Page 12 of A Kiss of Flame

His grin widened. “Admit it—you want me to stay.”

“I want Beatrice back,” she retorted, plucking a stray petal from the bath out of his chest hair. “Don’t get a big head about it.”

Her voice was oddly husky, and Barith’s skin tingled where her fingers had brushed over his chest. There was a beat of silence that lingered, and a sudden urge pulsed through him to wrap his arms around her and pull her against him. His fingers twitched just as Carvatticus cracked open the door. Levian immediately stepped back from him, and Barith cleared his throat. He had to have imagined the look of desire in Levian’s eyes. He’d caught her admiring his physique from time to time over the years, but never with any real lust.

The daemon sauntered forward, stretching his arms wide, not picking up on any strange tension. “I presume all is well and resolved,” he purred, looking thoroughly at ease and oiled after his massage. “How about a night of fun before I leave for Obsidian in the morning, hmm?”

“You’re leaving?” Barith asked.

Car flashed a wicked smile. “Going to miss me?”

Barith grunted, and Car’s smile widened. He leaned over and kissed Levian’s temple, a gesture that made Barith’s skin burn with jealousy.

“A friend of Levian’s is a friend of mine,” Car said. “You’re welcome in Obsidian anytime.”

Barith grunted again.

Levian slid away from Car and glided toward the door. “I’m going for a massage,” she declared. “So please deal with whateverthisis.” She smirked, throwing Car’s earlier words back at him before disappearing into the hall.

Car chuckled. “She is something, isn’t she?” he sighed.

“Aye,” Barith agreed. “That she is.”

“You’ll stay with her for a while?” Car asked, his voice suddenly serious.

Barith looked at the daemon and replied, “Aye. I’ll help her track the thieves.”

Car let out a breath through his nose, and his shoulders visibly relaxed even more. “Good. I was worried I’d have to hire someone to tail her. She’s capable, but even Levian shouldn’t be doing this alone.”

Barith eyed Car. He still didn’t care for the daemon but appreciated that Car seemed truly worried about Levian’s safety just as much as he did.

“I’ll watch over her,” he made clear.

Car smirked, then clapped Barith on the shoulder. “I expect you will, my fiery friend.” The daemon’s gaze held on his, andthere was no mistaking the earnestness in Car’s expression or tone when he added, “You always have.”

Barith was flattered, not that he would admit it to Car. “Aye,” he replied, eyeing where the daemon’s hand lingered on his shoulder.

Car pulled it away and rubbed one of his curled horns. “I don’t suppose she’s told you her plan for the orb?” he asked.

“No,” Barith grumbled with irritation. He’d asked, but she hadn’t yet told him what she planned to do with it.

The daemon made a face, expressing that he wasn’t surprised to hear it. “I’ve got aged scotch in the other room,” he told Barith. “Come have a drink, and I’ll tell you everything I know about all this thief business.”

At this point, Barith felt he probably knew more than Car, but let it be. “Ye know she’s gonna be pissed when she finds out you told me,” Barith said.

Car laughed, leading the way out. “I’ll survive her ire,” he replied. “Besides, she’s the one that wants us to make nice and get along, and she didn’t say I couldn’t tell you.”

Barith smirked, following Car, feeling lighter than he had in ages. “Aye, that she didnae,” he agreed. “I suppose a few drinks couldn’t hurt.”

Chapter Four

London

eight days to return to the horde

The pixie leaned over the table to set down their pints of lager, turning to smile at Barith, her deep dimples, and full ruby-red lips on full display. Levian watched sharply as the pix ran her dainty fingers delicately down Barith’s bicep.

“Need anything else, darling?” the pix asked, her fair eyes glued to the dragon, her fingers lingering longer than necessary.

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