Page 86 of Bride of the Midnight Prince

I lift one eyebrow. “Last I checked, Edvear and I were the only fae you know.”

She blinks. That is, unmistakably, a bolt of fear that just sliced into her gaze.

I silently kick myself. “Forgive me. After what happened to your mother, you must have a very negative view of us. As you should.”

I don’t realize how close she has drifted until her knee presses into my leg. I hold very still, caught in a debate over whether I should pick her up and deposit her back in bed where she should be in hopes that she’ll get the rest she needs—or if I should stay here and wait to see what she does.

“I do hate fae,” she whispers. “But I don’t hate you.”

“High praise,” I murmur.

“I want to hate you,” she clarifies. “I want to very badly. It’s just that the longer I’m with you, the less I hate you. Except when you made me do all those pointless tasks. It wassoinappropriate for me to rub your back!”

The resurgence of that memory brings with it a new emotion. It is notquiteembarrassment, and yet heat crawls up the back of my neck—something I’ve never experienced before.

“Aside from that, you’ve been kind to me,” she continues. “I don’t really know what to think of it. I don’t know why you do it.”

“Because I care about you.” Why would I not care about her? She is a diligent servant who makes me feel less alone in this world away from my world, and she entertains me. I also owe her a life debt. Of course I want her to be healthy, well-fed, and rested.

I can almost taste iron from the lie I tell myself right now.

“Do you?” Her lips quirk slightly. Then suddenly, she darts forward and presses a quick kiss to my cheek.

I freeze, too stunned to react. Too surprised by pleasure blossoming in my chest.

“You terrify me,” she breathes. “I’m always afraid you’re going to kill me.”

Those words yank me out of my stupor. “Kill you?” The idea is revolting to my very core. I’ve killed often, violently, and without apology. But the thought of hurting Nat makes me want to crawl out of my own skin. “Why would I kill you?”

“Because I’m a human. And because I’m a woman.”

I lift one eyebrow. “Those are hardly crimes worthy of death.”

“Some fae might disagree.”

I acquiesce to the point with a nod. “But I am not like those who disagree. I will not hurt you. As long as you are under my roof, you are under my protection.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

She wrinkles her nose. “I’m still afraid of you.”

“Then I will endeavor to ease your fears whenever I can.”

Her weight has shifted and settled, my awareness of her ripping away my ability to breathe. I’ve barely moved a single muscle, but now she’s sitting on my knees. Leaning over me with such a focused intensity I wonder howanyoneis fooled by her disguise. She doesn’t look at all like a boy. Her sharp nose and chin are softened by her freckles and full lips, and the eyes I once thought rather plain now devour my attention. I keep my hand firmly on her waist to keep her from falling.

Her face drifts above mine. Her eyes wander over my features, lingering on my mouth. As though she is trying to decide if she’s going to kiss me again.

If she did . . . I would let her. Great Kings curse me.

“Please,” I rasp, lifting my chin toward hers. “Tell me your name. Your real name.”

“My name is Kat,” she replies.

Kat.I smile. “You’re not very creative with your pseudonyms, are you?”

She blushes, and it pleases me very much.

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