Page 119 of Ulune's Daughter

“When you say, ‘ran afoul’?”

“The how of it is neither here nor there,” he says, smugness filling his voice. “Let’s just say we were at odds. He wished us not to be in a certain place at a certain time?—”

“And you wished to be there.”

He shrugs, a movement that somehow jostles me even closer. His hand slides over my hip, warm skin to warm skin. “It’s unwise to warn a Cait to stay away. It rouses our curiosity.”

This Squire, whoever he was, never had a cat. I could have told you that just from my weeks with Whitey. Push him away from something, tell him ‘no,’ shut the door to keep him out, and he’s ALL over it.

“He tried to make it difficult for us, casting wards above and all around, even below, but you cannot ward the shadows. I left Mags and Dex to attend to his horse while I slid from shadow to shadow, until I found the Squire and the Blood King’s toy. I heard the things the Squire did not wish us to hear. His faith in a woman he called the Once and Future Queen. His belief she would bring peace above and below. When the Blood King’s toy returned to his crypt, I slipped back through the shadows to wait with Mags and Dex, who had done their job well. We laughed together at the Squire’s reaction to his formerly proud horse and then slipped back home to tell my father what I’d heard. He was extremely pleased to learn of a player in the Unseen World he’d previously overlooked and the Cait were able to keep an eye on her, guard her house, protect her, until she fulfilled her destiny.”

I pick up on what he hasn’t said. “And theformerlyproud horse?”

He chuckles. “It was only pink for a few months. The Squire sent a braid of its mane to my father. I think he was hoping Dad would punish us.”

“I’m guessing he didn’t?”

A deeper chuckle. “No.” He squeezes my fingers. “Now tell me yours.”

“Mine what?”

“Your best prank.”

“Mybest prank. What makes you think I’ve ever pranked anyone?”

“Because the Mother made you for me. Crafted you to perfection. My perfect, petty, vicious mate couldn’t help but indulge in a prank or two.”

“Weeell, there was this thing with my friends Rachel, Teddy, and Charlie, and a jar of peanut butter ...”

Chapter37

Trading Tokens

KELLAN

If there’s been a more perfect day, I can’t remember it.

After cuddles and pillow-talk that turned into a nap, I woke up with Lawson between my thighs. With a grin much wider than the Cheshire Cat, he dived in and ate me to a glittering, golden orgasm. While I was still boneless and dazed, he stretched out next to me and fed me skewers of grilled chicken, delicately flavored with lemongrass, sweet green grapes, and slivers of salty cheese between kisses.

When I protested I was too sated to move, he scooped me up and carried me into the bathroom. His antique, claw-footed tub could seat six. He climbed in with me and played with my breasts under the pretense of washing me until I was needy and writhing. Then he pinned me in his lap, his hot shaft rubbing in the crack of my ass, while he took me over and over with his fingers. Half of the bath water ended up on the floor. He held me, twisted, his mouth locked to mine, until I’d given him what he demanded, twice. Then he let me doze through the afterglow in the warm water.

Even if his parents had been the worst ogres in the world, it wouldn’t have bothered me after the cuddles and the snack and the sex. But Cath and Allie made me feel welcome. They met me in their wondrous library: the light-filled, octagonal reading room branching out into eight stacks, filled with Arcana and leather-bound folios that I’ve never seen before, not even in the Strahov Library’s secret Magi’s Hall, which has to be the most complete magickal library in the world. Lawson made me a “reading nest”: on a deep, velvet couch complete with a footstool, a fluffy blanket to go over the yoga pants and sweatshirt—in ruby-red cashmere—that he loaned me, endless cups of tea, and an enchanted pen to take notes. Cath and Allie drew up chairs and instead of asking questions, looked over the pile of Arcana Lawson pulled for me, greeting some as old friends and others as fresh finds.

We talked about the history of the fae for an hour until the whirlwind that is Lawson’s little sister arrived home with hugs like we were already best friends and breathless stories about what she’s learning at Wydlins, the girl’s school that I went to before Bevington.

It was painting our toenails together—hers a vampy red that made Lawson flush a similar color, mine a deep blue to match my fingernails—that reminded me of Rhodes. Brought back that ache in my chest.

I’m as happy as I can remember being, and I still miss Rhodes.

Lawson’s family gave me privacy. Lawson produced my phone from somewhere; I’d completely forgotten about it.

I sit in my reading nest for a long time, staring at my phone. The worst Rhodes can say is that he’s moved on; he’s not interested anymore; I’m too much trouble to pursue. I’ve survived those words before; I can survive them again.

Then why is there a raw hole in my chest that says this is the thing I won’t get over? I’ll always miss him. Always be sorry I fucked this up.

Regret can’t last a whole lifetime. Can it?

I should bounce back faster from losing Rhodes than Mitch or Rowan. We only made love once. Between his swim schedule and my exhibit, we’ve been apart more than we’ve been together. I’m starting something new and exciting with Lawson; he’ll keep my mind off my heartache over Rhodes.

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