Page 58 of Hunted
“She’ll murder us both,” I whispered into the dark.
Cicely squeezed me tighter.She won’t.She might rage and moan.But she will understand.She is just like the rest of us, you know—utterly incapable of denying you any happiness.
I snorted into his chest, feeling like a spoiled brat.It was a strange feeling, being spoiled.One I’d never really felt until I came here to this court.And I kind of liked it.
Chapter 20
Sadavir
The moon was out, butthe waxing crescent was veiled in thin clouds, a silver blur casting long shadows across the beautifully-tended garden behind The Fox.Herbs of all kinds filled the edges of the lush beds, and the flowers hadn’t died in the fall, the way they should.They reached upward as if they still remembered warmth—the place was clearly watched over by a fae patron.
One would assume this was Cicely’s doing.But while the faun did help out, I knew this place was really Yukio’s domain.The thought of the cold, stand-offish yuki-onna assassin tending his flowers and herbs with such care made me smile.No one in this strange, wonderful court was what they first seemed.And I was thankful every day for the amazing omega who had brought me here and given me a second chance at life.
The ground beneath my bare feet was cold, and my breath misted in the November air, but the circle I’d drawn hummed with primal earth magic—old, redolent, alive.
Ruya stood just inside the entrance to the courtyard.I knew why she was hesitating.She was waiting.No matter what flippant, brash things she might say about how to handle her other alpha, I knew she wouldn’t actually go through with cementing this this bond without talking to her.
Ruya was a vision there, hovering between moonlight and shadow.She wore a loose, simple tunic-style dress.Her feet were bare like mine.Her hair was braided down her back with strands of silver and gold thread woven into the strands.Her aura pulsed steadily in a gentle ebb and flow, like breath, like tide.Like the promise of creation.
Part of me wanted to rage at the delay.To be angry at Robin for being so stubborn and prideful.To be angry at Ruya for being so...Ruyain her patience, and understanding, and tolerance for asshole behavior.But I couldn’t be angry today.Not when my whole life was about to change for the better.
Besides, I had learned long ago that you can’t change someone’s nature.And in Ruya’s case, I’d never actually wish to.Her acceptance and understanding was what made her so perfect for each of us, and so infinitely precious.
I sensed the strong, fiery aura approaching from inside The Fox and rolled my shoulders back, forcing myself to take an easy stance when instinct said to pull Ruya behind me and hiss in challenge.Cicely huffed softly from beside me, giving me a sideways glance that said he knew exactly what I was doing.
“You’re a good man,”he signed to me.
I shook my head.“Don’t go ruining my image, little fae,”I signed back.
He smirked at me.“Not little.”
I chuckled at the obvious double meaning in his words, conveyed by that wicked quirk of his lips.Cicely was utterly devoted to Ruya, and he had clearly made up his mind to get in my good graces so I wouldn’t shoulder him aside with my legendary alpha possessiveness.Not that I intended to do anything of the sort.But who was I to dismiss his efforts?
“So I’ve noticed,”I signed back, winking at him before I schooled my face into seriousness once more.
He nudged my shoulder with his own, and a gentle, hesitant magic nudged at my defenses.Curious, I let my shields down a bit.I was rewarded with a rich baritone in my head, the words laced with friendly warmth.Don’t worry.She loves you just as much as she loves Robin,he said, still looking ahead toward Ruya, not giving any indication that he was speaking to me.But things are more...fragile...with the dragon.Thank you for letting them have this, even though it’s your day.
