Read Betrayal Foretold: Descended of Dragons, Book 3 for Free Online

initial shock and his dumbfounded condition had vanished, and Gresham approached like a lion to prey.
    Livia noticed the change in him and looked nervously toward Brandubh.
    “Bran,” she said. When he didn’t respond, her voice held a plea. “Bran?”
    Gresham’s arm shot out, grabbing Livia by the neck with such speed, such force, she had no time to run. The veins in her lovely face plumped with the tightening of his grip. She tried to fight him, kicking and scratching his wrists, but it didn’t faze him.
    “Why”?” Gresham grated through clenched teeth and shook her, her legs flailing as he held her off the ground. “Why?”
    Livia’s mouth opened and closed in an attempt to speak. She couldn’t form words. Gresham loosed his grip just enough to allow a hoarse whisper.
    “He made me do it,” she said. “Needed…to get close to you. Everyone knew…you loved her. Would never…be with me…if she was alive.” Her eyes widened, flashing feigned remorse as she whimpered, “Forgive me. Like you…I loved…too much.”
    Gresham shook her again to shut her up. “You’ve no idea what our kind of love was,” he said, emotion thick in his deep voice. He looked away from her and released her neck, dropping her to the forest floor.
    Livia rubbed her neck, a look of indignation spoiling her fine features. Her outraged face morphed, nose and mouth elongating.
    I had time to think, Oh, shit. She’s gonna change. I’ve never even seen her form. And then it was revealed.
    The whole thing was completely anticlimactic. I looked from Ewan to Gresham to Brandubh to the crowd. Everyone stood there, not sure what to think, to do.
    I laughed; I couldn’t help myself. I giggled, covered my mouth, and giggled some more. “A weasel? A weasel ? You have got to be kidding me.”
    “ I’m a mink, you stupid bitch ,” Livia snarled.
    A smile pulled Ewan’s mouth in one corner, though he attempted to hide it by biting his lips.
    Her tough words did nothing to curb my amusement. Tears had formed in the corner of my eyes and I swiped at them. When I removed my hand, I saw Livia heading straight for me. Her lithe, rodent-like form was quick, I’ll give her that.
    She leaped for my face, the intent to claw my eyes out abundantly clear. I grinned, welcoming her attack and preparing to fend her off.
    But before she reached me, her body jerked violently back.
    A putrid smell filled the air. Saliva pooled at the back of my thickening throat and I covered my nose with my hand. As a child, I was sprayed by a skunk in our back yard. My dog attacked it, triggering its only line of defense. Livia’s foul stench put the poor skunk to shame. I was instantly nauseous, my gag reflex working overtime. My eyes watered again, not from mirth this time but disgust.
    “My God, you’re repulsive,” I choked out. “Is that your defense? If you can’t out-bitch somebody, you’ll stink ’em to death. Ugh.” I wanted to say more but the urge to vomit overcame me.
    Livia let out a high-pitched squeal and leaped for me again, but this time whatever had jerked her back wasn’t so gentle.
    Through stinging and bleary eyes, I caught sight of a sleek gray fox with eyes a brilliant shade of gold. A limp mink tail hung from his black lips.
    With one thick gulp, Gresham swallowed Livia Miles whole.

Chapter 7
    O ne problem taken care of , Gresham’s golden gaze swung to Brandubh, lips raised on a sinister growl.
    “You’ve never frightened me, Rowan Gresham.” Brandubh closed his eyes lazily, a silent dare. “You’ve rid me of Livia. Perhaps I should thank you. She was only necessary to help you find Stella, and now that we’re reunited, I really had no further use for her. I have another now.” He paused dramatically. “Make that two,” he said and bared his teeth lewdly in my mother’s direction.
    Bay, who until then had only offered silent support, began to curse Brandubh with a skill that would make a seasoned sailor blush.
    He raised