Page 41 of Dragon Unleashed

“I know, dear,” I say, trying desperately to save this. Tenebrae is one of my father’s most trusted advisors. “I know, and we’ll get you something more extravagant, I promise. But this is sentimental. It’s tradition.”

She gives my chest a shove. “You, Farrell Cuelebre, are the last man in existence I would marry.”

Lorelei pauses for a fraction of a second, her mouth slightly open. Then she shoves me again, and I feel it before I see it: a bubbling darkness just below the surface. Frantically I grasp her fist, closing her hand tighter over the charm. A burst of aether slams into me, an inky black whirlwind of magic that rips out of her and catapults me back several feet until my back slams into the wall. I push myself up. A small trickle of warmth oozes down my back. Great. Bleeding again.

With an unsteadier gait than I’d like I walk back to her. Smiling sweetly, I take Lori’s hand and squeeze it between mine, not letting go as she struggles.Just keep a hold of the damn charm, Lori.Her eyes widen a fraction, and her gaze drops to our joined hands. For half a second I think she’s got it, that she’s understood, but in the next instant she rips her hands from mine, her face blotched red, and her breathing coming in angry little pants.

Hellfire. Doesn’t she know what’s good for her? I can’t protect her from my father if she won’t let me. Why pull this in front of Lady Tenebrae of all people?

I advance on her again. I hope she forgives me later.

“Let’s keep this for private, little princess. I know you like drama, and I have to give it to you—the makeup sex is amazing, but maybe not in front of the Lady?” As she backs away from me, I box her in against the wall, one hand either side of her head.

“Get off me, you arrogant asswipe!” she screams.

Leaning down, I grab hold of her hands, wrestling the charm from her. I press my mouth against hers, hard. She sags against me, her mouth opens, and her tongue flicks against mine. Quickly as my fingers will allow, I fasten the charm back around her neck. The clasp flicks shut in the same moment she slaps me. Hard.

Swallowing the sting, I lean in again. Her tight little body pressed up against mine is going to keep me awake for weeks.

“Just go with it, please.”

Something about the desperation in my voice must finally reach her because she stills. Cautiously I step back, and Lorelei ducks under my arm into full view of Lady Tenebrae.

“Screw you, Farrell.”

My gut churns.

“I hate that I love you,” she yells.

Finally. She finally understands. My beast chuffs under my skin. Her kiss and her words are enough to rouse the barely sleeping monster.

I need more suppressant.

Lorelei pierces me with a gaze before launching into my arms; her legs lock around my waist and I stumble with the surprise of it. She nips my ear playfully before planting a sloppy kiss on my forehead.

“Don’t get used to this, fuckwit,” she hisses before slipping down my body and taking off out the door.

I blow a kiss at her departing back, risking a glance at Tenebrae.

“Well now,” Lady Tenebrae says on a sigh. “I’m not sure that’s the picture of young love your father wanted to see.”

I shrug, ignoring the screaming skin on my back. “She hasn’t bonded further with Chano. I have time. You can see—she’s wild. She loves drama, and to be the center of attention.” My face aches from the fake smiling. “We’ll get there.”

Lady Tenebrae sniffs, inspecting her nails, before reaching for a slim metallic cigarette case. She plucks out a dark cigarette and ducks her head to light it. She lets a small tendril of smoke curl out of her mouth.

“She’s getting closer to the Maverik boy, despite this love-hate thing you two seem to have. Time is running out for her. Don’t get too attached.” She takes another long drag. “At least Camille is more, how shall I put it, moresuitable.”

I hold my hands up and make what better sound like an agreeable noise. She doesn’t need to know, and my father certainly doesn’t need to know, that I’m far more attached to the idea of Lorelei as a partner than Camille.

“I’ll marry either one of them, for the cause. But aether babies would be quite something.”

Lady Tenebrae inclines her head slightly, and with a flick of her hand dismisses me from her office.

She’s difficult to read. How much of that charade did she buy?

I have to do something about Lorelei and Chano. Soon.

Chapter Nineteen: Lorelei

---