Page 35 of The Elven Spymaster's Thief

“What is wrong? Did your brother hurt you? Did he say something?”

I shook my head within the cradle of his palms. “Solon didn’t do anything wrong.”

His brows lowered, and his mouth tightened. “Are you certain? Your brother can be harsh at times.”

I closed my eyes with a small laugh. That was an understatement. Solon had the tact of a raging minotaur. “Our conversation brought up some painful memories, that is all.” I lifted my gaze to him again. Awareness tickled my senses as I realized how close he was standing. His breath caressed my forehead as he pulled me into a gentle embrace.

Surrounded by warmth and the firm pressure of his arms around my shoulders and back, my tension eased. My arms came around him as I pressed my palms against his back, keeping him there. I buried my face against his chest and breathed deeply of the scents of contentment, of him. Instead of putting distance between us, he tightened his embrace with a soft murmur. His lips brushed my forehead.

“All will be well,” he whispered against my ear. “You are safe.”

Part of me wished I could believe him. For the moment, I let myself dream that he spoke the truth. For a precious moment, I leaned into that thought and relaxed.

Then he stiffened. Muttering something in elvish, he kissed my forehead again. “Sorry, love.” He strode across the room toward the open door as the sound of voices and approaching footsteps reached my ears. In a smooth motion, he closed the door before turning back to assess me with an intense mossy stare.

The voices passed the door.

“I think it is time you call me Illeron.” His voice was low and slightly husky.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I wish to kiss you again, and I want to make sure it is done on equal terms.”

“Illeron.” I tested the sound of it.

He smiled. It began as a quirk of his mouth, but then it widened. “What do you think?”

I tilted my head to the side. “What does it mean?”

“Secret keeper.” He pushed off from the door and approached.

“It sounds strangely appropriate.”

He shrugged. “My father was a spymaster before me. He hoped I would take his place.” He reached out and stroked my chin. “May I?”

“Will it unbalance our agreement?”

“Only if you object.”

My attention focused on his mouth for a moment, remembering the previous kiss and his wager.

“No objection.”

He spanned the distance between us in a single step, pulled me into his arms, and kissed me.

∞∞∞

Chapter Ten

Illeron

To my surprise, Casimir didn’t immediately confront me about Avril the next morning during his debrief of the events of the previous night’s activities. We stood in my study.

“Blagden brought news from Goring. The southern warlords are making noises about elven infringement on their lands. I sent him to speak with the king of the eastern elder lands and inquire about the enforcing of the treaties.” Casimir rotated his head cautiously as though his neck muscles ached. “Of more concern is the news from the far north beyond the mountains. The Unseelie have begun their wild hunts again. By all accounts, they have trampled multiple fields along the borders of their forest since spring. Of even more concern is the fact young women have been disappearing during each hunt. You might want to speak with the Seelie King and soon.”

Studying my brother, I asked, “When was the last time you slept adequately?”

He shrugged. “I get enough sleep. It is all of this running about that you require of me these days. It is sapping my strength. I won’t object to being asked to sit.”

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