Blood and Reign (Cassandra Myles Witch Series) (20 page)

“Whoever i
s doing this must be powerful.” Lochlan joined the conversation. “Almost all fae can perform magic. We are magical creatures. Just little things, like creating light or moving small objects, but the spell of silence requires skill that only handful of fae would have. Even those fae would not have their powers back to that level.”

“Clearly someone has. I want a
list of everyone who would have been capable of doing this.” Lucius smiled at me.

“Is there anything else about this spell I should know?”

“Even at full power, a fae who worked this spell would be weakened for a very long time and when the spell was set off, it would zap their energy then too.” Lochlan rubbed his hands over his face. “Our magic, even when we were at our most powerful, isn’t infinite. There is always a cost.”

“
We have something to work with; that’s more than we had earlier. We will honor Sir Cian for his bravery. He may not have told us what we needed to know, but what he said may help.” I rubbed my temples. I had an itch in my brain. There was something I knew, but it was just out of reach. “What did he mean ‘she’s still queen’? Was he talking about Mab? Oona?”

Lucius paced the room. “He couldn’t have meant Mab
. She’s dead and Oona is either dead or gravely wounded. I don’t understand it either.”

None of the others seemed to have any ideas. One step forward
, two steps back.

“We need to
cancel the ball. There will be no way I can keep you safe surrounded by that many people.”

“It isn’t safe anywhere
Lucius. I think we should go ahead. Maybe it will push this person into the open so they will act and we can catch them. It might be our only chance.”

“You seriously want me to allow you to be used as bait?”

“Allow?” I better have heard that wrong.

“I didn’t me
an it like that, Cass, but asking me to stand by while you put yourself in danger is asking too much.”

“I don’t want to be bait, but I do want this over. I’
m tired of being toyed with. I’m tired of being scared. I just want this over.”

“I can’t stop you
, can I?” He was angry with me, but not as angry as I thought he would be.

“No, I love you and I know you want me safe,
but doing this feels safer than waiting for the next shoe to drop.”

“I want you with me at all times and
, if I can’t be there, then Dominick or Kael.”

“I promise.”

“I don’t like it.”

“I know, but
I feel safe wherever you are.”

“You really know how to suck up.”

“I do, don’t I?” I gave him a small smile. Putting myself in danger was going to be hard for him; I would make it up to him somehow.

The next few hours were a whirlwind of activity. The council were happy to have something to do. They made sure that everyone knew the ball was still a go. I was nervous. Actually
, I was scared to the point of puking, but I didn’t want Lucius to know. He was already worried enough and I didn’t want him trying to convince me that the ball was a bad idea.

I was out of my depth when it came to planning a ball the scale this one was on. I had planned quite a few parties for Quintus, but those were intimate get
-togethers compared to this extravaganza. I grew bored and the others seemed to have things under control. Ruby would be proud of how they took over all her hard work.

I went to Na’min’s rooms. He was sitting with our favorite little brownie. It
might have been wishful thinking, but her color looked better.

“She is such a strong woman
, Cass. I couldn’t imagine anyone surviving what we came home to.”

“
She is and when she wakes up, we’ll tell her that and how much she means to us.”

Na’min turned away and I think I caught him blushing. I didn’t say anything. It wasn’t my business, but I hoped I was right.

“Where is Lucius?”

“Nailing down the last details for the security tomorrow
night. It’s his specialty. He’s freaking out over every last detail.”

“He wants you safe
, Cassandra. He loves you.”

“I know
. I hate to make him worry.”

We sat together most of the afternoon. Talking sometimes, but mostly keeping a watchful eye over our friend. When I made it back to my suite, which I did with a
three-goblin escort, Lucius was still gone. I took a long, hot bath, ate a little dinner, and slipped into bed. I tried to stay awake, but I drifted off not long after my head hit the pillow. I didn’t even stir when Lucius finally came to bed.

Waking in his arms the next morning brought a smile to my face. I turned over and snuggled into his chest. “I missed you last night.”

“I missed you too, but I needed to make sure you’re going to be as safe as possible. I think I’ve done everything I can. I even gave in and took Trehern up on his offer to lend me some of his goblin guards. I know you like him, Cass, but every time I see one, I can feel them sinking those disgusting teeth into my flesh.” He shuddered against me.

“I know, I’m sorry, but I’ve come to be very fond of Trehern and Maire. They are good
; they were just following Mab’s orders.”

“Mmm. We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one. Once w
e’re up and you have eaten, I’ll gather Dominick, Kael, and Lochlan. If we can’t summon Kael, then one of Trehern’s goblins. We will sit down and go over the rules for tonight.”

“You don’t have to
. I know them already.”

“Really
, Miss Smarty Pants, and what are they?”

“Do everything Lucius says
; don’t blink unless he gives you permission. If you have to pee, hold it until after the ball. Breathing is okay; just don’t get carried away.”

“Ha
ha.” He started tickling me and tickling led to groping and groping led to a whole bunch of fun. We made love and then we rested and eventually, one of us would touch the other in a certain way and we would start all over again. I couldn’t imagine him not in my life. He was mine.

We were roused from a semi-sleeping state by a small knock on my bedroom door. “Your Majesty, my name is Lily
. I was told to come here and help you get ready. Also, Prince Lochlan is here for a meeting.”

“Thank
you, Lily. We’ll be right out.” I whispered to Lucius, “Go out and stall them. I need to have a quick bath. How long were we having sex?”

