Page 43 of Blood on the Ice

Morgana huffs like she wants to make a fuss as she pulls her hand back, but she nods. “So, can you fix him or what?”

Oh, we’re in trouble. I felt it in the mate bond, even if she didn’t.

Just like the two academics, my woman’s fate is tied to these two—and she’s going tohatethat.

do you believe in magic?

From the moment I sensed the dark energy coming from down the street, Kaspar has been trying to get me to leave it alone. I demanded we investigate and when we got closer, I saw the woman helping the huge shifter up the stairs with a worried expression on her beautiful face. She didn’tsee us, but I knew the affliction her friend was suffering from originated in Faerie.

We can feel, smell, and taste the magic of our brethren—which was bad news for the bear.

“I need to come closer and I may need to touch him. Are you both okay with that?” I tilt my head, waiting for them both to consent before I move. “I can sense Fae magic and smell Faerie plants involved faintly from here, but I’ll need a better idea before I try to undo the curse.”

Kaspar looks at them both in irritation. “Which doesn’t mean you can touch him without consequences. Prince Liam didnotaccept a bounty to lay this curse; he has no need for mortal money.”

“Listen, you Great Value Juggernaut, I didn’t accuse the Prince of anything.” Morgana looks infuriated, so I have to muffle my chuckle at her nickname. “And I have no intention of touching him; I just need him to fix my fucking mate, okay?”

A feeling of regret slams into my chest at her words and I realize I was hoping I could get to know her better after this. She seems loyal, intelligent, and fiery—all things I prefer, but often don’t find in the women who want to date the Prince. The bear she’s sitting next to looks ready to keel over, but I’m surprised when he gives me a knowing look then a wink.Does that mean what I think it means?

“You can come closer, Your Highness,” Lucas croaks.

That gets the Dean’s attention, and she rushes over to brush his hair off of his forehead. “He’s hot but also cold? It’s like a fever and that’s new.”

Shit. I hope I haven’t overplayed my hand in offering to help. There are a few nasty curses that aren’t entirely removable.

“Thank you,” I reply as I walk around the couch and sit down on the coffee table in front of the shifter. “I’m going to lay my hands on you in different places—nowhere uncomfortable, of course—so I can get a read on how the curse and poison are flowing in your body.”

“Prince, you don’t have gloves. What if it’s fomite transmissible? You risk more than your own life, Liam,” the bodyguard huffs. “Think, man.”

“I have gloves in the kitchen. Dish gloves, but better than nothing?” Morgana says as she looks at me questioningly.

I nod at her and give Kaspar a withering stare. “That will do, Dean. Kas is being very prudent; however, I doubt touching your bear will harm anyone. I assume you haven’t started feeling ill? If not, by the way your scent covers him, I believe we’re safe.”

That makes her face turn red before she whirls to stomp to the kitchen.

The blond athlete—there’s no mistaking his build despite not knowing him—looks at me and whispers, “I won’t block you, dude. She’s got two other supes sniffing about, and I know how to share.”

My eyes widen and he flops back onto the couch, laughing weakly. Shifters are normally so territorial and this one’s animal is an apex predator. Giving me a thumbs up, especially when he expects others to join, is unusual. Kas, pretendingnotto notice the sick bear or kitchen, catches my eye. My lips quirk—this will be interesting. My guardian hasn’t shown interest in a woman for a while.

“Found them!” The Dean walks back into the room, dangling a pair of hot pink and leopard print dishwashing gloves that make my retinas hurt.

Beggars can’t be choosers, I suppose.

“I wouldn’t have expected such… girly things of you,” I say as I put them on. “More like black with spikes or something.”

Her smirk makes my cock twitch. “I’m a woman of many layers, Prince Liam. Even my weapons have bling; I’m not afraid to be both pretty and deadly.”

Knowing her reputation, I suppose she’s not.

Kaspar snorts. “Did the blade you killed the former dean with have sparkles on it?”

The room goes quiet and I pause, not laying my hands on the bear as I wait to see if someone is going to attack over his tactless bullshit.

Morgana snorts, waving her hand dismissively. “I killed that motherfucker with my bare hands, Fin Fan Foom. Dragons think they’re all powerful, but it makes them slow, lazy, and unprepared.” My old friend’s jaw drops, surprised she not only identified him, but admitted her guilt without a qualm. “What? The trial transcript has obviously been leaked. Who the hell cares what I say out loud now?”

I grin a little, admiring her spunk. “Quite true, Morgana. Now, let’s see about removing this curse before it kills your mate.”

It’s her turn to look surprised, but I focus on running my hands over parts of him, feeling the darkness of the magic and intensity of the power. I sigh as I sense what they suspected is true—there is an element of magic and one of science, though without florafrom my lands the science would not have worked. Once I have a basic idea of what we’re dealing with, I raise my head to look at both the bear and the Dean.

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