King of Merits: A Fae Romance (Black Blood Fae Book 3) by Juno Heart

Author:Juno Heart [Heart, Juno]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780648744238
Published: 2021-11-14T18:30:00+00:00

16

Kill Her

Riven

The night is dark in Blackthorn Forest, the moon hidden behind a veil of rippling clouds. And other than Meerade’s distant hooting and Lidwinia’s steps disappearing into the thicket of metallic, glowing trees, all is quiet.

A sennight ago, while I was in the Land of Five, a tribe of aggressive eydendric elves, who live beneath the forest, began hunting beyond their territory. Since my return, the druid’s well has shown me many images of them planning an attack on the city. A foolish endeavor on their part.

Tonight, Lidwinia and I, the most skilled hunters in the kingdom, are searching for the elves’ underground lair. We plan to frighten the moonlight out of them before offering to resolve any grievances they hold against us.

As I trek up a thickly wooded hillside, a dull thud sounds behind me. I freeze, searching the surrounding area with my superior night vision. I listen for Meerade’s warning, but hear only the rush of my pulse in my ears.

A loud crack echoes through the night forest. Something moves in the undergrowth.

Silence. More silence. Then another snap of woodland debris.

I close my eyes and use my druidic senses to sift through the deeper shadows, expecting to feel my sister’s energy close by. But, no, it’s not Lidwinia’s form I collide with, it’s something foreign, unknown. Clenching my fists, I hone my focus until I find the thing I seek.

Yes, there it is.

Wrapped in a purple forcefield of unfamiliar swirling magic crouches a cloaked figure only several steps down the hillside, poised and waiting to spring.

Seven hells. My knuckles crack as I attempt to infiltrate the supernatural barrier. The spell at work is strong, impenetrable, and I cannot perceive through it or recognize the being it protects.

Slowly, careful not to make a sound, I withdraw my sword.

I take three long steps, fast as the wind, and then leap, my aim not to kill, but to reveal this creature’s nature.

A scream rips through the air—its tone feminine. Perhaps I’m dealing with a rogue banshee.

The creature is quick and on its feet before I land, slashing a small sword at me. It is weaker than me, of course, but strong enough to put up a decent fight. I step back and forward in time with its panted breaths and harsh grunts.

It repeats my name in a guttural voice. “Riven. Riven. Riven.”

Is this a plea or a curse?

I parry, spin, then slash at the being’s cloak, planning to draw only a little blood. It swears and turns to flee. I grab it by the back of the neck and tug it close as I sheathe my sword and go for my dagger, pressing it against warm, supple flesh.

An Elemental-style sword thuds to the ground.

“Riven.” The dark hood slips back, the cloaking magic slipping away to reveal pale skin and bright green eyes.

“What the Blood Sun? Merrin!”

“Yes, it’s me. I’d appreciate it if you’d kindly remove your knife from my throat.”

Still in shock, I scrape the blade against her jugular vein.

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