Page 12 of The Soul of the Dragon

"Let's say I could help you find what you are looking for. What do you have to offer for my help?"

"My services.” I’d considered what I could offer on the way in, and it was all I had in a pinch. “If you have a need for them. I'm an excellent hunter, and an even better fighter. Surely, there must be something that has caused you trouble.” I fought not to look at Scarface while I continued, “Tell me what you need, and I will do it."

The sly smile that crossed the King's face then told me everything I needed to know. Whatever he was about to tell me he needed, he thought I wouldn't like. Dirty work if I had to guess. But he didn't know me. What the fuck did I have to give a care about in this realm?I barely did in my own.

"That might be an offer I'm willing to take. Provided you can actually complete the task."

I bristled against his doubt. "I can. And the sooner the better. I'd like to return to my realm as quickly as possible."

Magnus and the King both laughed, while I saw nothing funny about what I'd said. But since I didn't fully understand the way of the fae, I would chalk it up to something their kind did.

"Good. Now since you want me to find something for you, I'd like the same in return."

My brows pulled together on a frown. "You want me to find something for you?"

"I do. My stepdaughter has," he hesitated and cleared his throat. "Gone missing.”

Magnus made a sound in his throat that sounded a lot like a snort. I jerked my gaze to his, but he had only a blank look on his face.

“If there’s a child missing, shouldn’t you have everyone looking for her?”

“She’s no child,” Magnus grumbled.

The King glared at his nephew, but they exchanged no words this time.

“Finding her is a delicate matter, one that calls for discretion. Under normal circumstances, Magnus would go after her. But at the moment he is needed here. So, as it turns out, it was fortuitous that you arrived asking for this favor.”

“How long has she been gone?” I’d need to figure out how much of a head start and what resources I would need to catch up with her. If she’d not gone too far I could probably have her back within twenty-four hours and then be back in Scotland in forty-eight.

“She was discovered missing this morning, so she likely left sometime in the night. She probably hasn’t gotten far.”

“So she ran away.” Now I wanted to know why. Although technically it didn’t matter. I had one real task for being here and it’s all that really mattered. A woman's reasons for running from her family were not my concern.

“She has issues,” the King claimed. “Particularly against authority. Her mother indulged her far more than she should have. But now that the girl is gone, I can't continue working on getting her in line.”

The tone in which he referred to the girl made my lip curl. None of my business I reminded myself. She's just a female.

“I’ll need as much information about her that you can give me. Description, what clothes she was wearing, and if I can see her private chambers to get a sense of her. Her scent would help too.”

“Magnus,” he said, without taking his gaze from mine.

“Of course, your highness. I’ll take care of it.”

“That is all then. I don’t expect to see you back at my palace again until the job is done.”

I nodded and took a step back. I’d been dismissed and it was time to get the hell out of here.

Turning to go back the way I’d arrived. Magnus nodded his head to follow him down a different corridor.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking you’ve agreed to, but this isn’t going to be easy,” Magnus hissed as soon as we were out of earshot.

I smirked. “It’s one female. How hard can it be?”

Both Magnus and the guard next to him chuckled at the same time. My dragon stirred with annoyance at being mocked. I was starting to understand why my father didn’t like to talk about the fae. I could feel the deceit rolling off of them with every breath.

But this was my only choice—for now. I’d play their game. Return their little princess back to her castle and then we’d see if they lived up to their deal.

If not, I'd make them regret it.

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