Page 11 of Golden Star

“Presque Isle isn’t your home,” he says, not seeming moved in the slightest. “It’s just where you were placed.”

“No,” I insist. “Itismy home.”

“If that’s what you say.”

“Why were you there, anyway?” I ask him. “In myhome?”

“Like I told you, my cat was missing.” A flicker of amusement touches his lips, and he glances at Ghost. “I went looking for him.”

“That’s it?” I eye the leopard—who thankfully seems to be relatively tame—unconvinced. “You’re telling me you wandered into my bar because your leopard went for a stroll?”

“It’s technically notyourbar,” he says. “You don’t own it. You just work there.”

I clench my fists by my sides, and wind rushes through the trees. “That is sonotthe point,” I say, somehow stopping myself from pouncing and trying to claw his eyes out.

Probably because he’d poke mine out with his sword before I could get within a foot of him.

“Then whatisthe point?” he asks calmly.

“The point is that you’re accusing me of being a spy in your realm, yet there you were, hanging out in the town where I live, in the bar where I work. And you haven’t even told me your name.”

“I’m notaccusingyou of being a spy,” he says. “Iaccusedyou of being a spy. Past tense.”

Irritation courses through me, and the water in the stream rushes faster.

Maybe I could splash it at his perfectly smug face again.

But, as tempting as that is, I take a few deep breaths and control myself. Mainly because I don’t want him bringing out that stupid sword again.

I also don’t want hiscatleaping at me and ripping my throat out.

“Fine,” I say. “But you still haven’t told me your name.”

He pauses for a moment, and I wait semi-patiently, not wanting to accidentally say something thatdistractshim again.

“I’m Riven,” he says, and then he tilts his head toward the leopard, who’s still standing close to his side. “And, as you know, that’s Ghost.”

The leopard simply watches me, as if he’s trying to figure me out as much as Riven is.

“Nice to meet you, Riven,” I say, and leopard’s tail flicks, causing me to quickly add, “And Ghost.”

Ghost sits straighter, looking pleased—and undeniably majestic.

“He likes you,” Riven says. “And I trust his judge of character. So, now that I’ve heard your plea, I’d like to offer you a deal.”

Sapphire

“A deal?”I narrow my eyes, still on edge even though Riven’s possibly warming up to me.

Well, as much as a winter fae can probably warm up to someone.

“Yes,” he says, studying me with those sharp eyes of his. “This realm isn’t safe for you, especially if anyone else finds you here. You’re a summer fae, and if anyone from my court discovers you, they won’t hesitate to kill you.”

A chill runs down my spine at the gravity of his words, and I instinctively step back.

“You’re not exactly making me feel safe either, with all the sword-waving and accusations,” I say, apparently willing to test the limits of his newfound warmth now that he’s brought murder back into the picture.

“I put my sword away.” He arches a brow,challenging me. “I don’t intend to hurt you right now. But there are plenty of others around here who will. Which is why I’m offering you this deal.”

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