster will not marry you, Ashe. You will be back home by the time the snow falls.' She looks me up and down with a sneer. ‘And no one will save you. They do not care for you. Vampires only hate us, and I don't care what you have told the human king. You are not happy. You are frightened. Alone. Doomed. Come back to us. We will end it quickly.'

An arm wraps around my waist and pulls me in. Her eyes widen and terror shimmers in her eyes.

‘You good, Ashe?' Archie asks.

‘Fine,' I reply.

He smiles at her. But not a warm smile. Not in the slightest. She actively shudders.

‘So this is Thalia?' he asks, looking her up and down. He scoffs. ‘Is she upsetting you?'

I shake my head, but I'm sure he knows the truth. His arm tightens around me.

‘If you make her cry, Thalia, or upset her, annoy her, or make her angry, I will visit your family personally. Am I clear?'

She hastily nods, and tears brim in her eyes.

‘She's put up with your coven's sadistic cruelty for long enough. We will not allow her to suffer another second. So hear me when I say… Ashe is well protected.'

She steps back, only to meet Dorian's chest. He growls. She yelps, drops her wine and stumbles, looking between the two men.

Dorian steps towards her. ‘And when Cole passes you around, no one will save you. Ashe is home, and if she ever needs saving, we will follow Shaw into the pits of hell to bring her back.'

She looks at me desperately as if pleading for help.

‘I am happy,' I smile, filled with overwhelming pride and appreciation for these two coming to my aid like this. ‘I am not frightened of them, and I assure you, I am far from alone. And if you or the coven try to take me back, I will ensure the only doomed ones will be you.'

A hand slides in mine. Shaw kisses my hand, looking at me like the most devoted lover I have ever seen.

‘Sorry to have been away from you for so long, my love,' he says softly, taking my hand and facing her. ‘Is she bothering you? Please, say yes.'

‘No. She's not bothering me,' I reply. ‘Fuck off, Thalia.'

She leaves to join Cole, who is watching us all with a look that could kill.

Her arm links with his, and both look at me with murderous intent.

‘I am so fucking proud of you, Pixie,' Shaw admires, kissing my cheek. His hand settles on my hip as he looks down at me. ‘You have some balls on you, saying what you said and holding your ground.'

‘Not quite the timid little mud witch you thought, huh?'

‘I never thought that for a second. Not a damn one.'

He leans down and rests his lips on mine, kissing me softly. His eyes remain open.

‘Kiss me back, Pixie.'

I lean into his kiss, sliding my hand through his hair as he towers over me.

Behind, Cole is red with rage as he looks on.

‘See that?' Shaw asks, his kiss ended. ‘He's jealous.'

‘I think you're confusing your emotions, dream walker. That's hatred.'

‘Oh yes. Hatred, for sure. But he reeks of jealousy.' He sweeps my hair from my face, maintaining his pretence of a devoted lover. ‘He still loves you, and seeing you in my arms drives him insane.'

‘No. He really doesn't love me. No one could do what he did to the woman they love.'

‘Men like us always break the things we cherish most. Love brings out the worst in all of us, Pixie. And sometimes, it destroys what we love most. That's the danger of being loved by a monster.'

‘You speak as if you have experience of love.'

‘Many lifetimes ago, Pixie.' He kisses my forehead.

‘You're not going to marry me, are you?'

‘I might.'

‘Well, if you want to keep me, you better figure something out.'

He takes my chin and looks down at me. ‘Now. Keep your composure when I tell you this,' he says. ‘The king has ordered we stay the night.'

‘What… why?' I glance around at the many guards lining the walls.

‘Cole is being sworn in as the new coven leader tomorrow at noon. It's a whole thing. There's a party afterwards, but I've gained permission for us to leave after the ceremony. Not sure I can take any more parties for a while.' He reaches over and collects two more glasses of wine, handing one to me.

The knowledge he gets rewarded with power over an entire coven after everything he's done makes my teeth grind violently. If I were stronger, the glass in my hand would shatter.

Bastard. I hate him with every ounce of me. Inside and out.

‘You'll finally get to see him kneel. Just as you wanted,' Shaw reminds me. ‘And I'll have you at my side, just as I promised. That's something, right?'

I nod. It's something. But not enough. Not by a long shot.

‘Drink up, Pixie. You've earned it.'

The hours pass, and for the most part, I‘m bored out of my skull. The boys are happy enough talking to the many curious court members that approach. Many of them are women who look at them with poorly disguised lust. Compared to the men they are married to, they're nothing short of gods. Podgy men with blotchy skin bellow with forced and superior laughter as they talk. I remain by the large stained glass window and sneakily take a glass of wine as it passes on a tray. The servant side eyes me in distaste, so I wink at him and blow him a kiss.

I do like wine. It fills me with warmth and makes me feel giddy. I drink deeply, watching a young blonde woman slide her hand down Archie's arm. He leans in and taps the edge of her nose playfully, making her blush. Dorian stares with utter boredom into nothing as some gentleman talks nonstop at him. He drinks deeply from his wine and groans in the relief it provides. Shaw has the ear of the queen as she remains seated on her throne.

