Page 12 of Wolf Queen Ruin
I ran a hand through my hair, thinking quickly.As much as I hated to admit it, his suggestion made sense.Romantic partners—even those in arranged relationships—would be expected to arrive together, stay close, and have private conversations.It would give us freedom of movement that separate covers might not.
“Fine,” I said.“But we’re an arranged match.Strictly business.Absolutely no lovey-dovey shit.”
“Agreed,” Damien said, looking faintly amused at my vehemence.“Though convincing everyone else might require some basic displays of comfort with each other’s presence.”
Cool, cool.So I’d just signed up to play house with a total stranger.
“We have three days to prepare,” I said, refusing to dwell on the implications.“Let’s focus on learning everything we can about Selene, her guests, and the security we’ll be facing.”
“A sensible approach,” Damien said.“I’d like to also suggest we allocate time for you to learn basic etiquette appropriate to supernatural high society.The wrong fork could give you away faster than any security check.”
I glared at him.“I know which fork to use.”
He shook his head with a rueful smile.“Do you know the proper greeting for an Elder of the Third House of Night?Or how to accept a drink from a Fae Lord without binding yourself to unwanted obligations?Or the correct response when a Crone of the Western Covens offers you her hand?”
My glare intensified.“You have spent too much time at fancy supernatural parties.”
“I’ve spent enough time with those species to know they’re dangerous for the unprepared,” he said, his tone free of condescension.“Breaking social protocols in that world can have consequences far beyond mere embarrassment.”
“Fine.Etiquette lessons,” I conceded with a weary sigh.“But first, I need some sushi.Stat.”
We gathered our things and said goodbye to Felix, with a promise from Damien to reschedule the Bibliophiles Geek Out meeting.Damien’s actual words, to which Felix only blinked at.
I admit that made me laugh.
“See you tomorrow,” I told Damien.
“I’ll accompany you,” he insisted, holding the Repository door open.
“I don’t need a partner for eating,” I said with a shake of my head.“Besides, I eat sushi like a rabid squirrel.Chopsticks optional, dignity nonexistent.No one needs to witness that.”
Damien scratched the back of his neck, his eyebrows raised.“So glad I get to teach you etiquette lessons.”
Smiling, I slapped him on his hard, muscular chest on my way out.“Good luck, big guy.”
As we stepped out into the New Orleans evening, the humid air sticking my clothes to my skin within seconds, I found myself wondering which would be harder—infiltrating Selene’s heavily guarded mansion or convincing anyone that Damien Cross and I could possibly be a couple.
Either way, we had three days to pull off the impossible.
No pressure.
Chapter four
Luna
Onmywaybackto my apartment inside the Repository, I hit the button on my earpiece I almost always wore.
“You there, Jade?”
“Well, I’ve got to be somewhere, but yeah, there will do.”
“So, I’ve got news.I’m going to a fancy party.Apparently, Damien and I are going to pretend to be engaged.”
“Oh…pretend… Riiiiight…”
“Hush.He looks at me like I’m exasperating most of the time.Pretty sure he can’t stand me.”
“Hmm, I feel like I’ve heard all this before?Yeah.Yeah, I have.Remember your ex?”
