Just to warn you, with the way this is going, I might end up changing the rating. Then again, that might decrease its popularity, so I don't know.
Screw Kirby. I'm not waiting a week.
Roiben forced himself to breathe. How dare that bastard speak to Ethine? He had no right to even look at her! And whatever else he'd done...Although the way Nephamael had put it, she had been doing most of it.
"Your sister has been absolutely begging me to speak to you on her behalf. But that's not the only thing she has been begging me for." That serpentine smile that Roiben detested so much. "She just can't keep her hands off me. Her teeth either, really. I rather think she's madly attracted to me."
Subtle? Not in the least. No, Roiben doubted that word was in Nephamael's vocabulary.
It had taken all the restraint Roiben could muster not to make an attempt at Nephamael's life right then and there.
Even so, he couldn't help but search frantically for a way for Nephamael to have stretched the truth a bit. He was attractive, if cruelly so; Roiben had to give him that...but surely...surely Ethine wasn't attracted to him?
"If you threatened her..."
"I didn't have to," Nephamael confirmed smugly. "She simply flung herself at me. Quite a fierce kisser. Surprising power in that pretty little body. I wouldn't have thought--"
A sharp crack resounded throughout the brugh as Roiben's hand connected with Nephamael's flesh. Nephamael stumbled back, shocked by the sudden contact. There were a few collective gasps from those assembled courtiers gawking at the spectacle before them.
"If you ever touch my sister again, you will pay with your life." Roiben stopped for a moment, forced another deep breath, and continued. "If I hear from her that she truly holds any affection for you, I will question her sanity, and, indeed, her will to live. But for now I can only assume that you have influenced her in some way.
"You are fortunate to have lived as long as you have with that tongue of yours. I have no doubt that it has gotten you into as much trouble as it has gotten you out of, if not more. In fact, I am surprised to find it still in your head at all.
"You may also find it wise to avoid me in the future. If--"
"Spare me your tirade," Nephamael snapped, careful to remain a suitable distance away from Roiben. "I will be sure to keep as far away from you as possible. However, I cannot say the same of Ethine. What business she would have with me is her own, and no concern of yours.. If you wish to resolve the matter, settle it with her. I, however, have nothing more to say to you."
With that, Nephamael turned and stalked off, nursing his wounded pride. To have been humiliated like that in front of his court! Disgraceful, really. If that pathetic Seelie didn't watch his back, he'd find himself in quite a predicament. Perhaps Nephamael would cut out his tongue, simply to prove a point: No one insulted Nephamael without punishment.
Maybe he would even introduce Ethine to his thorns, fill her with his sweet poison. Once she had a taste of that, he would have her addicted for life. He would own her, inside and out, as thoroughly as a man owns his name. That should be more than enough to spite her brother.
He knew he didn't need to do that; she was already writhing helplessly in his grasp. And the strange thing was, he hadn't influenced her in any way at all--yet. She had willingly given herself to him, and he guessed it wouldn't be long before she openly sought him out, this time pleading for more than just a kiss.
He would love to see her burn.