It becomes very clear that the guys are a treat and curiosity for the court. A delicacy, perhaps. Three powerful, lethal and beautiful immortal males are in their midst. I guess that doesn't happen too often. They're what the human females were in their castle.

Something different. Something usually forbidden.

Cole stands like a soldier by the doors, staring at me nonstop. I feel his gaze like fire on my skin. Thalia remains a step behind him, just as we were taught to. One step behind. Hands clasped together. A passive and pleasing expression and a lowered gaze.

She's the image of a good earth witch. Timid. Obedient. Well groomed and understated. Humble and pure.

Pure my arse. I've seen her bent over and screaming.

I down the rest of the wine and promptly snatch another as it passes.

When Dorian's mark twinges, I see him glaring at me. He slowly shakes his head as I lift the glass to my lips.

Without any instruction from me, my hand lowers. He has his hands behind his back, but I know he's got my doll in his fingers and is controlling me. He makes me return the glass to a passing tray before returning his extremely bored attention to the drunk man still speaking.

I look at the door.

Cole is gone. Thalia is still there, still poised and pathetic.

‘Good evening, Earth Witch.'

I jump as the Prince steps before me. He tilts his head as I face him.

‘Want some advice?' he asks, without really asking at all. He leans into my face. The smell of tobacco and wine wafting in my face. ‘Beg.'

‘Excuse me?'

‘Beg Cole for forgiveness and return where you belong before it's too late.' He runs his finger down my arm. ‘Return to who you belong to. Things will be much better for everyone if you do.'

‘She is with who she belongs to.' Shaw firmly takes my waist and pulls me into his side. I'd fall if he didn't grip me so tight. ‘And the only man she begs anything for is me.'

‘You are not capable of love, Ronan. Give her back before it's too late.'

‘Too late for what, My Prince?'

Silence and an extremely awkward stare.

‘Enjoy your stay at the palace, Earth Witch.' He takes my hand in both his, gripping my wrist tighter than needed, and kisses my knuckles. 'Who knows when you will have such luxury again.'

‘Her name is Ashe,' Shaw says smoothly.

I don't miss the derisive eye roll before the prince turns away.

‘What did he say to you?' Shaw demands, watching the prince leave.

‘Just what you heard.'

‘Are you okay?'

‘What did he mean by that?'

‘By what?'

‘ "Give her back before it's too late". What did he mean by that?'

A glass of wine is held out to me. I take it, thanking Archie, who offers it. Dorian stands beside him and takes the wine away, placing it on another passing tray.

‘Probably meant before Shaw breaks you,' Archie laughs, watching the prince as he talks to a group of men.

They all sip from their wine, watching the court and the enemies amongst the crowd.

‘So,' Archie announces with his usual cheer. ‘Whose room is she staying in tonight?'

‘That would be mine,' Shaw says firmly.

‘Your future wife?' Archie teases.

Shaw brings the wine to his lips with a heavy sigh. ‘Shut up, Archie.'

‘Hey. I offered to be the lover. You said no.'

‘Because I'm the one in charge. And no one would believe you to be monogamous.' Shaw takes my hand and leads me towards the music. ‘Come on. I want you to myself for a bit.'

I'm spun into his arms and pulled close into his chest. Then he starts to dance with me.

‘Everyone is looking at you,' I tell him, seeing countless eyes on us as he guides me in graceful steps.

‘Let them look.' He dips me low and returns me slowly. ‘How are you holding up?'

‘Do you care?'

He pulls me harshly into him so our fronts are pressed together.

‘I care if you're considering sneaking off to speak to your friend.'

‘I wasn't.'

‘Sure about that?'

‘Positive.'

‘I can't wait to be alone with you, Pixie. Your performance with the king has most certainly earned you some satisfaction.'

‘Is that so?' I smile. ‘Perhaps I should argue with royalty more often.'

‘As long as you're not arguing with me, I don't mind.'

As we dance, a dull ringing begins in my ears. The more he spins me, the higher pitched it becomes.

‘I think the wine has gone to my head,' I tell him. He slows, looking down at me. ‘It's giving me a headache.'

‘A classic excuse, I'll give you that.'

‘No. Really.' I stop, the pain growing as well as the volume. A constant eeeeeeeeeee sounding in my head. ‘I'm not feeling too good.'

‘Look at me.' He lifts my chin to see my eyes better.

My vision shifts out of focus.

‘I think someone put something in my wine.' I grip him tighter as the room sways. ‘Can we go…' My words fade as something behind him, amongst the blurred and shifting court members that dance with one another, comes slowly into view. ‘Shaw…' I whisper.

‘What?' he turns to look.

But I know he won't see what I'm looking at.

The naked woman is covered head to toe in cuts. Her blood, both dried and dripping, smothering her body. It's the woman from the mirror. The woman I see often, but never so solid. Never so clear.

‘I'm seeing a dead woman.'

My fingers dig into him as I hear rasped and laboured breathing in my ear. The last gasps of a dying woman.

I turn. She grabs my head, and that high-pitched ringing turns into a vicious scream that deafens me.