Entwined With the Dark by Nicola Claire Page B

life. I knew without the fairy speaking that there would be one more thing for me to contend with before the night was out. Just once, I would like to catch a break. Just once, I would like to have a quiet time with my husband and not think of evil fairies, Dark vampires, Masters of the City, Nathair-Sgiathach and Arthur Pencarrow.
    "On behalf of the Dökkálfa ," Aliath began in a steady voice, almost half of his wine already consumed, "I offer my sincerest apologies, Princess." He paused and leaned forward, placing his glass on the coffee table between us. "Actually, it is my apologies I offer, Queen Sofiq has not sanctioned this visit." His lips twisted in a sneer as he said his Aunt's name. There was no love lost between these Royals. Sofiq tolerated her deceased brother's son and Aliath suffered her cruel reign.
    I took a deep breath in at his words. I was already forming a conclusion to this conversation and I was not liking it one bit.
    "Just spit it out, Aliath. Why are you here?"
    He bristled slightly at my response, then all fight seemed to evaporate from within. I was momentarily alarmed. Aliath was cocky and sure, powerful and competent. Sofiq had obviously had quite an effect on the Grey Lord. I was betting she had practised some of her unique fetishes to punish her nephew for what he was about to divulge. I wasn't going to make it easy for him, I waited for him to say the words.
    Finally he reschooled his features into a more familiar haughty mask and said, as though announcing a formal dinner, "Prince Lutin of Ljósálfar has escaped."
    "Oh fuck," Sergei muttered.
    "I thought I saw that fucker!" Nataliya exclaimed.
    I just sat stunned. I'd come to the right conclusion, but it didn't mean I was prepared to hear it aloud.
    Aliath swung towards Nataliya. "Where did you see him and when?"
    She sat up straighter at his tone and answered in a clipped military fashion. "Outside the Nosferatin's house. Notting Hill. Two hours ago."
    Aliath stared at her for a moment and then glanced at me. "The Princess was in the house?"
    Nataliya nodded in agreement. "I only caught a glimpse of him, I was initially unsure. I think he saw my brother and I, and decided to retreat."
    "You will not be alone for a second, mistress. We will keep you safe," Sergei added, but all I could hear was a buzzing in my ears.
    Aliath watched me for a moment, then stood slowly from his chair. "He will track you, Princess. He will do anything in his power to have you back. He will not be working alone. The war with the Ljósálfar has not gone well." The Dökkálfa and the Ljósálfar had been at war since I had escaped the Ljósálfar Court. The Dökkálfa had aided in my getaway. But the war was not because of that. For millennia the Dökkálfa had been held prisoner by the Ljósálfar . When more Light began to appear in our world, from the joining of more and more Nosferatins, the Portals to Álfheimr opened and the Dökkálfa broke free. They were now seeking their revenge.
    I was merely a pawn in the game. Bait designed to catch the Ljósálfar Prince, a way to hold something over the head of the Ljósálfar Queen, Isoleth. I rubbed my face with both hands to try to bring some feeling into it. It didn't work, I felt numb. Almost like this was happening to someone else.
    Aliath took a step towards me, concern evident on his face. Sergei stood in a protective move, mirrored by his sister. Aliath paused, his eyes, however, never left me. He was running his gaze all over my body, not just my face. It was a little unnerving and my security detail were not in the slightest amused by his perusal at all.
    Finally I couldn't stand his scrutiny any longer, I lifted my face up to his and glared. "What is it? What aren't you saying?"
    "You look well," he said quietly, taking us all by surprise. "But I would have expected you to be showing by now. Perhaps when you stand it is more obvious. I did not look when I arrived." We all stared at him dumbfounded. He