Page 42 of Court of Evil

“I want you to choose your own name,” she snaps, and I recoil. Is she angry at me? “You are a person—well, sort of. You have your own will.”

“Is this . . . my mistress’s will?” I frown, confused.

“Yes,” she retorts, and I frown harder. My old master named me to control me, to use it against me. He would take it away at will when I annoyed him. I have waited centuries for a worthy master after his death. Many have tried to claim me but were not strong enough, nor did I want them to.

Their souls felt . . . wrong.

They craved my power and body, but my new mistress does not. Yes, she wishes to use my strength, but she always wanted to free me. Now, she offers me another freedom. I am grateful and know I made the right choice.

If I did not want the bond, it would have been broken, though what I told her is true—she could claim me, but I have to accept it as well, and I did.

I wanted her.

I worry that she doesn’t want me the same way though. She tasted and touched me, so that means she desires me the way I desire her, yes? I guess time will tell.

“Tem,” I offer. “I like tempest. Tem is cute, I think.”

She tilts her head, eyeing me, and a small smile curls her lips. “Tem, I like it. Okay then, Tem. Follow us, and please behave. No weird magic.”

“Weird magic?” I sit up taller, happy that she likes my name, and she stares at me. The more she does, the more I feel my features shifting and adapting.

I adapt as I am near her, and she frowns. “What’s happening?”

“I adapt to what you most desire,” I reply. “Do you like it?” I slide my hand down my chest, and her lips thin, her expression cold and angry, but I feel her desire in my soul.

My smile grows.

She cannot hide from me, even if she wishes to.

“That is weird magic,” she finally clarifies.

“Oh.” I sigh. “Okay, mistress.”

“It’s going to be a long day,” she mutters as she turns back and stands. “Let’s go.”

CHAPTER 19

“Glad to see you made it back alive,” Shamus remarks as he steps into his office.

Tem sits on the floor at my feet. I could not make him sit at my level. I did, however, get him to wrap a blanket around his waist, though he could not understand why.

He kept asking if I did not like looking at him.

My cheeks are still red from that because damn it, of course I do. He’s the epitome of beauty and he knows it. If what he said is true, then he has adapted to become what I desire, and it’s working against me.

“And you brought a guest.” Shamus smirks as he sits down heavily in his chair, looking at Tem.

I follow his gaze to the man sitting at my feet, one hand snaking along my leg like he cannot resist. When he feels my gaze, he glances up at me, smiling brightly. How someone like him has survived so long, I will never know.

Ronan is right. He’s like a happy, little puppy, just centuries old and more powerful than any other being.

Black strands escape his tied back hair, and his features are wide and strong. His nose is thicker than when I first saw him,as is his jaw. His eyes are bigger but just as black, and his skin is dotted with freckles. He’s huge and muscular and far too pretty.

“You are lustful. Do you wish me to serve you, mistress?” he asks.

“Fucking hell.” I pinch my nose and look away. “No, just, go play with Ronan or something please.”

“Wait, what?” Ronan groans. “I am not your puppy sitter.”

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