The Half Blood Book 5

I found myself unable to tear my gaze away from him. He moved with an air of authority, as if the world was his to command.

His eyes, a striking shade of green, stood out against his black leather attire that accentuated his broad shoulders and muscular build.

He wore thick chains around his biceps, adding to his intimidating presence.

“You’re late, My Lord,” Sorcha chided him, but Kieran simply took his place beside the King.

I found myself stealing another glance at him. The last time I saw him, he was by the river with Tara.

I took in every detail of him once more. The prominent veins on his hands, the way his dark hair contrasted with his eyes, giving him a wild appearance.

A throat cleared beside me, pulling me from my thoughts.

Sorcha was looking at me, and I responded with a quizzical lift of my eyebrows.

The King started discussing the threat to the Courts now that a magical crystal was in the possession of the Seelies.

Hold on…was this the same crystal Tara had?

“Finn hasn’t made a move yet,” someone pointed out.

“That’s because Finn is waiting for the perfect moment to invade our Kingdom, Jarrah,” Sorcha replied.

“I can only see as far as the gods allow me. We need to act fast and retrieve the crystal from him.”

“With all due respect, Sorcha,” Riathan interjected, “it’s not as simple as walking into the Seelie Kingdom and stealing from one of their lords, let alone the Queen’s brother.”

“I didn’t think the Lord of the Court of Tears would be so fearful. I bet the Lord of the Court of Fears is having a field day with you.”

Ouch!

Sorcha certainly didn’t mince her words.

Riathan’s face darkened, a muscle in his jaw twitching. He must be livid. If there was anyone he despised more than anything, it was the Lord of the Court of Fears.

“Sorcha.”

I found myself looking at him again as he addressed the old woman. His voice was deep, almost gruff.

“Lord Kieran,” Sorcha responded, raising an eyebrow.

At this point, I was questioning why I was still here instead of trying to escape Riathan’s grasp.

With each passing moment, it was becoming increasingly difficult. I needed to find a way to communicate with the Lord of the Court of Fears.

I glanced at Sorcha…perhaps she could assist me.

“Sorcha.” This time, it was the King who called her name. “Let’s get to the point.”

Sorcha nodded in agreement. “Of course, my King.”

While the Lords and the King occupied one end of the rough-hewn, obsidian wood table, Sorcha and I sat at the opposite end.

“Lord Riathan is correct in saying that it’s not easy to infiltrate Seelie territory and steal something that belongs to them. But it’s not impossible.

“The Seelies are hosting their usual games in a few days. What better way to infiltrate than to have one of our own spy for us?”

“Lord Finn will be plotting something, and we need to be aware before he and his army arrive here.”

“The Seelie could discover that one of our faes is spying on them. Finn might recognize one of our own on sight.”

“And Lord Jarrah is correct,” Sorcha turned to the fae with cat-like eyes and short dark hair. “That’s why we have the perfect candidate among us.”

Suddenly, all eyes were on me, including Lord Kieran’s, who had been sitting quietly in his chair.

His intense gaze made me uneasy for a moment, before I turned to Sorcha. “Are you referring to me?”

“I don’t see who else we could be discussing here.”

The prospect of participating in the fae games didn’t scare me, but it did make me uncertain. Perhaps this was my chance to escape.

All I had to do was survive a few simple games, right?

“Sorcha, Sorana is mine,” Riathan interjected, looking at me with raised eyebrows.

“And no one is disputing that, Lord Riathan. Do we need your permission to utilize her?”

“Demoness.”

I turned to the King when he addressed me.

“I can consider this a favor you’re doing for us.” His steady gaze seemed to suggest he knew about my plans to escape Riathan.

“If you survive the games and bring back useful information, I will grant you a favor in return.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What’s in it for me?”

The Unseelie King just smirked, his amber eyes reflecting his dark amusement.

I glanced at Riathan, his gaze locked on me. The bastard.

This was my opportunity.

“I’m in.”

Riathan’s face was a mask of fury, and I shuddered to think what would happen when we were alone.

He’d have to find a new plaything because I was going to do whatever it took to survive and come back with something valuable enough to buy my freedom from this godforsaken Kingdom.

I sighed, turning to the old woman as she spoke. “You agreed too quickly, demoness. You have no idea what you’re getting into with these games.

“You’ve just made your situation worse, and I don’t think you realize it.”

“Let me decide if my situation has worsened. After all, it was you who suggested using me in this war of yours.

“Now you’re worried about my well-being? Seems a bit hypocritical, don’t you think, Sorcha?” I shot her a sideways glance.

“Lord Finn won’t appreciate your attitude,” she warned again.

“Finn doesn’t have to like my attitude. He just needs to worry about keeping his head attached to his body.”

“You could die out there.”

“We’ll see about that.” My gaze landed on the Lord of the Court of Fears, who watched me with a detached silence.

“You’re right, Sorcha.” Jarrah turned to me. “She’s perfect. She’s not afraid to die. So if she does…”

His voice dripped with sarcasm as his eyes met mine. “No one will miss her.”

His harsh words didn’t faze me, so I responded with the same empty smile I always gave Riathan. “Do you have a mate, Lord Jarrah? Children?”

“Lord Jarrah has chosen not to settle down,” Sorcha answered for him.

“Then no one will miss you either if you die. Another Lord will take your place, and the name Jarrah will be forgotten. Your existence is as meaningless as mine.”

