Page 145 of Tales of a Deadly Devotion
Then all three men dropped to the ground in an instant.
I spun round to face an angry pair of midnight eyes.
Emrys.
Bollocks.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Kat
I wasn’t completely certain I wasn’t hallucinating. Worried that maybe there was more in the air than simply pleasure smoke. This version of Emrys in his leathers, as if he’d come straight from meeting Lady Ramsey. Not looking like a brothel patron at all.
Then again … I didn’t know what Emrys would wear to a brothel.
Why was Emrys in a brothel?
‘Can I help you?’ I demanded, suddenly angry enough to feel my flame stinging my fingertips as I untangled myself from his hold. Why was he talking to whatever version of me he saw? And what was he doing declaring that whoever she was … washis.
His dark eyes narrowed for a moment, before a huff of breath left him.
‘I know it’s you, Croinn.’ His fingers curled around my wrist, before he tugged me into one of the dark alcoves. Out of the path of another passing group of patrons. Crowing with amusement as they found the three men sprawled in the hallway.
What?My thoughts felt as clouded as the air before us.
‘How?’ I demanded, looking down at his hand. At the gold band still on his finger. At how my father’s blade had stayed with him all this time.
‘Glamour doesn’t work on Verr.’ His dark brow raised, pulling on that scar at the side of his face.
Of course. I knew that. Well, not exactly, but the myths did say some summoning didn’t affect Verr as they would fey or even ancient fey.
‘Of all the dangerous and reckless things I could anticipate you doing …thishas won.By far. I was absent for a few hours and you’ve turned to …espionage.’ That exasperated crease at his brow didn’t cease, making a delicious shiver run down my spine. ‘And you’re dreadful at it.’
‘You said I was remarkable at everything,’ I countered, suddenly unable to stop playing with the buttons of his shirt.
He ducked his head so those pitch-black eyes met my own. ‘Croinn, sneaking about isn’t your strongest suit.’
I should have been aghast at his observation, however hehadfound me here with little difficulty. I continued to let my fingers play over the buttons, all the way down until I reached the waistband of his trousers.
‘Kat.’ He caught my curious hand.
I felt like a ghostly caress was brushing over my overheated skin. My magic practically fluttering in my abdomen at his presence, making it impossible to stand still.
‘I think something is wrong with me.’ I blinked, thankful he was holding my hand because I was fearful I was about to rip his clothes off. Or put it between my thighs.
He caught my chin, examining my eyes. ‘It’s the smoke.’
‘You seem fine,’ I accused, tongue darting out to taste that sweetness on my lips. Noting how he tracked my every movement.
‘Thatdoesn’t affect Verr either.’ He released my chin, making my lips pucker, but he slid his fingers between my own, trapping my hand from any further wandering. ‘Let’s go.’
‘No.’ I stood my ground, pressing myself against his firmnessfor nothing more than my own pleasure. ‘There is a relic here. The gobrite said so.’
‘Gobrite?’ His brow furrowed, his fingers pressing against my forehead as if I was ill.
‘Orin,’ I answered absently. Only then I shook my head, realising Emrys wouldn’t know William had given the creature a name yet. Maybe I should tell him.
But my thoughts halted as Emrys caught my face between his rough palms.
