Page 154 of This Monster of Mine

One more step and she was inches from him. “Like it or not, I’ve already forgiven you. So if you’d just hurry up and kiss me, I’d appreciate—”

With a raw groan, he lifted her against him, one hand gripping the back of her head. His stubble scraped her skin as he pressed kisses against her wet cheeks, her jaw, her throat, whispering that he was sorry, that he loved her. She reveled in the feel of him. He was here. Alive.

Long moments later, he stroked her hair. “We need to have an election.”

“Plotting already?”

He chucked her under the chin. “Can I convince you to take up a position? You were magnificent. Especially today.”

She shuddered, arms wrapped around his waist. “Absolutely not. I’m happy where I am.”

He gave a wry sigh. “Cato said you might say that.” He searched her eyes. “You’ve done well. Better than your younger self dreamed.” He exhaled roughly. “That was the worst part of it. Seeing the dreams in your eyes, then seeing you on the ground—” He broke off.

“That makes two of us.” She swallowed, clutching him close. “Still, you were very kind back then, telling me how to get to the Academiae.”

“Led you straight to your doom. But you always did see the best in me.” His lips curved. “Trying to make me better?”

She snorted. “I think you’ve made me worse. I set Aelius on fire.”

“I saw.” Interlocking their hands, he kissed her fingers. “Tell me, what do you want from here on out?”

She raised a brow. “Anything?”

“Name it and it’s yours.”

Footsteps alerted her that Kadra’s vigiles had decided that he and his Petitor had had enough time together.

She rose on her toes to whisper it into his ear. “Then be happy with me.”

A slow smile formed on his face. “My beautiful Petitor.” He swung her into his arms to the shock of them all. “That will be the easiest of feats.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Two months later

Sarai spun a dagger in one hand, keeping her eyes on the weasel before her.

“I’m not here to bargain,” she reminded him. “The law’s been revised. You can’t make your Guildspeople work for longer than twelve hours under the table.”

Stones Guildmaster Albanus arranged flowers within an elaborate vase for the umpteenth time. “You know, this is Errigal porcelain.” He indicated the sleek finish. “Estimated at six thousand aurei. It could be yours.”

“No, thank you.” The Guildspeople who kept “passing by” the open window of his office looked relieved at her rejection. One man, who seemed to think he was well concealed in a corner outside, raised his eyebrows. “Two people are already dead of overwork. I’m here as a courtesy. Next time, it’ll be with a warrant.”

Albanus sat up at that. “You lot think you can waltz in and ruin our businesses. We employ this city. We’re worth far more and you pander tothem?”

“Worth far more,” she repeated. Her dagger ceased its spinning. “Worth far more?”

Past the window, the eavesdropping Guildsman smiled faintly.

She rose. “For the last time, I’m not here to negotiate. If Tetrarch Kadra or I hear of any violation, your quarries will be taken from you.”

He smiled nastily. “Try, and I’ll send both of you right back to Death’s door—”

Her dagger shot out of her hand. Light flashed on porcelain and Albanus shrieked as the vase crashed to the ground, shattering.

“Six thousand aurei!” He clutched the pieces, trying to gather as many as possible.

Selecting several, she stalked out of his office and flung them in a nearby bush, nodding to the ill-concealed Guildsman.

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