Page 66 of Fae Champion

He kissed me again, this time just on the lips, and rose. I watched him dress while holding back the obvious retort:You won’t be able to keep me safe in the ring.

When he strapped on his sword, he stared at me long and intently enough that something stirred deep inside me, something beyond my obvious arousal. But then he was gone, rustling around in his antechamber room—probably strapping on more weapons—before stepping beyond the sanctity of the private chambersand speaking with someone on the other side of the door—the king’s royal guards, no doubt, or Rush wouldn’t leave me alone.

I waited for his return until the sky beyond my windows began lightening, but when Pru arrived to wake me the bed beside me was cold and empty, and whatever unrest had sent Rush prowling through the palace bloomed into full panic even though I still didn’t comprehend it.

19.WE MUST BECOME WHOM WE NEVER THOUGHT WE’D BE

Pru padded around the room, her long dragon feet thumping softly as she drew open the sheer curtains that bracketed the windows.

“I’m awake,” I told her before she could get up in my face and pinch me. “I’ll be up in a sec.”

“Take your time, Mistress. I came early so you wouldn’t have to rush.”

My levels of anxiety surged like dwindling flames fueled by accelerant.

I sat up straight, catching the covers a moment before they revealed my naked body—and what I’d been up to the night before—to the goblin. “You’re telling me to … take my time.”

“Yes, Mistress … Lady Elowyn.”

“Just Elowyn,” I reminded her softly despite the nerves cycling through my body too swiftly.

“Elowyn,” Pru repeated, but didn’t glance my way as she prepared my outfit for the day: lightly armoredfighting leathers and, thank the dragons, comfortable boots. “I knew you’d need a bath after how you spent your night.”

Ah. Of course she knew… “You mean,in whose companyI spent the night.”

“Is … our conversation private?”

I scanned the room for the telltale dismembered appendages. Thankfully, I spotted no bloody ears or eyes anywhere.

“Clear.”

“In that case, yes. His scent’s all over you.”

I slipped from the bed and, faster than seemed possible, Pru was there, holding out a thin silk robe to me.

“Thank you.” I stepped into it as I took in the mess I’d left on the floor the night before—no wonder Pru had instantly known. My gown, with its full periwinkle-blue tulle skirts, sat upward in a colorful heap of stiff layers as if a ghost inhabited it. The icepick I’d stashed behind its wide belt remained concealed there, where I hoped Pru wouldn’t discover it—Rush hadn’t when helping me out of my dress. My spiky heels toppled to one side of it, and my matching lacy underwear draped across the back of an armchair, where Rush had tossed it without looking after tearing them off me.

I grimaced. “I’m really sorry about the mess. I didn’t mean to?—”

“It’s nothing, Mistress.”

“Elowyn,” I prompted for the umpteenth time.

Pru nodded, but her eyes were glazed, distant. “It’s expected after one of Her Majesty’s nights of revelry.”

“Is it now?” I muttered, wondering whether I should ask how the rest of the party went for everyone else. But then, it had been obvious, and…

“Why do I suddenly get to take my time?”

“I’ll draw a bath for Mistress,” Pru mumbled and sauntered toward my bathing chamber. Her steps were … droopy, her usual efficiency and speed muted.

I stalked after her. “Pru.”

She ran her hand under the faucet, turning it on, and ignored me.

“Primrose,” I tried instead.

She rose from the edge of the tub—too slowly—and stared up at me. Her eyes glistened.

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