I half expected him to attack me in anger, but instead, he burst into laughter. “I like you, demoness.”

“We have pressing matters to attend to, Jarrah,” Lord Kieran interjected, his deep voice laced with irritation.

Jarrah finally straightened up, setting aside his jovial demeanor.

“So, how do we proceed?” Riathan asked the King. “What’s the plan for the demoness to infiltrate the Seelie?”

“The demoness will escape from your Court. She must cross the River of Pain and reach Seelie territory.

“We won’t contact her for now, so as not to jeopardize her position,” the King explained. “Tonight, Lord Riathan, you must let her escape.”

At last, my new plan was set in motion. I would escape Riathan, survive the games, and claim my reward. Soon, I would be far away from this Kingdom.

Riathan watched me from his seat, his expression far from pleased. Could it be that the Lord had feelings for me? No way.

That asshole was too self-absorbed, using humans for his own amusement at his Court.

Once the discussion was over, Riathan rose abruptly.

“Demoness, it’s time to leave.”

I stood up quietly, but the old woman suddenly grabbed my wrist. “Not yet, Lord Riathan. I need to speak with her first. My King, if I may.”

“The rest of you may leave.” The King looked at Kieran and nodded.

As everyone else left, the sound of a door opening made me turn around.

A door had materialized out of nowhere in the wall behind me. Beyond it was darkness.

“Follow me,” Cian instructed, and Sorcha and I trailed behind him.

As we stepped through, the darkness lifted, revealing shelves filled with books that reached the ceiling. A neatly arranged desk of brown wood sat in the center.

But what truly caught my eye was the massive wall of glass, resembling ice, that showcased a snow-covered forest and a frozen lake with chunks of ice floating on its surface.

I found myself drawn towards the glass wall, lost in thought.

Something about the landscape tugged at my senses. I looked at the forest, then at the lake. The water, the ice, the surroundings…everything felt familiar.

“What’s the matter, demoness?” Sorcha asked.

“Nothing.” I turned to face her and found a pair of translucent green eyes watching me from the closed door.

I turned a blind eye to him, questioning instead, “Is this still the Court of Darkness?” The surroundings felt unfamiliar.

“No, we’re in Lord Kieran’s Court now,” Sorcha clarified.

The Court of Fears.

“Why have we come here?”

The King glanced my way, hands casually tucked into his pockets.

“Lord Kieran will be your liaison to us. Any information you wish to relay, you’ll pass through him.”

“Lord Kieran will accompany me?” My gaze was drawn to his captivating green eyes.

“No.” It was the first time the Lord of the Court of Fears had spoken to me directly. I studied him intently.

His raven hair cascading to his neck, those eyes, his chiseled lips, and his muscular physique were an image I’d never forget.

Now that I had his attention, another thought crossed my mind. “I’d like to see Tara.”

“She’s in the Vampire Realm with her mate.” His jaw clenched slightly.

“It’s not suitable for the Vampire Queen to return to the Court at this time,” Sorcha started to explain.

“Why not?”

“War can have severe repercussions for all, her included.”

“So she’s unable to come to this Realm?” I queried.

“And the same goes for you. What the hell were you thinking, plunging into the River of Pain? I bet those sirens had a field day with you.”

Sorcha’s tone almost suggested genuine concern for me.

“That’s my issue to deal with, old woman,” I retorted dryly.

But the old woman wasn’t done. “I hope the sirens informed you of the consequences of shedding your feelings and emotions.”

She arched an eyebrow.

I remained silent.

“They warned you, didn’t they? And yet you went ahead.” Her eyes narrowed slightly, a disapproving glare directed at me.

“Didn’t you consider the implications once you found your mate?”

“Do you think I give a damn?” The mention of my mate seemed to stir something within me. It felt like my blood was starting to simmer.

“Clearly not.” Her previous sarcasm was replaced by genuine anger. The old woman seemed truly upset with me.

Which I couldn’t comprehend. We had no connection. “You could drop dead in the Seelie Kingdom, and I wouldn’t bat an eyelid.”

“It’s a double-edged sword. And for the record, I don’t recall any of you showing concern when you all agreed to use me for your own purposes.

“Don’t lecture me about life and consequences when you’re all sending me to my doom,” I shot back.

“Your mate would care.”

“And what makes you think he would? He’s not here.” I raised an eyebrow. This conversation was becoming tiresome.

“I’d wager you’ve met him, interacted with him, and still have no clue who he is.”

“Sorcha,” the King’s voice held a note of warning.

“I believe you’re mistaken, old woman,” I countered.

“And why’s that?”

And I found myself drawn to the owner of that deep, enticing voice. Hold on…enticing? Since when was I attracted to the Lord of the Court of Fears?

“Because if my mate were in the same room as me, wouldn’t he have claimed me or at least revealed himself?

“I’ve been surrounded by men for the past few months, and none have claimed me.” I then turned to face the old woman.

“And if, as you suggest, I’ve already met him, why don’t I even know his name? I might think he’s a coward or simply uninterested.

“Ultimately, we’re doing each other a favor by ignoring each other, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Tread carefully with this one, Lord Kieran. She’s fearless.” Sorcha’s gaze shifted to him.

I turned to the King. “You promised me a favor.”

His amber eyes seemed to twinkle, “First, you have to survive.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll be back.”