Page 68 of The Broken Elf King
The winter king? He could do that? So quickly? That was simultaneously scary and fascinating all at once. The white stone castle was topped with several inches of snow, making it look magical against the backdrop of the large mountains flanking it.
Half a dozen guards glared us down at the entrance of the gates, and when we passed the people they kept their heads down, not making eye contact.
The market shops were all painted a pale ice-blue and topped with snow, which just made them look almost unreal, like out of a picture. I peered through the glass to what they held inside and noticed beautiful jewelry, pottery, and clothing.
Oh, how I would love to stop for shopping. Maybe another time, when we had made sure that Lucien wasn’t going to kill my fake-maybe-not-so-fake-husband.
Raife pulled the horse right up to the castle gates, where a large warrior stood tall and erect. Fae were not known for their bulkiness, so this man was quite the sight among the others.
Raife dismounted and helped me down, and I instantly regretted my shoe choice. Cold snow bit into my ankles as Raife slipped his hand into mine, that light palm stroke making my heart pinch a little. We were led up the grand exterior stairs and into a set of double doors. The inside was completely stark white and gray. White stone tile lined the walls and floors, and we were led to a large drawing room. The castle was warmer but not by much. The fireplace on the far wall was dead, with no logs in it.
“Clearly not wanting us to feel welcome,” Raife grumbled.
“Cleary not,” a voice came from behind us, and we both jumped a little.
Turning, I took in Lucien Thorne as he stood in the doorway.
He was the opposite of Raife in every way possible: black hair, sharper-pointed ears, gray stern eyes. Where Raife was lightness and healing, this man was cold and unforgiving. Still, I could not deny that he was handsome. His sharp jawline and cocky smile would win many hearts.
“You found someone to marry you?” Lucien said, sounding surprised. “A looker too. Well done.”
Raife’s hand clamped down on mine and I stroked his with my thumb, hoping to express to him that he needed to not get baited into an argument. Lucien was clearly still hurt about Raife sleeping with his girlfriend.
I dropped Raife’s hand and stepped closer to Lucien, extending mine. “Hello, Your Highness, it’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Kailani.”
Lucien’s smile grew wider. It only made him more handsome. “Andshe has manners.”
He took my hand and slowly leaned forward, kissing the top of my fingers for longer than was appropriate.
“I came to talk about official matters,” Raife said as I pulled my hand back.
Lucien’s smile fell then and his eyes grew stony. “And I told you that if you ever showed your face here again, I would kill you.” Reaching up into the air, Lucien made a fist. It was an odd thing to do, so I just stared at him, wondering what was going on, until I heard Raife choking behind me.
I spun, seeing Raife’s face go blue. Icicles formed on his lips, and his breath came out in cold puffs of white.
“Stop it!” I screamed at Lucien, but he showed no interest in stopping.
I stormed over to the king of Winter, and without thinking I grabbed his manhood tightly in my hand. He flinched, looking surprised, but didn’t let Raife go.
“Kill him and I’ll rip your prick right off,” I growled with his meat in my hands.
He turned, meeting my gaze, and grinned at me. I felt him stiffen and grow hard beneath my fingers. With a gasp, I yanked my hand away and he dropped Raife, laughing deeply.
Raife gasped for air as Lucien continued his amused snickering. “Oh, Raife, she is a treasure. You have married well, I’ll give you that. Now get the Hades out of my realm anddon’tcome back.”
I was so relieved he’d stopped choking Raife, but still in shock by the fact that he’d just… it was too inappropriate to even think of! This man really did live up to his bad boy reputation.
Raife stood, still panting, and glared at Lucien, a murderous gleam in his eyes. “I said I was sorry for Lorna, but you never would have been happy with her! I proved her unfaithfulness,” Raife said, cutting to the very heart of the issue at hand.
One second Lucien was standing there, and the next he was screaming as he ran at Raife, fists raised.
I winced as his fist cracked down on Raife’s face, the sound of his bone cracking. Raife reached up and gave Lucien an uppercut to the chin. Then they both went at each other like wild dogs.
I stepped back a few feet, watching as they worked through their issues. A fistfight I could handle. My old house in Nightfall was across from a tavern, so I saw many fistfights on a daily basis. This one, however, was the most passion-filled. Lucien was screaming something about bedding Lorna while Raife suddenly stopped fighting, allowing Lucien to pound into him, hit after hit.
“Stop!” I screamed.
Lucien picked up Raife then and threw him into the wall and I shrieked. They were going to kill each other if I didn’t break this up.
