Storm of Blood and Vengeance (Storm of Chaos and Shadows Book 2) by C.L. Briar & Claire Briar

Author:C.L. Briar & Claire Briar [Briar, C.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-08-30T05:00:00+00:00

32

GREER

The warm, soothing smell of summer-blend tea scented the air as I sorted through the latest batch of scrolls Zaeth had delivered this morning. His eyes had searched the small confines of the library, his shoulders sagging slightly when he found I was alone. I’d lifted a brow in question, but he gave a tight, abrupt nod before excusing himself.

My lips twitched. We’d been told countless tales of the wicked dark fae growing up, but I’d yet to see him murder for sport or even eat a drop of blood. On the contrary, Zaeth remained coolly reserved, similar to Alarik in a way, but with an underlying darkness that spoke of centuries of battle. And, oddly, I wanted to trust him.

It was clear Zaeth was a warrior, all the fae here were, but while a buzz of nervousness hummed through most, he was calm. This was a man who knew himself. He knew his evils and accepted them, welcomed them even. I could see how that might benefit El. At least she wasn’t lying to herself here, and had grown to accept who she was.

Swallowing a honey sweetened sip in an attempt to calm my nerves, I placed the cup of tea on the wooden table as I reached for another rolled up piece of parchment. Ryuu would be here any moment.

As if the images from the cú sidhe attack weren’t enough to invade my dreams, I’d stumbled upon Ryuu sparring with Zaeth the other day. I’d been looking for El, and was happily surprised to find she’d finished training early, leaving the two of them to their own devices.

They moved with a fluidity that was enthralling. Zaeth was alluring, all bronzed skin coated in deep brands and short dark hair, but Ryuu mirrored one of the gods. His hair was pulled back, tied into a knot with a leather strap. A few sweat-soaked pieces had escaped, framing his strong jaw and the dark stubble lining it. Where Zaeth’s skin held tattoos, Ryuu’s was bare, leaving every bit of centuries’ worth of thick, defined muscle on display.

His wings were everywhere, whirling around him to fend off blows. I nearly gasped the first time Zaeth’s blade sliced into the brown-flecked white feathers, but a resounding clang rang through the clearing as the sun reflected against a glint of gold. The barbs hidden beneath had extended, acting as a temporary shield as Ryuu spun, diving in with his next attack. I watched, enchanted, as they clashed over and over again, until Ryuu shot into the air with a taunting grin. Zaeth had only given a quick shake of his head before retreating in the direction of the river with a beckoning gesture.

Before I turned to go, Ryuu’s eyes found mine as he hovered in the sky. For once, his gaze stayed open. There was no hostility or anger, no scowl upon his face that he seemed to secure strictly for my benefit—it was just him, staring down at me with a hint of wonder as his magnificent wings pumped, holding his body afloat.

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