Page 35 of A Fate of Wings

Melanie nodded her head at the Beast. “Perhaps you won’t get that with him, though.”

I risked a glance at the Beast. Sweat dotted his brow, but it was the only sign the siren’s song was affecting him. I longed to call a halt to the proceedings, but one after another, sirens sang for me and my soon-to-be mate. The Beast held steadfast the entire time, although I picked up on small twitches now and then from certain women. Hope flared inside my chest that perhaps I could trust him.

But how would I teach him to trust me enough to tell me his demon’s name? Then I’d have complete power over him.

Chapter eighteen

Rozronuuk

The Winter Court

“Who do you chooseto perform at the celebrations of our ceremony?” Thea lifted her chin boldly, daring me to pick another siren over her.

It would never happen. Not with song, nor beauty, not with anything.

The concerned wrinkle on her brow made me want to lick every inch of her skin and bury myself to the hilt into her welcoming body. Push all her worries away as I’d push into her welcoming dampness.

“I’m afraid I may be stone deaf.” I shrugged. “They all sounded the same to me.”

She coughed out a laugh and promptly squished her lips together.

“Perhaps your sister would like to choose?” I asked, surprising Thea if her pretty eyes widening were anything to go by.

“Yes, Melanie, why don’t you do the honor?” Thea agreed.

Melanie pointed out the one siren I’d struggled against the most. It didn’t surprise me. Her sister held a bucket load of rage hidden inside her. From what I’d overheard, it appeared she wasn’t happy about Thea choosing a mate, but from the amount of rage the woman held within herself, it had to be more. To say I didn’t like her sister was an understatement, but then again, I barely knew her. Apart from the fact she looked identical to Thea. That was where the similarities ended. If looks alone were what made Thea my mate, then Melanie would also be my mate. A fated mate was more than superficial beauty. It was the one whose soul complemented and challenged yours. Thea’s soul did all that.

“Very well.” Thea rose, her gown swishing about her like a sea of living blood. “Continue the preparations for the ceremony for the night of the yellow moon.”

I dipped to my knees. “Your majesty, it would be my great honor to escort you to the Winter Court for a celebratory feast. It is customary for demons to present our mates to the Demon King.”

Thea squared her shoulders. A sign I’d thrown her with my request. What I’d said was true. There was no time frame for when it should happen, but I was eager to get Thea out of her court because, like her, I sensed darkness coming for her. Everywhere I looked in the Autumn Court there appeared to be shadows lurking, waiting to pounce.

“When?”

“Tonight,” I demanded, then remembered to amend the way I spoke to her in front of her subjects. “If that would please my majesty?”

Her eyes narrowed for a split second as though she was struggling to figure out my surprise request.

“Very well. My personal guards, Arine and Raefa, and my handmaiden, Raelin, will accompany me.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” I clasped her hand in mine and brushed my lips over the back of her hand.

Melanie stepped forward. “Is that wise? What if the demons want you dead?”

I resisted shooting her a glare. Demons had never wanted to kill sirens. Quite a lot of us enjoyed their company. I may have enjoyed an encounter a time or two when I was younger myself, not that I’d admit that to Thea. Her jealousy might get the better of her and I wouldn’t put it past her to rip off my dick even if she enjoyed it immensely.

“I can assure her safe return,” I said.

Melanie turned with a huff and strode from the room, her billowing white gown a falsehood to her purity.

“Rise, Beast,” Thea said. “Let us make preparations to visit the Winter Court.”

I rose and threaded my arm through hers before escorting her from the throne room. I heard the almost silent footsteps of Raelin a few steps behind us as well as the boots of her personal guards. Thea relaxed with my arm on hers, her body soft in my embrace.

“Would you like to pack anything?”

“I thought you said it was for a feast?”