Hex on the Beach by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-06-30T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“Geneviève of Stonehaven,” the king of Elphame greeted as he stepped into the clearing with a group of fae soldiers.

“Crowe,” I corrected. “Greetings to you, Marcus, King of Elphame.”

The king smiled but it was a tense expression. He was put-together as always. If my husband had an older brother who had just slain an army single-handedly, the king of Elphame would be that man. I trusted him as much as I trusted any faery or politician—which is to say that I felt as wary as he looked.

“Be welcome tonight, bride of my nephew.” The king met my gaze. The assembled guards, easily fifteen people, kept their silence. Swords were at the ready, and several were looking far too eager to draw them.

I sighed and dropped to a not-awful curtsy; my friends followed suit. Misty looked around like a drunk at an open bar. Allie held her gun loosely, ready but not starting trouble so far. Sera silently dropped our bags and handed me a sword.

“I seek haven for my friends . . . and a victim we rescued. We were attacked.” I was suddenly hyper-aware that we were bedraggled and pinkish. “We are safe, but . . . there was no way out.”

The assembled guards looked far from calm suddenly. They awaited orders, perhaps a rescue attempt.

“My nephew?” Marcus asked.

“Eli is at home, safe and blissfully unaware. I’d like to keep it that way.” I gave him a wry smile.

“Oh, Death Maiden, I think my nephew has more than met his match in you, hasn’t he?” The king didn’t stifle a smile that looked a lot like a laugh in waiting. “I shan’t be the one to tell him.”

The king stepped forward as if I wasn’t clutching a steel sword, and then the king of all fae in his world or mine kissed my cheeks in what appeared like fondness. I didn’t exactly trust that it was. The fae were nothing if not political.

“Welcome home, niece,” he whispered.

When he stepped back, I motioned to Sera, Christy, and Allie—naming each as I gestured their way. Then I added, “My friends and I were on holiday at the coast.”

“Roisin had mentioned an inability to reach you.” Marcus glanced at the fae guards. “There was a failure to update your travel plans for some reason. She was pursuing consent to forcibly enter the buildings where you were housed.”

“I told you something was wrong,” Roisin grumbled, sounding uncharacteristically human.

“You were correct, Roisin.” Marcus grinned. “Shall we prepare for battle, Death Maiden? I’ve not had a skirmish in quite an age. Let us roust those who have cast insult on my family.”

I tried to reply and choked on my words. “Roust?”

“I thought you said he was stuffy,” Alice whispered far-too-loudly in the silence.

And the king of Elphame laughed as if a grand joke had been shared. Then Marcus looked at Alice and said, “There are quite a few changes in my mood since my nephew has accepted his duty—subsequently marrying the prophesied Death that I thought would steal my throne.

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