Page 89 of Beneath the Cursed Veil

Corvo rolled his eyes again. “Point is, I’ve known since you showed up.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “How?”

His head tilted. “I’m a god. Duh.”

My lips pressed together. “I thought you were a cat, hm?”

His tail flicked. “Semantics. Point is, even in this form, I still have my magic. You and V have matching auras.”

My brows scrunched together. “Matching auras? What, like spirits?”

“Did I say spirits?”

“Well, no, but?—”

“Think of it as colorful smoke that swirls around you. Everyone has a different color—but soul mates are the same.”

I twisted my lips, not sure if I believed him. I mean, he thought he was a god. Sure, he had magic, but that didn’t prove much. Most everything has magic in Faerie. Plus hewas Vareck’s familiar. I couldn’t see a god being a familiar, but what did I know?

I shook my head and bent over to put on my socks and shoes. “I’m not running,” I grunted as I stood up. My legs protested, every muscle in my body begging for a warm bath and good massage. “I’m going to talk to the innkeeper about something to eat and the closest portal out of here.”

“That sounds an awful lot like leaving.”

I sighed. “I need a few minutes to myself, but I’m not going anywhere.” My eyes strayed back to the bed, where the king of Faerie slept. My chest warmed at the sight. I lingered for a moment, unable to help it. A part of me wanted to undress and climb back into that bed.

But that bitch was the thirsty ho that got us into this mess.

Still, I couldn’t bring myself to regret it. Any of it. This thing between Vareck and I . . . it was a lot to take in. There would definitely be an adjustment period. We had a crap ton to talk about given I’m technically a criminal and he’s royalty. But I would be a damned idiot to walk away from this without giving it a shot.

“Keep an eye on him,” I told Corvo.

“I’m not his keeper.” At my glare he added, “What’s in it for me?”

“I’ll ask if they have tuna.”

He perked up at the suggestion. “Sold.”

Shaking my head, I let myself out of the room, taking great care to close the door as quietly as possible. The wood creaked beneath my feet as I made my way downstairs.

No one was at the front desk, but the scent of cooked meat beckoned me forward. I rounded the stairs and followed my nose. Down a short hallway and to the rightwas a small eating area with a bar. I took a seat on a tall wooden stool that wiggled whenever I shifted my weight.

“Good mornin’, ta’ ya,” a fae with a kind smile and crow’s feet said. I recognized the voice from last night. He must be Farris. “I’m surprised yer up already, given the dust n’ all. Anywho, what can I do for ya?”

A blush rose to my cheeks. “You got anything to eat for breakfast?” I cleared my throat, and Farris quickly poured a glass of water from a bronze tap and slid it across the counter. I murmured my thanks, taking a long sip.

“I got pan-fried venison and roast potatoes.”

My stomach rumbled. “That sounds great.”

He nodded once, looking me over. “Should I be gettin’ one plate or two?”

I hesitated. “Two would be good. Is it okay if I take them back to my room? My . . . boyfriend is still asleep.” Boyfriend felt too casual a word for what we were, but mate was too intense, if true.

Farris quirked a smile and gave me a friendly wink. “Gimme a few.” He disappeared behind a curtain to where the sizzling of a pan was coming from.

The stool beside me scraped against the hardwood. I jerked at the sudden noise. The small room was empty, save for me and Farris. Maybe Vareck had woken to?—

The thought stopped in its tracks. Fury rose inside me, clouding out any other feeling beneath its heavy weight.

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