Page 33 of Blood On His Lips

Damn it, I knew what this was.

“So you're the first,” I said, curling my upper lip just a little. “The first to approach the Prince's new toy to see what benefit might be gained in an alliance.”

Gods, I hated politics. Especially politics predicated on pillow power.

“If I once thought you were my cousin’s toy, I no longer believe it so.” He stared at me, eyes neutral and jaw tight as a sour note entered his voice. “You aren’t going to go away that easily. Renaud has made it clear he values you.”

“I ask again, why are you here? The talks will be over soon, and an official treaty signed. There's no need for you to come to me in person.”

He gave me a thin, sharp smile, the taunt in it emerging as if he relished the offense his next words would cause. “Whether either of us likes it or not, you are now of my House.”

I straightened, resisting an urge to cross the room and sock him in the jaw. “I am Faronne. I will always be Faronne.”

“And now the interests of Faronne and Montague are intertwined.” He allowed a little of his personal dislike to seep into his gaze. “We can no longer operate as enemies. My cousin will not allow it. And while he may showyousome indulgence, he has no intent on taking me to his bed.”

I made a face. “So what, you want a personal guarantee from me that I won't operate against your interests behind your back?” I shrugged. “You know I'm not interested in politics. I'm only interested in the preservation of my House.”

“We have not gotten along,” he said with the air of a male choosing his words very carefully. “And even absent the feud, we never would have been friends. You will have the ear of my cousin, the Prince. There's power in that whether you want it or not. As long as you do not wield that power against me, I will extend you the courtesy of keeping your secrets.”

My fingers tensed. I was armed, and it would be so simple to silence him permanently. The risk he had taken in coming into my territory was monumental. Though perhaps not. Maybe he was banking on my personal honor.

“What secret would that be, Baroun?”

“The one secret,” was his soft reply, “that might persuade him to set aside sentiment and take your head anyway.”

Threat,an inner voice whispered.He is a threat. Kill him.

I stared at Baroun, emotion draining as I sank slowly into a place where I could contemplate murdering him in cold blood in order to ensure his silence. He would not expect it, not from me. I was already experienced in digging a grave no one could find. I did not care that he hadn't meant the words as a threat, that he had approached me in good faith.

For a long moment, I felt nothing. I was not even certain I was still in my own skin.

“So why not tell him then?” I asked, my voice gentle. “Then you wouldn't have to deal with me at all.”

Baroun was very, very still, watching me. “I have no desire to be the bearer of that particular message.”

No, if I were in his place, I wouldn't want to be in that line of fire either. Still detached, I analyzed the subtle tension rising in his muscles. But if he moved, even the flicker of a lash, I would kill him where he stood.

Deep in the well of my power, my avatar stirred, rose. Watched him with cold, dark, sleepy eyes.

“So this is High Court politics,” I murmured, shaking myself back into my right mind. Warmth seeped back into my skin. But I still felt it, pulsing deep in my core. One of these days, I would be pushed into lifting the lid on that well. Or I would gather the courage to do it regardless. But not today. “Getting into bed with your enemies.”

His smile returned, and his malice. “This is just the beginning. Buy a bigger bed.”

Baroun stalked forward, slow and graceful. The amber eyes pulled me in, seething with the kind of heat that burned. I didn’t move as his fingers cupped my jaw, tightened in a mockery of a caress as he lowered his head, his breath on my mouth.

“Remain loyal to him, please him, and you and I will not be enemies. Betray him. . .” His eyes hardened into a silent threat that answered mine, death peeking out.

I snorted, and jerked my head from his grasp, then moved pointedly away from the door. “Your threat is unnecessary. If the Prince ever decided I had betrayed him, he would deal with me himself. I accept your offer, Baroun, and only because the last thing I need is a viper at my back from within my. . .entanglement's own House. But I will be watching. From those shadows.”

He drew his hood back over his head, and left the office, Tereille at his side once again to presumably safely escort him out.

I shook my head. I hated politics.

But maybe this was the first real step to peace. An official ceasefire was all well, but strengthened with our personal alliance there was a greater chance the treaty would actually be worth the paper it was printed on.

ChapterEleven

I slipped outof the house after a few hours of paperwork and headed to Roasted. I managed a visit to my flagship café at least once a month so my employees wouldn’t forget my face.

---