Page 9 of Bound By Blood
"Do you want me to swear something about the soup?"
"No. I'd like you to untie me."
This seemed a little odd. Then again, the more she thought about it, the stranger the situation was.
She frowned then, realizing something else. "Why don't you have fangs?"
He scowled. "That's a rude thing to ask."
"I'm sorry. I just—I just noticed. How do I know you won't attack me after I untie you?"
He'd gone down so easily too. It really hadn't been that hard to best him. Maybe he was sick somehow? He certainly didn't look it, though.
"Because I am bound by my word?" He raised an eyebrow, his expression pure confusion. "Is there some other way you would like me to swear it? I swear I won't harm you in any way. All right? Satisfied? Now untie me. This is unseemly."
Her gut tightened. Fae were dangerous. Tricky. Full of deceit. A lot like humans but a lot more clever. Still, he hadn't really been that bad in their conversation. He hadn't threatened her personally once. He'd made a vow.
And—she tilted her head back to take in the night sky.
The cloud cover was intensifying as the moon slid through the darkness. Best get it over with. She undid the knots and then jumped back, ready to dash into the house.
Pushing himself up, he stood.
He really was tall.
He rubbed his wrists as he glowered at her. "I'll return for my soup. Make sure it lives up to your claims."
"You'll be delighted," she said, a little more confidently than she felt. She slipped back closer to the door. "I make wonderful soup."
He grunted. "You realize if I were—" He stopped, then shook his head. "I'm sure it will be adequate, though I'm not convinced it will restore my magic. You're getting off far better with this deal, you know, but don't think I'm doing you a favor. And don't you dare fall in love with me."
"You think I would fall in love with you?" She blinked, then laughed. "I just offered to make you soup to restore your magic so I can keep the dog. I'm not going to marry you. Why would you even say that?"
"Because—" He stopped, then rubbed his eyes. "It's been a long night. I just don't want more complications, all right? I'm not here that long. As soon as my magic is restored, I have to leave. That's why I needed the dog—I mean, apparition—so your soup—" He sighed, then tossed a glare at the dog. "Probably wouldn't have worked anyway." He brushed the dirt from his jacket and then straightened it with a snap. "Until we meet again, human."
He strode away like a cat who had fallen and was trying to pretend that was precisely what it had intended to do all along.
She ducked back into the house, scooped up the dog, and then watched Ryul through the window.
There had been a lot of risks this night. She hadn't been the brightest.
But she had a dog now.
The little pup wiggled and squirmed, licking at her face.
Not really a dog? She frowned, almost laughing. She really wasn't fond of magic, and she certainly didn't know all the ins and outs. But how could this little creature just be something made of magic? How could he be anything but real?
As if he heard her, the little dog nuzzled her cheek. His tail continued to wag, striking her arm as she held him close. He smelled like river water and chestnuts.
"Yes, you're a real dog, for sure," she cooed. "You're a real dog, and like any real dog, you need a good name."
Cute or funny names for pets had always amused her as a girl. And given his appearance, how could she give him anything but a silly name?
"What should it be? Buttons? Noodle? Biscuit? Pickles? Potato?"
He gave a low growl-yip.
What a strange day.
