Page 44 of Blood On His Lips

“And that I will support your goals and reserve our disagreements for private.” His eyes were old, knowing. “You think your goals only encompass Faronne. For now, they do. But that will not always be the case.”

“If you say so. As long as we’re on the same page now.” My temper spiked. “And you willnevertake Montague’s side against mine just because they are your House and kin.”

I’d be damned if I had to ever bow down to Baroun, especially if he went tattling on me.

The nail caressing my neck slid down between my cleavage, and then he cupped my breast and squeezed. “Are these all your demands for now? You are female. I am aware you will have many more, once they occur to you.” He twisted my nipple. Hard.

I clenched my teeth on a whimper.

“And in return for my submission to these demands, you will give me your body, your heart, your mind?” He released the nipple, his nails pricking my breast, digging in, drawing tiny dots of blood. “Your soul?”

“Whatever, Lucifer.” Realms, the drama.

“Morningstar was a lack-style bore.”

I didn’t want to know. Nope. Didn’t want to know. “Do we have an agreement?” I paused. “You could always let me go.”

Renaud stood, tumbling me off his lap. I fell onto my ass, but just leaned back on my elbows as I looked up at him. He stared down at me, expression smooth and hard.

“I will consider your requests, Lady Aerinne. You are aware I am not required to do so?”

I held his penetrating gaze. “I am cognizant of your power and authority over me, Prince, and the great indulgence you condescend to show me.”

“Good. And Lady, if you attempt to control me in such a fashion again. . .I will not be so gentle.”

He turned and strolled out of the sauna.

I felt as if, once again, I’d just managed to wiggle out from under an executioner’s blade.

ChapterFourteen

The original squatstone building that now served as a barracks for faculty and students was an example of what happened when you let soldiers design buildings.

Fortunately the architects who had taken over the design and structure of the University as it expanded throughout the centuries had possessed a little more artistry.

Juliette and I stepped onto the grounds, approximately 220 acres including gardens, sporting fields, and the buildings with their graceful spires and stained glass windows. Because the Prince had not wanted to host the faire outside of the city walls for whatever convoluted reason, the University was the next best choice. It was considered neutral territory by both decree and custom.

A riot of color assaulted us. Giant adult toys—fine, rides—carefully maintained over decades, tents fluttering in the breeze and a menagerie of fantastical beasts with their fixed, monstrous expressions. Performers in strange, macabre costumes whirled throughout the crowd to music that threatened to ensnare my soul if I listened too closely—I had just enough human blood to be wary of the wilder Fae dances. Magic and simpler entertainments captured the delight of the few children among us. The delight of the Low Fae adults as well, or else we would not bother with such revelry.

My nose twitched, trying to twist my face in the direction of a delicious scent. “How about we—” I began.

“Lady Aerinne!”

I halted and cringed, then smoothed my expression into a bright smile before turning. “Susenne! Oh my Realms, howlovely.How. . .unexpected.”

A tall female strode towards me, balancing a giant purse—why? I thought that’s what the shoulder straps were for—two lidded paper cups I knew contained scalding herbal tea, and a stuffed wyvern under her arm. . .Manuelle must be on a public opinion campaign again. A faire was the perfect place to pass out propaganda in the form of cute plushies. I’d heard the Prince was riding him hard about disbanding his little breeding grounds in the mountains.

Susenne waved frantically, beaming, almost dropped the stuffed animal and paused to get her bearing, shoving her tinted eyeglasses back up her nose.

Her again,Darkan whispered, malevolence in his voice. Or petulance, more likely. A day had passed since my last encounter with Renaud, an irritating day Darkan spent mostly seething for whatever reason he’d refused to share.

Juliette began to inch away. I snatched her hand. “I don’t think so.”

What do you have against Susenne?I asked him.You’ve never liked her, but you haven’t explained why.

She manipulates you. She attempts to redirect your thoughts and perceptions.

That’s. . .what therapists do?

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