Page 29 of Rogue's Possession (Covenant of Thorns 2)

Despite my stubborn nature, I really hated having Rogue mad at me. Or anyone, for that matter. I had to stop myself from reaching out to soothe him, to get him to smile at me again, with that affectionate charm. I had to keep reminding myself it wasn’t wrong to adhere to my own standards.

Even if he was pouting.

By the time the feast ended, Rogue had negotiated the generals down to three pivotal battles, to be named. Everyone seemed pleased. Given that he bargained with the skill of a long-scam con artist, Rogue could elicit the best deal for him and make people delighted to give it to him. And I was happy to let him handle it.

Finally, he decorously assisted me to my feet and then ran a long-fingered hand down my back to rest on my hip. The sun was slanting to afternoon. We said cheery goodbyes—the truth in mine fueled by my intense relief at finally getting to leave—and strolled out on the acid-green grass with Larch in the lead. I’m sure we looked for all the world like a happy couple with their faithful page.

“I should take you away right this instant,” Rogue said, in a silky tone, “tie you to my bed so you can’t move and teach you better uses for that clever tongue.”

“Now you sound like Falcon,” I retorted. Larch gave no indication he’d overheard.

“Have a care, foolish Gwynn—you have pushed me far indeed.”

No surprises there. I contemplated apologizing, but what exactly would I be sorry for?

“I’m sorry I made you angry,” I finally offered. “It was not my intention.”

“You do realize those humans care nothing for your fate? They are not the people you left behind. These are little better than animals—grubbing among themselves for the least crumb of advantage. The soldiers here may admire you, but in the villages they would burn you alive for bearing the taint of Faerie magic.”

“I’ll take that under advisement.”

“Which means you will ignore my cautions, as always.” His own magic churned around him, sending out seeking tendrils, threads of cobalt edged in black. “I shall bid you farewell until tonight. I trust Larch will lead you back to your tent.”

Since I was saved from having to explain, yet again, that I only disregarded Rogue’s cautions because I couldn’t tell them from his attempts to corral me, I did not point out that I could find my own damn tent and that maybe I had other places to go.

He faced me and cupped the back of my neck, rubbing it so that the tension there faded. His eyes had darkened to nearly black, and the pattern on his face seemed to pulse, a sign that the Dog welled near the surface.

“I shall ask you to make this up to me tonight, my rash and beautiful Gwynn. Be prepared for that.” The words sparked a startling surge of lust, my sex suddenly aching. He smiled, knowingly. “Wine and roses.”

He released my neck and flicked a flower earring, sending an extra pulse of sensation through my nerves. Then he dissolved into thin air.

“Dammit—he didn’t tell me how to take these off again,” I groused to no one, since Larch was waiting, patient as a garden gnome, a short distance away. Tugging at them, I found, only made them clamp tighter, changing their light tickle to outright pain. I calmed myself and wished them away. No change. Didn’t that just figure. I headed toward the tent.

“Where are you going, Lady Sorceress?” Larch inquired, ever so politely.

Well, I hadthoughtI could find my own tent. “Isn’t it this way?”

“Yes, but you are late for your self-defense lesson.”

“I’m pretty sure those are canceled now.”

Larch’s face fell, his features crushed with disappointment. “You would break your vow to me?”

Well, shit. One of these days I’d learn to quit carelessly promising things, like that I’d learn how to defend myself if Larch would just give me a moment’s peace. Unfortunately, I’d nearly had a fling with my instructor, the handsome Officer Liam, which had come to a nasty end when Rogue found out. All I needed to round out this fabulous day would be an unpleasant encounter with the almost-lover scorned. No choice there.

“Okay, fine. But I’m not exactly dressed for it, I don’t have my weapons and I’m quite certain Liam won’t be there.

“You can alter your garments easily enough, powerful as you are, Lady Sorceress, and I shall send someone for your weapons.” With that, he trotted in the lead, whistling such a merry tune that I suspected the crestfallen look had been an Oscar-worthy acting job.

To my great chagrin, Officer Liam was waiting at the practice ring and clearly had been for some time. He squinted at me and then at the sun, bronze curls gleaming. “You’re late.”

I gestured to my dress. “I was otherwise engaged. Command performance.”

A gaggle of dragonfly girls dashed up, carrying my sun-and-moon wheels and my three-foot stick. It seemed I was doing this.

“You’ll have to show more commitment than this, if you hope to accomplish anything.” His tone was fine, but the words barbed. Seemed like an awful lot of people wanted to tell me what to do today.

“Aren’t I paying you?” I asked him in my best lady-of-the-manor voice. If there was to be distance between us, I wanted it my way.

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