Page 92 of Ulune's Daughter

Her smile spreads. “We don’t usually let Mammoths in here. You must have bribed someone.”

She’s referring to the local human college near Cait House. One of the fraternities has a magickal tradition but otherwise they’re as inconsequential as any other human institution.

“I have an inside man,” I tell her, which is true. “Introduce me to the Holly King?”

Kellan glances back at the fae, robed in flowing green, his hair and eyes crimson, the Crown of the North gleaming on his brow. “How do I introduce you?” she asks.

“By my name, Lawson.”

“Will he know who you are?”

I grin. “I have no way of knowing what the Holly King knows.”

“But you know who he is,” Kellan points out. “You recognized him.”

“I have seen him before. He was not then what he is now, but he is similar enough, and I have heard the story of his ascension.”

“I haven’t and I’d like to, when we have a quiet mo?—”

She breaks off mid-word. I turn to follow her gaze.

Ah, the Earth-mage. I’ve seen his picture. He’s tall and slender with a slight thickness to his middle that speaks of too many days behind his desk. His reddish hair is graying in wings from his temples; I’m confident he thinks it makes him look distinguished. His eyes are an earnest brown.

But he is not earnest. He is a liar.

He lies with his words about my mate. He lies with his eyes, which light up when he sees her. He’s not happy to see her. He’s here to wound her. To pick open the scar on her heart that’s still red it’s so new.

He smooths a hand heavy with rings down the front of his blue-gray suit and walks toward her with the hand outstretched.

I move between him and my mate. I take his hand before he withdraws it. He flinches at the prickle of my claws on his wrist.

“Lawson,” I say.

“Uh, Rowan Wright. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Why are you here, Professor Wright?” I ask.

He stares at me, dumbfounded. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kellan duck her head, hiding a smile.

“I’m, uh, here to see the exhibit.”

I nod pleasantly. “Enjoy the exhibit. Professor Wyndham is very busy.”

I turn and offer her my arm. She shifts her champagne glass to her other hand, takes my arm, and smiles at her ex over her shoulder. “Thanks for coming, Rowan. Nice to see you.”

He stares after us, red faced.

“I’m going to kiss your face off for that,” Kellan whispers as we walk toward the Holly King.

“Even if I’m terribly ugly under this mask?”

“I work with the dead. Do you really think I care what you look like?”

“You seemed quite taken with my chest when I was naked.”

She flicks her wrist, swatting me in the ribs. “Everyone was naked and you were not supposed to notice me staring.”

I chuckle.

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