Page 28 of To Sway a Bard
Neo opened the door for her and Zula climbed inside, marveling at the plush seats. She eyed Neo. “This is excessively nice. Why are we traveling by carriage?”
Neo settled across from her, long legs stretched out across the seat. “Oh, it’s so that we draw attention. There’s a particular spot I suspect we’ll get robbed at, and the gang is one I’ve been wanting to catch for a while. Perhaps you’ve heard of Robin Greensleeves and his gang?”
“The man who wears the green hood?” Zula scowled. He was competition and had beaten her out of some jobs.
“The very same,” Neo confirmed.
“Why do you want him?”
Neo cocked his head, studying her. “Are you jealous?”
“I’m not jealous.”
“You sound . . . upset,” he teased.
Zula crossed her arms. “Do you make it a habit? Going around and collecting thieves?”
“You know I do.”
“Is he going to work with us, too?”
Neo chuckled. “No. But he has something I need. Then it’s off to prison for him.”
Zula shook her head. “You do know that you’re the most incorrigible sheriff I’ve ever met.”
“I’m aware my habits are unusual. Is it going to distract from our working relationship?”
Cheeks heating, Zula turned to the window. “It already is.”
“What can I do to endear myself to you?”
“Are you flirting with me?”
“Shamelessly.” Neo’s voice went low. “I thought it was clear.”
Zula shifted in discomfort. “Isn’t it . . . against the law?”
He moved to sit beside her, leaning close. “I’m sure it is, but I’ve never shied away from skating along the boundaries of the law.”
That fluttering began in her lower belly. “Neo—” she began.
“Zula,” he cut her off.
And then his mouth was on hers.
25
NEO
“Ihave something to tell you,” Neo said.
It was later. Much later, after exchanging heated kisses. After their carriage being stopped by Robin Greensleeves and his gang—who had an unhappy surprise as they were taken off to prison. And Neo had taken Robin’s sword, of all things.
“What is it?” Zula asked as they walked down the road, side by side.
Neo noticed she’d been smiling at him, quite often, and his heart felt light, hopeful. But it was time to stop delaying the bad news. “I came to find you because the witch left the jungle. Mymother—er . . . the queen, sensed a mass of magic on the move, headed toward the palace.”
“No,” Zula breathed.
