Fool Me Once (Court of Pain Book 1) by Ariana Nash

Author:Ariana Nash [Nash, Ariana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing
Published: 2023-03-02T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Lark

I’d danced for Arin as though it was my last performance, and played the fiddle fearing that chance was also my last. Music was my sanctuary, dance, my soul. And I’d known this night would be my end.

But I hadn’t expected its final blow to come from Arin.

My knees struck the hard floor, darts of pain shot up my legs, and heat burned down my scalp, where Arin’s fist twisted in my hair. And then the kiss of cool steel touched my neck. This was no foreplay. No game. What had I expected? Had I blinded myself so thoroughly to Arin’s scheming that I hadn’t seen this coming? Was I so in love with the idea of Arin’s hope that I’d forgotten who I was and where I came from?

Of course, this had always been Arin’s plan. Why else would he have allowed me to live?

His betrayal burned more than all the other hurts combined.

Screams erupted, the king yelled for the guards, and Razak stood, saying something about a traitor. I smiled, because it was all I had left in me to give.

“Four years ago, Razak, you gave me a gift. You killed a friend, a courtly fool,” Arin said. “And then you sent me another. So, here’s my reply.”

Finally, the Court of Love was showing its teeth. I’d have enjoyed it more if its teeth weren’t in me.

Razak slow-clapped, then laughed. His laugh slithered over my skin, igniting old scars, making them burn anew. I hadn’t seen him in so long, but he never changed.

“I’m impressed!” The Prince of Pain grinned and waved a finger at Arin. “You are quite the performer.” He strode out from behind the table but remained on the royal dais, elevated above Arin and I. He leaned against the table, legs crossed at the ankle, so relaxed, like a snake in the grass.

“Guards!” Albus boomed. “Guards, stop this at once!”

Razak tilted his head.

No guards came. Nobody moved to stop Arin, or arrest him. The king’s commands fell on deaf ears.

The crowd murmured and tittered, uncertain what they were witnessing. If any of them survived, they’d tell their children they were there the day the Court of Love fell.

“I am still king of this court! Where are my guards?” Albus blustered.

Satisfaction brimmed Razak’s grin, and dread sank like lead in my gut. Arin believed he’d turned the cards on Razak, thought he’d won. Arin would cut my throat in front of Razak—a show of strength the Court of Pain would recognize, in the language of blood—and Arin believed that would be enough.

But Arin had made a mistake. He’d played his hand too late, because this game had been lost long ago.

Razak gripped the edge of the table and leaned forward. “Do it, Love’s Prince. Bleed that man’s life from his veins.”

I couldn’t swallow, or speak, and the blade’s edge burned. Arin’s steady hand had cut my skin. But I could still breathe… and my heart still beat. I still lived for a few moments more, precious seconds.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.