Page 66 of Bounty Hunter

“I’m asking for each of you to help me.”

Rhomi speaks next. “If we do, what happens next?”

Adrian lifts his chin from his chest and growls, “Nadiette will marry Ikar, and Renton will take care of the Tulips. Listen up, boy.”

Waylon nods. “Nadiette’s loyalty is proven by her many years as the royal Head Originator. She can be trusted to do everything in her power to protect the people. She deserves to be queen.”

Drade scoffs beneath his breath.

Adrian lifts his stocky arm. “You have my support.”

Waylon smiles like a cat. “That’s not all, though. I will continue to lend my support and stay in contact with Renton,” he looks at me, “but if the marriage falls through, we will take the High Kingdom, and it will be split equally between the lowkings. King Ikar has shown he may not be fit to lead any longer. If he refuses you, he is ours.”

The reek of mutiny fills the silence.

My smile turns stiff, sweat breaking out across my brow. “Then, I must ensure we marry.” My eyebrow cocks at my uncle in challenge.

“Don’t worry, my dear, whether you marry him or not, you’ll have a high place with the kings.”

Chapter 46

Vera

We stop outside the doors to our rooms after another unique fae supper—this one a much smaller affair which, mercifully, hadn’t included a round of fights or any challenges. I’m wondering if he’s going to try to kiss me again and what I should do if he does. He seemed preoccupied most of the evening, broody even. I’m working for him now, and my rule book is screaming that I should keep a professional relationship. I decide it’s best if I head straight to my room and not leave any opportunities for this forbidden relationship to develop further.

Once we reach the top of the staircase, I keep my focus on the fancy curved handle of my door instead of the expensive fae scent Mama Tina gave him. It’s had me distracted all night. My hand closes over the chilled metal, and I throw a quick, “goodnight,” over my shoulder.

“One thing, Vera.”

When I look over my shoulder and up into his dark blue eyes, I see something I can’t name, but oddly, there are bells of warning clanging in my head. It’s foreign when I’ve always feltsolid safety with Ikar. I tentatively turn around, but confusingly, I would rather dart into my room than linger here with him because, somehow, I am sure the intensity there has nothing to do with the physical. I shift backward and turn the knob behind my back again, intending to tell him that I’m too tired and we’ll talk tomorrow, but he steps forward, matching my retreat with his advance.

“I learned something today.” His voice is deep and smooth. Pensive.

“Hmmm? That’s interesting. You’ll have to share it with me tomorrow.” Or not. Because something about the look in his eyes says that maybe I don’t want to know. I smile and start to turn toward my door, but he steps closer again, and there’s nowhere for me to go but against the wall. He braces a hand beside my head and leans in, almost as if he intends to kiss me. I don’t know whether to feel like a lover or prey right now. But instead of my lips, his five o’clock shadow brushes my cheek gently, and I feel his lips nearly graze my ear. The hint of expensive, masculine scent lingers, and my breath hitches as skittering chills race across my skin. This is torture.

“The fae potion didn’t heal me,” he whispers beside my ear.

I stop breathing. His proximity causes tingles to run down my body, or maybe it’s fear. What exactly is he implying?

“Care to explain? Or shall I do it for you?” Delightful shivers run through my body, though the words should have me running.

I swallow. He waits.

How does he know? My brain screams to run, but my body wants to stay right where it is. Body wins.

“It did.” My voice is too breathless.

He chuckles deliciously, brushes his lips against my neck once, and then pulls away and looks straight into my eyes. Theshadows of the hallway have him looking dark and dangerous and much too attractive.

“You want to do it this way?” He waits patiently for a moment, but I don’t reply. “Okay.” He continues in that deep, silky, dangerous voice that I’m finding I really like. “You’re a Healer.” His eyes search mine, waiting for confirmation, but I mask everything.

I breathe a premature sigh of relief. He doesn’t realize that healing goes with Tulips. But then dread sinks like a rock in my stomach because it’s only a matter of time before he realizes that Originators are never Healers, and my secret will be out.

“Who told you this? They’re crazy.” I laugh lightly.

With his free hand, he pulls something from his pocket and holds it up between two fingers for me to see—the fae potion bottle. My hands shake, and I press them against my clothing so he doesn’t notice. I should have buried it when I had the chance.

“The fae king was kind enough to give me a little lesson on fae potions.” He drops the bottle back in his pocket and steps back. “He confirmed that notonepotion has stayed potent when taken out of this realm recently.” He raises an eyebrow at me, waiting for an explanation, but he’s not getting one from me. Also, I thought they hated each other, and now he tells me he had a civil conversation with the fae king? I’m all sorts of confused.

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