He gave me a lascivious grin and climbed out of bed. I blushed under his gaze
, then made a beeline for the bath. I couldn’t go to my first ball smelling like a brothel.

“I just need to do your hair, Your Majesty, and then you can go out and stop Mister Lucius from pacing a hole in your floor.”

I had thought sitting through the security meeting was tedious, but it didn’t even come close to sitting through all the pampering I was expected to do to get ready. I was trussed up like a turkey. My dress was ornate and beautiful, but it was also heavy and cumbersome. The corset was tight and my boobs were threatening to make an appearance any second over the top of my dress.

“He is just a little nervous, Lily. Plus, I didn’t think this would take so long.”

“I’m sorry
, Your Majesty. It’s just that Cousin Ruby will kill me if I don’t do a good job. I want to make her proud when she wakes up.”

How could I get mad at that?
“No worries.”

With my curls piled high on my head and a small crown nestled in the middle
, I went to meet my date. He turned as I walked out. He was such a handsome man and I wasn’t the only one who had dressed up for the occasion. His blue eyes caught me and I couldn’t move.

“You’
re the most beautiful woman in any world. I mean that on my life.”

The dress was a rich
red velvet and went perfectly with my pale skin and blond hair.

“My eyes are up here
, Lucius.”

“I kn
ow exactly where your eyes are, Goldilocks.”

“
Let’s go and get this over with before I throw up all over my incredible shoes. This corset is so tight, my organs or hugging each other.”

To my surprise
, Kael and Lochlan were waiting outside my room to escort us to the ball. Kael looked the same as usual, but he felt distant; then again, he was likely getting tired of protecting my ass. Dominick waited outside the ballroom and entered with us. I felt anxious to get this over with. Hopefully, by the end of the night, we would have whoever was behind this whole mess.

The
space was beyond my imagining. Beautiful people dancing all around to an orchestra of fae playing music that could make even the coldest heart weep. Between the colors of the clothes and hair, the dance floor looked like a giant kaleidoscope put to music.

I couldn’t keep the happy from flooding up. It pushed out all the worry and the terror. I looked up to see Lucius with the same goofy expression. Even Dominick had a slight grin. We moved further into the r
oom and the crowd parted before us. Kael walked ahead and Dominick and Lochlan walked behind us.

I caught a glimpse of someone coming out from the crowd. When Kael moved aside
, I couldn’t believe my eyes. “Killian, you’re walking. You look so amazing.” He was standing on his own. His eyes sparkled. I had never seen him look so happy.

Running past Kael
, I wrapped my arms around Killian and hugged him tightly. He felt whole again and, standing in a royal blue velvet suit, he was stunning, even next to the fae.

“Cass
, I’m happy to see you too, but these are new legs. I’m not the best on them yet.”

“Sorry, I’m just really happy you’re okay.”

“I’m happy I get to see you in that dress.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Your
Majesty, I think we should move along. You’re gathering a crowd,” Lucius shouted from behind Kael. I pulled myself from Killian and continued on, pausing to give Lucius a dirty look.

“Save me a dance
, Killian.”

“Of course.”

Lucius took my arm again. “You didn’t have to make a scene, Lucius,” I hissed under my breath.

“Me? You were practically fondling him in front of everyone.”

“Really? I hugged him because I was happy to see him.”

“Could you two please
stop? Now you’re both causing a scene.” Frustration colored Dominick’s voice.

I had been raising my voice a little
, but I didn’t think it was that loud. All eyes turned my way told me otherwise. There was a dais with a throne on it at the far end of the room. We headed there. It had been decided by Lucius that I would spend most of my time here, as it was easy to guard.

People came to pay their respects. I was bombarded by a steady stream of
well-wishers, lookieloos, and those hoping to curry favor. After a while, they all blended together. Kael left after only a few had made their way up to me. He mumbled something and left. 

I was getting bored sitting there
, greeting everyone. It was the same conversation over and over. My only entertainment was an internal dialogue where I imagined what they really wanted to say and more importantly, what I really wanted to say to them.

“Lucius
, will you dance with me? I think my butt’s asleep and I’m tired of being on display.”

He gave me a look, but took my arm anyway
. I knew he would have been happy if I had stayed on my throne the whole night, but that wasn’t going to happen. No one would attack when I was being so well defended. We glided around freely as everyone left the dance floor so we could have it to ourselves. I saw Trehern and Maire watching us from the side. Dominick and Lochlan were scanning the crowd.

“You make me happy
, Goldilocks. I mean, you can be a colossal pain in the ass, but you’re worth it.”

“Gee
, such a glowing endorsement. Thank you so very much.” I leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek. I whispered in his ear, “Do you think they are here?”

“Yes
. How could they resist?” I began scanning the crowd myself. I didn’t know what I was looking for, but felt like I would know it if I saw it.

When we finished dancing
, Killian was there and he took me back to the dance floor. He was as graceful as I remembered. I enjoyed seeing him whole and happy.

“Lucius is giving me a very scary look.”

“Well, he isn’t happy I’m here and I’m sure he isn’t super thrilled I’m dancing with you.”

“I can understand that.
It’s just that I have my body back. I don’t want him crushing me.”

“He isn’t like that
, Killian. He might not like me being friends with you or Dominick, but he would never stop me.”

“
I… I hope you’re right.”