I turned and headed off down the hall without waiting to see if Darynda had followed. I wasn’t dealing with Claire’s shit right now, or ever for that matter. She was inconsequential, and I was glad to be leaving her behind for however long it took to get the relic.
We made it to the great hall when I got my first look at everything that was being prepared to go with us, including the men.
All of the thirteen were here in full armor, as was the Shifter from the throne room where Ryder had given him audience to hear his complaints. There were men running back and forth, as women came in carrying packs. I noticed some of them preparing to go with us—including Claire. I swallowed the rage at the idea of her journeying with us, after I’d thought I was getting away from her.
She noticed my glare and turned on me. “What’s the matter, Witch? Oh, you thought I wouldn’t be summoned to journey with the King?” She batted her brown eyes and lifted her hair from her face with her fingers.
“I was hoping that, yes,” I said, already dismissing her.
“You think he would forget me so easily after all we have shared together?” she continued.
“Pretty much!” I threw over my shoulder as I wound my way through the large crowd, trying to spot the King. She continued talking, but I ignored her bitchy comments easily. Darynda was close on my heels, and was doing a fine job keeping close to me as I sped through the crowd.
“She isn’t going to stop, Synthia. Not until you make her,” she said from behind me.
“I’m not playing her game. She isn’t worth my time,” I replied crisply.
“She’s Fae, and that means if she needs to, she will prove she is worthy of his bed to reclaim his eyes.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I snapped as I spun around on her, narrowing my eyes.
“It means she will turn to trickery or any other means to hurt you, Synthia. Strike first, fast and hard.”
“No,” I said as I shook my head. “I may be Fae, but I’m not into proving who is the better bed mate. Ryder wants her? He can fucking have her, but he won’t touch me ever again.” Having a chat with Ryder’s beast gave me a measure of confidence that I hadn’t felt before. Ryder may think that he had to fulfill that contract with her sister, and Claire could try and crawl into his bed, but I had a feeling the beast would have his own thoughts on the matter.
I turned and caught a glimpse of Ryder, who was dressed pretty much as he was during the Wild Hunt. He wore the heavy obsidian cloak again, and I shivered with the memory that outfit brought with it. The heavy fabric was absorbing the light from the many windows above Ryder, catching it and giving it a colored fa?ade. Under it, he wore the same form fitting black armor the others had on, but the cloak itself was once again tied together with the black studded onyx jewels that held it together. A single red dragon was embedded in the middle of the silver disc that hung from his neck.
Sinjinn walked over to me when he noticed my presence, and held out a matching cloak. His chocolate brown eyes, with the sea green centers smiled as he approached. “Hey, little momma. It is cold outside, so I get to wrap you,” he said in greeting as he held out the matching cloak.
I took the cloak and unfurled it, and almost sighed at how soft the fabric was. I’d felt it before as I’d leaned against Ryder after he’d claimed me in the hunt. I swept the fabric out, and over my long coat. Sinjinn was quick to manifest the matching dragon clasp that would secure it in place. His fingers worked deftly as he locked the clasp and stood back with a smile.
“Thanks,” I said, tossing him a small smile as I took in Ryder. The man was impossibly sexy. He radiated sex off of him in turbulent waves, which washed over my skin.
“Anytime,” Sinjinn said as he stepped out of the way and glamoured on his own cloak over his armor.
My eyes swept the hall. One of the men turned and I realized he wasn’t one of the thirteen, but he wore the armor of the Elite Guard. He had long bright blond hair, and as his eyes met mine, I jumped as I realized they were gray and aqua. It was the guard who had tied me up on my first night here. He winked and wiggled his fingers at me before returning a comment to Savlian. I tapped Sinjinn on the shoulder.
“Who is he? I never saw him with you guys back home,” I said, lifting my chin to direct him.
Sinjinn looked over and chuckled. “He is one of us. That’s Lachlan; he was the one holding down the Horde while the future Horde King was out wearing lipstick and prancing around in tights.” His lips twitched with his words. “He and Asrian are trading duties for now.” He grinned at me as the realization dawned. “Yes, we assigned him to be your guard at your presentation. We figured he was the only one of us you wouldn’t recognize right off the mark.” I shook my head at him. I should have known; Ryder always was one step ahead.