CHAPTER 29

Faye splashed her and her sister splashed her back.

The gate creaked and Faye jerked forward, looking behind them. Rune stepped into the garden, closing the gate behind him.

"No boys allowed," Sparrow yelled as she turned on her knees and folded her arms over the stone border.

"I came for a word with Faye," Rune said.

"You can have your words at noon. Begone."

Sparrow vanished, the water swallowing the space she occupied. Faye met his gaze, demanding, "What did you do?"

Rune exhaled and said, "Your sister is unharmed. I took her to her room."

"You can't do that," Faye hissed.

The corner of his mouth lifted at her remark. He strolled closer, and Faye lowered herself into the water to her chin. "Enjoying my spring?"

"I was." Faye retorted before she realized she was parroting their dreams. She flushed remembering the hard feel of his chest when she curled against him reading in front of the fire.

He stood at the edge of the spring, looking toward her garden. "I came to apologize for Sadi's behavior."

Faye tucked her legs under her. Bringing up her evil twin did nothing for her mood. "Is she still here?"

"She has taken up her rooms in the north wing," Rune said, glancing down at her.

"Why are you apologizing for her?" Faye peered up at him, not daring to hope he cared she left his study upset.

"Why did you apologize to your sister?"

"She's my family."

"My court is mine."

Sadi was part of his family. The information stung, and Faye covered her hurt with the only emotion that quieted her pain. Rancor, her constant companion since her failed ceremony. "And the High Queen, is she your family too?"

An howl sounded from the outer garden as a small fluffy white cat ran toward them with its fur puffed out. Faye's eyes widened as she screamed, "Sparrow no!"

Rune chuckled, canting his head at her sister. She leaped at him, shifting back into a woman, slamming her shoulder into his chest, knocking Rune off balance. They fell back together, splashing into the pool.

They surfaced at the same time, her sister swimming toward her. Faye could only stare at him with parted lips. The water droplets slid over him in a tantalizing display. Dripping from his lips, trailing down his neck. His long white-blonde hair and suit clung to his body.

She bit the inside of her lip, shifting in her seat.

"I win, fuck you." Sparrow proclaimed, sitting next to Faye.

He scrubbed his hand over his face, glowering at her, then vanished. Her sister turned to her, pouting. "He's a sore loser."

"I can't believe you did that." Faye pulled herself out of the pool, pulling on her silk robe.

"He started it," Sparrow whined, following her. "Where are you going?" She called, chasing after Faye.

Faye hurried through the gardens back into the great room. "I need to talk to him before he evicts you from Hell, and I'm stuck here alone."

"If he didn't start shit, there wouldn't be shit."

Faye ignored her sister, looking into Rune's study as she passed it. He wasn't there. She just hoped he was in his room, and he didn't poof somewhere completely different. She entered her room and went to their shared door.

"Rune?" She knocked and slowly opened the door.

Faye's mouth slacked as she froze. Rune stood beside his bed with his back to her, peeling off his soaked black dress shirt. His muscles rippled with his movement as Faye's gaze roamed from his broad shoulders to his lean waist.

Sparrow leaned her head on Faye's shoulder and whistled low. "You didn't tell me he was hiding all that under his boring suit."

Rune pulled his arm out of the sleeve and discarded his still dripping shirt to the ground. He turned toward them then, and Faye's mind blanked. The chiseled hard planes of his body brought back memories of their last dream and the lingering whispers of the kisses they shared.

Sparrow's weight suddenly vanished from her shoulder. Faye looked down to find her sister gone. "What'd you do with her now?"

Rune leaned in the door frame so close she could perceive his scent of amber and sandalwood. He reached out, gripping the door and Faye pulled her hand from the door handle. The corner of his mouth lifted and black swept through the entirety of his eyes, until his dark gaze stared down at her. Seeming to peer into her.

"I confined her to her wing. I did not appreciate her gaze." He crooned, leaning closer but not crossing over the threshold into her room.

Faye's heart pounded in her ears as he gazed into her eyes the way he had during their dreams. Their fathomless depths filled with longing and desire. Her gaze lowered to his sensual mouth, wanting to feel his lips on hers.

"Is there a reason you are at this door, vsenia?" Mischief glinted in his eyes before the shadows receded, and he took a step back as tension set in his jaw. "You should change unless you intend to wear that to our meeting." His pale blue gaze lowered over her body momentarily and rose to meet her eyes again. The longing and desire she'd seen earlier gone.

Faye couldn't tell if his mood swings were malicious or if he was touched in the head after living so long. And what the hell did vsenia mean? She turned on her heel, deciding she didn't care and left the room.

Rune's thoughts seized as the minx turned on her heel and left. The black material of her floor length silk robe billowed behind her.

Our Queen wanted to be chased,the Ra'Voshnik purred, urging him to follow her.

Rune had enough of the creature's mouth. He dug his claws into it as he shut the door. Descending into himself, dragging it with him to meet the Ra'Voshnik at the depth of his power.

It stood before him a perfect reflection, mirroring everything but his eyes.

"Take control of my body ag—"

"Our body." It grinned.

Rune stepped toward it, baring his fangs. "Attempt to control my body once more, and I will bury you so deep you will perceive nothing. You will exist in darkness and shadow."

It canted its head, and Rune drew a slow breath past his lips, sampling its emotions. The creature tasted of wanton desire, the flavor of spiced honey thick on his tongue.

"Careful with your threats," it said, leaning forward breathing in to taste his emotions as well. "We draw from the same strength. What's to stop me from burying you?" It stepped closer, patting his chest as it walked past him. "I'm not unreasonable, I'll share her with you."

Rune turned, grating, "You will not touch her."

It glanced at him over its shoulder. "She'll crave my hands on her body." Rune glowered as it turned to face him, slipping its hands into its pockets. "And offer me her throat."

"You are a fool fixated on a spell meant to kill us."

"You are a polished fool if you don't recognize our queen." It raised its eyebrows and glanced upward for a moment before exhaling in a dramatic sigh. "But you've proven that kneeling for Lyssa. Our mate will taste much sweeter. Tell me you don't dream of having your mouth between her thighs." It smiled knowingly. "I do. Often."

"She is mortal. You will injure her."

"I'm hers to command. If she wishes me to be gentle, I will be." The Ra'Voshnik dissipated into shadow and smoke, its incorporeal presence gliding through his mind.

Rune returned to his physical body, tension still riddling him. He took a calming breath before stripping out of his wet slacks. The mortal commanded the Ra'Voshnik and the fool creature embraced her leash. Longing for it.

He strolled to his bathroom, retrieved a towel, and paused before the mirror. He arched his brow, noticing a stray hair. He had canceled his monthly appointment to trim his hair and clean his brow. The minx reduced the entirety of his life into chaos.

Rune dried off and dressed before returning to his study. He took his seat behind his desk and opened a tattered, aged tome, glancing over the page as he listened for the minx's returning footsteps.

Rune read the passage for the sixth time, unable to concentrate on his research. He glanced at the grandfather clock near the black marble fireplace, distracted by the litany of positions the Ra'Voshnik fantasized about coaxing the mortal into.