Heart of Stone (Rock Star Fairy Tales #1)

Chapter 58

C h apte r 58

Politicking wi th the Fae

M argot hadn’t thought much about the elusive Lord Tennere. Tobin had told her the rumors surrounding her father—how he grieved her mother and swore vengeance on Lord Rebinus—a revenge that had yet to occur. Margot had a brief spike of fear for her lover, afraid that someone would attack Lord Rebinus and kill Tobin instead.

No , she assured herself. They need Lord Rebinus. Five Lords. A balance of power.

Is that why they’re so eager to see where I end up? Am I powerful enough to tip the balance of power in the f ae world?

It seemed a pretty weak world if she alone could change it. Alick and Kristoff both seemed to think she would join one team or another—though maybe Alick hoped she didn’t—but neither had tried to Claim her themselves. Other than Kristoff’s lame attempt in sending Lawrence, no one had tried to Claim her since the faengs back in Armav. She recalled both Ash and Tobin’s warnings—she had expected fae to be constantly attacking her. But that hadn’t happened.

Am I already too strong for them? Or are they afraid of my father? Or Ash? She recalled Ash’s mysterious announcement and turned around, scanning the room for him. Part of her wished Tobin was there, but she forced herself not to look for his white hair, knowing she would only find Lord Rebinus.

Instead of finding Tobin’s alter ego, she found herself staring at an older version of Tobin, a striking man with the same shock of short white hair, fine features and an aristocratic bearing. He met her gaze from across the room and gestured slightly with his chin, calling he r to him.

That’s Lord Novus, she realized, Tobin and Ash’s father. No wonder everyone thinks he’s not Ash’s father. She lingered by the window a moment, not allowing herself to be summoned by a chin, then slowly headed his way, finding Ash standing among the throng around Lo rd Novus.

As she drew closer, she noted similarities with his younger son. The eyes were the same shape, though not the same color, and the jawline—Ash was swarthy, his chin often dark with stubble while Lord Novus’s face was smooth, serious and blank, a look she had seen on Tobin’s face more than once. Broody rock star that he was, Ash smiled a lot more than the rest of hi s family.

People moved aside to let her pass, clearly getting the message that the Lord wanted to meet her. Margot made a point not to lift her dress as she walked, sure that this man would notice her simple sandals and judge her for them.

It doesn’t matter what he thinks, she told herself, but she knew it was a lie. He’s Tobin and Ash’s dad. Of course you care what h e thinks.

Swallowing, she stood in front of the white-haired fae, dipping her head in greeting and hoping it was enough. “Lord Novus,” she said, “pleased to meet you.”

The Lord looked her over from the hem of her dress to the crown of her hair, a slow perusal meant to unnerve her. Margot had been dealing with this kind of ogling since she first started touring with Stone Dragons. She waited patiently, meeting his gaze firmly when he reached her face. He seemed surprised at her boldness but pleased. “The Lady Margot, I presume.”

Margot said nothing. How long until he comments about me finding my place? She pressed her tongue hard against her bottom teeth to keep herself silent. This was the fae Lord’s show—she was just part of the ente rtainment.

Ash looked between them, clearly waiting for his father to speak again. He didn’t di sappoint.

“So you’re the one who caused all thi s uproar?”

Margot’s hands raised, lifting to her chest. “Me?” she asked. “I’ve done nothing.”

Novus said, “I hear you slayed two faengs on the road after calling down a h urricane.”

“Oh,” Margot said uncomfortably. “That.” She glanced at Ash, whose face revealed nothing, and wondered why Ash didn’t tell his father the truth about who really s aved them.

“Yes,” Novus repeated. “That.” He gave Ash a suspicious look. “I imagine she’s done far more in the last month.” He sighed. “You are what I call a disturbance, Lady Margot. Best to have you settled to stop all this ex citement.”

“You don’t enjoy excitement?” Margot challenged, her anger rising. “Your sons didn’t inherit that quality.” Novus’s eyes widened at her use of th e plural.

“Tobin?” he asked, the name barely above a whisper. He looked at Ash, who remained silent. “You have seen your brother?”

“He’s been helping me with my abilities,” Margot told him, not caring if that was a secret. “Since Ash was otherwise occupied.”

“Your Claimer will help you with your abilities,” Novus snapped. “Tobin has no business meddling—”

“He Awakened her,” Ash said, finding his voic e at last.

“Tobin Awakened her?” Novus repeated. “That is not what I heard.”

“What did you hear?” Margot asked, stepping into his space, her normal manner asserti ng itself.

“Ash!” Novus exclaimed, peering at his son. “Ash Awak ened you.”

Margot scoffed. “Please. Ash is too afraid of disappointing you to even touch me.”

