Page 10 of A Queen's Game
“I could insult you instead. You were foolish to go down that dark, abandoned street.”
“My anger distracted me.” Marietta’s fingers tapped the side of her mug as her eyes narrowed on Keyain. “On a normal evening, I wouldn’t have gone that way.”
“No kidding; alone at night, nonetheless.” He frowned, shaking his head. “I called your name at the bar.”
“I heard.”
“I could have walked you back.”
“I wasn’t in the mood to deal with you,” she murmured, blowing on her tea. Even under layers, she could see the strength of Keyain’s arms crossing over his broad chest.
“Look, I’m sorry about Alyck. He’s a good guy, I swear.”
Marietta rolled her eyes. Kicking him out sounded tempting, but the handsome elf delighted her, even as he defended his friend. “I suppose you would think good guys say clip, being from which elven city-state?”
His jaw tightened at her pointedness. “Satiros. He shouldn’t have said it, but Alyck likes to… rile people up to see what they do. It was inappropriate of him, and I apologize on his behalf.”
“Hmm,” she said as she sipped her hot drink, her expression the same. Stupid, she should throw Keyain out and forget abouthim. Why would she want to keep him around when he defended his terrible friend? The slur still pissed her off, yet at least he hadn’t been the one to say it. Keyain grew desperate as he shifted his weight from foot to foot, and gods did Marietta enjoy it. His need for her to accept his apology was intoxicating.
Keyain mussed his hair. “I’d like to take your job offer.”
She lowered her mug, frowning. “You want it? Why?”
“I’m traveling around Enomenos already. We can travel together.” He kept his head lowered but raised his eyes to watch Marietta’s reaction.
“And you’re willing to travel about to whichever city-state I need?” she asked with a smirk, her eyes narrowing. “What work do you do in Satiros that could be so flexible?”
“A security job of sorts. I have a few months off at a time.” He smiled at Marietta’s smirk, lowering his eyes again.
“Interesting,” she mused. Keyain continued to shift under Marietta’s dominant gaze. It was almost too easy. “What credentials do you have?”
“For one, I don’t order my ales two at a time.”
“A great start,” she said, “but Alyck set the bar low.”
“I also protected you tonight.”
“Another great point.” Marietta sipped her tea again, watching him stress.
“I’m exceptional with a sword.”
“I’m sure you are,” Marietta teased, raising a brow.
That damned blush reappeared across his cheeks, causing her stomach to tighten. “You’re making this quite difficult.”
“Is that a problem?”
He paused, his stare locked onto Marietta with furrowed brows and a smile. “No. Not at all.”
“Good, because you have the job,” she said, smirking over the rim of her mug. “But I’m paying you less because of Alyck.”
“Fine by me,” he said, chuckling, “your company will make up the difference.”
“Is that so?” Marietta paused, deciding how that evening would go. She set her mug on the stack of books beside the bed, her heart skipping a beat as recklessness flared through her after the night’s events. The attack had made her feel helpless. Getting to know Keyain more intimately would put her in control. Her eyes snapped back at him, daring. “How about we test your company tonight?” She leaned back on the bed, inviting him.
A surprised smile grew on Keyain’s face as he pushed off the wall, stalking towards Marietta. One of the more stupid things she had done, she admitted, but Keyain was alluring—strong, deadly, and most likely exceptional with hissword. What’s the worst that could happen?
Marietta’s breath hitched as his finger lifted her chin, his gaze burning through her. His lips found hers, kissing with that confidence that carried him as he pushed her onto her back.
