Page 178 of Primal Bonds

“Talk to him,” he urged. “That’s all I’m saying.”

She bared her teeth. “And if I kill you first?”

“That’s your choice, of course. But I’m your only friend in the court.”

“My friend?” She sneered. “I’d like to see how you treat your enemies.”

His eyes flickered but he stared back calmly until she cursed and released him. Stepping back, she dragged the back of her hand over her mouth in a deliberate gesture.

Wiping the taste of him away.

He had the grace to look ashamed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

“You think?” Her look should’ve fried him where he stood.

Turning on her heel, she strode into the bathroom to rinse her dagger. She shoved it back into her boot and gripped the stone sink, Fane’s words thudding in her mind. If you interest him, he won’t let Lady B get hold of you.

Boredom was a fae weakness, especially with an old fae like Sindre who’d been everywhere, done everything. She’d slit her own throat before she’d be any fae’s whore, but maybe she could use Sindre’s boredom against him. Play his games for a short while and watch for a chance to escape.

Think, Jani.

But even the most Gifted strategist needed data to work with, and there was too damn much she didn’t know. She could guess why Lady Blaer was capturing fada—she fed on their emotional distress—but why did Sindre allow it? And why have her followed? Was it standard procedure, or had he been watching for her—or maybe Adric—in particular?

But anything was better than a cage. To be enclosed like that, trapped and at that fae bitch’s mercy…

Her throat closed up. She gulped several breaths and then splashed cold water on her face.

When she returned to the bedroom, Fane was seated on the wood chair gazing down at his clasped hands. He looked…so alone.

Her growl was for herself. She was not going to soften toward the prick.

As he rose to his feet, his gaze swept over her. She tensed, wondering if he’d try and take her knives from her. She’d beg if she had to—without the iron dagger, she was helpless against Sindre. Teeth and claws would be useless against such a powerful fae.

But instead, he asked something totally unexpected. “Do you have to wear the quartz over your heart, or can you hide it somewhere else on your body?”

She instinctively brought her hand to where it was tucked beneath her sweater. “Why?”

He expelled a breath. “You didn’t hear this from me, understand?” When she nodded, he continued, “Because if Lady B captures you, you don’t want to be wearing that quartz. I can confirm this much—she’s figured out a way to control earth fada with their quartz. You can hide that one on your body, and I’ll get you another.”

Marjani fingered the switchblade in her front pocket. Could she trust Fane? She was still reeling at the big fat secret he’d hidden from her.

But it was true that the fada could be controlled by their quartz. With the right words, a fae could enslave a fada. And apparently Corban had been stupid enough to give Blaer the secret words.

“All right. But I want your promise that you won’t tell anyone I switched.”

“I promise,” he said immediately. “Unless Sindre asks me directly. I can’t lie to him.”

Can’t, he’d said. And something else he’d said niggled at her.

“What do you mean, you can confirm this much? What aren’t you telling me?”

“Haven’t you figured it out?” He eyed her sorrowfully. “I’m under a geas, love. I made a bargain with the king.”

Chapter 15

A geas.

Marjani’s mouth twisted. Fane was bound to the king…had been working for him all this time.

---