Novus’s expression darkened as her words landed, and he watched a few nearby guests soak in the new information. Margot tried to restrain herself, knowing that in this world, knowledge was power. Fae society was slow and subtle, Tobin had explained. Margot was anything but. “Listen,” she said, “I know everyone here wants me sorted so life can go back to normal—that would be lovely, you know, if my life could go back t o normal—”

“Just let someone Claim you, and your life will settle into what it was meant to be,” Novus int errupted.

“Just let someone Claim me?” Margot echoed. “Do you even hear yourself?” She shook her head, anger rising again. “You know what? I don’t care. I don’t care what anyone,” she turned to face the spectators, “thinks about what I should or shouldn’t be doing. I have no intention of being Claimed. Ever. End of story.”

“Margot,” A sh tried.

“I believe the Lady Margot has spoken,” a deep voice interrupted, and Margot turned to see Lord Rebinus standing behind her. He was tall, much taller than Tobin, and bigger, but standing near Novus, she could suddenly see the family res emblance.

Tobin’s uncle, she reminded herself, seeing the resemblance in the long white hair, the light eyes. Something dropped deep in Margot’s stomach at the sight of him in the light of the room with the night sky and moon behind him in the windows, and she bit her lip, reminding herself that it was only Tobin, an older, mature, ruggedly handsome and domineering Tobin whose voice did odd things to her insides.

“Margot,” Ash tried again, reaching for her hand, but she pulled it back, stepping away from Ash and his father to face the newcomer.

“Lady Margot,” she said simply, dipping into an awkward curtsy, wanting to show Lord Rebinus the respect his fearsome reputation required.

“You reputation precedes you,” Lord Rebinus said and bowed formally, taking her hand as he stood up. “I am Lord Rebinus.” If she wasn’t so awed by his presence, she would have scoffed at the pretense. Many people had seen them talking already—knew they had already met—but everyone pretended this was the fi rst time.

Margot watched him as he brought her hand to his lips, gently kissing the back before releasing her. She became aware of the room again when Ash’s warm hand grabbed hers, tugging her back a f ew steps.

“You heard her,” Ash said. “She wishes to remain U nclaimed.”

“So she says,” Rebinus agreed, glancing down at Ash and Margot’s entwined hands. He gave Ash a knowing look. “Sounds like you may disagree on that, youn g Ashton.”

“Stop it,” Margot snapped, not liking the way he spoke to Ash. She recognized her mistake the instant she said it, the chorus of gasps from the surrounding patrons, all of them silently watching to see Lord Rebinus’s reaction.

He stared at her for a moment, eyes narrowing, and then he burst into laughter, a sound the crowd awkwardly mimicked. “Oh, you truly are a delight!” he roared. “For once, the rumors are true!” He held out his hand to her. “Please, Lady, grant me the courtesy of a dance. I see you have already satisfied Ashton, Kristoff, and Alick. I assume I warrant the same consi deration.”

“O-okay,” Margot managed, peeling her hand free from Ash’s to take his. As she stepped away, Ash grabbed her other hand, fingers slipping across hers. She turned to meet his gaze, and he mouthed, “Be careful.”

“I will,” she replied softly and let Lord Rebinus pull her away from the Stonewalls, following him to the dance floor. The other dancers moved aside, giving Rebinus plenty of space, and Margot reminded herself that she was dancing with Lord Rebinus, the most feared fae Lord. She could not forget that again. He may have been able to laugh off her earlier mistake, but another would be su spicious.

“My Lady,” Rebinus said in that deep voice, “you seem nervous.”

“I am properly awed, my Lord,” she replied, accepting his hand on hers and the other against her back, their bodies moving easily around the floor as the music c ontinued.

Rebinus chuckled, the sound pleasant as he pressed against her. “As you s hould be.”

“You look pretty great in a tux,” she commented. “Much better than the oth er stuff.”

“You love that other stuff,” he said, dippin g her low.

Margot bit her lip, stifling the thrill he raised in her. “Maybe a little,” she admitted. “But this is nice.”

“This is familiar,” Lord Rebinus said, spinning her out and back again. “It’s easy to appreciate t he known.”

“Is this the part where you lure me into the unknown?” Margot asked, tone a little too flippant but definitely in keeping with the way she had addressed the other Lords. “I’ve heard all about your persuasive tactics.”

“I would never charm you into doing anything you didn’t want to do, my Lady,” he ass ured her.

Margot smirked. “Never,” she agreed. “You are a perfect g entleman.”

“I am,” Lord Rebinus assured her and released her from the dance. “Thank you, Lady Margot,” he said loudly, “for the pleasure of your company.” Bowing once more, he abruptly turned and left, people giving him a wi de berth.

That’s it? she wondered. A few hesitant people tried to catch his attention, but Margot decided his brief appearance was far more effective. She left the dance floor, done with dancing with strange men for t he night.