Page 7 of Bound and Beguiled

“Ahh, thank you.” I smiled weakly, my face flaming as I desperately tried not to imagine them prancing around the Broken Crown naked as jaybirds. “Anyways,” I hurried on, “They’re great. I’ve never waitressed before, and they’ve been very welcoming. I’m just not used to being around people who’re so...flirty. With me,” I clarified.

Mouse raised one thick eyebrow.

“It’s not a problem, and I know it’s not personal,” I held up a hand, then shrugged and gestured to myself. “Just not something I’m used to navigating. Obviously.”

His eyes darkened, but before the silence grew too awkward, he nodded. “What’s your plan, then? You done for the night? Or can I escort you back in?” Sir BurrRuss scrambled out of Mouse’s lap and trotted towards the Broken Crown, barking sharply back at us with their tail held high.

“Yes, sir!” I laughed at the tiny dog and accepted the hand Mouse offered. “I’m ready to go back in, thanks.”

He didn’t speak again until we stepped into the bar. “You know, Mouselet, I’ve been a Rider for a long time. Known the Bwbachod for years. They’re usually pretty standoffish with new people. And I don’t know what kind of nonsense you’ve got in that head of yours that has you so down on yourself, but that,” he jerked his chin at the foursome that was rapidly approaching, dark eyes intense on me, “looks pretty fucking personal.”

I shot him a panicked look, but he only winked, blunt teeth shining in his wide grin.

“Tereza! Are you ok?” Mared asked as soon as they were close enough, pulling me into a quick hug before stiffening and stepping back. “Sorry,” she said, releasing me.

I was humming from the glorious feel of her lush body pressed against every inch of mine—which was even more amazing than I’d imagined—and reeling at the inexplicable idea that I might have misunderstoodeverything, but I managed to catch her hands, stopping her retreat. “I’m fine,” I said, squeezing them before looking over her shoulder into Emyr’s stormy face. “Sorry for worrying you.”

“You sure?” he asked. “I didn’t scare you?”

“No.” I shook my head, biting my lip at the memory of his body curled protectively over mine.

His nostrils fluttered, and a slow grin spread over his face. His abs clenched as he straightened, sliding a hand down Mared’s arm to tangle his fingers with ours.

Efa stepped forward, nodding to Mouse before fixing her attention on me. “It’s getting late. Come. We’ll show you the back rooms. It’s quieter there. You can ask any questions you have, then get home to rest.” She waited until I nodded, unable to speak with her looking right at me, then tilted her head slightly. “Kynan, will you go get Sid? Tereza needs to be keyed to the POS system and put on the schedule.”

Mouse waved merrily at me as I was shepherded away, eyebrows bouncing with unrestrained glee. Sir BurrRuss’s three tongues hung out in doggy smiles from their cozy nest in the crook of his arm.

I glanced over shyly as we passed Kynan, admiring the complex knotwork tattoos winding around his shoulders and down his arms. More bold, sweeping lines circled his muscled legs below the leather kilt he wore, the magic-infused ink coloring both skin and fur. He stood utterly still, expression closed, and wouldn’t look at me.

Regret was a smothering blanket across my shoulders. I’d made a fucking mess out of that first impression. At least I wouldn’t have to wonder ifhisflirtation was genuine, I thought glumly. There was no way he’d be interested in me now. I’d obviously offended him, and I had only myself to blame.

I watched him stride to the bar out of the corner of my eye until the crowd blocked him from view, working up a smile to cover my sigh when Mared raised her eyebrows. It was probably for the best. I wasn’t in a position to pursue anything, and even if I had been...I shivered, remembering how just his voice had turned me into a useless puddle. My mind helpfully drew up images of some of the stories Katarina had told me over the years, replacing the shadowy figures with Kynan’s dark, muscled body over mine. I wouldn’t survive all that.

I glanced up as hands took mine, Mared’s on my right and Emyr’s on my left, as we trailed in Efa’s wake. Emyr’s dark eyes burned, and he brought my knuckles to his lips for the briefest of kisses. I gulped, the images in my mind multiplying and taking on new forms.

Ymet help me.

Chapter Four

The next day, I fidgeted awkwardly in the passenger seat of Sid’s car. When she’d shown up at the house with breakfast for Katarina and me, it had been a relief. At first. Katarina had been mother-henning me about going to work so soon, and having Sid confirm I hadn’t done anything strenuous had been more than welcome.

Then she’dcasuallyoffered me a ride to the Broken Crown, since we were both headed that way. Of course, Katarina was in favor. It was logical. And Sid was justthe sweetestfor offering. No offense to either my cousin or her perfect girlfriend, but I’d been counting on the commute for some alone time.

Not to mention driving my own car meant I had an easy escape route if things got to be too much...or something bad happened.

But I couldn’t think of a way to explain my hesitation that wouldn’t bring on questions, so here I sat, watching the brick buildings of Katarina’s neighborhood give way to the acres of untamed, twisting woods that separated the Broken Crown from the rest of the city.

“Nervous?”

I jumped at Sid’s smooth question and forced my lips to curve. “Only in general. Everyone was really nice yesterday.”

“Good. You tell me if that changes.”

The smile grew easier, spreading to my eyes. “Will you beat up the other kids if they’re mean to me?”

“Yup.” Sid kept her eyes on the road, looking unruffled as she lounged in the seat, one wrist draped over the wheel. The corner of her mouth lifted. “Although from what I saw last night, I could save myself the effort if I just told a few of the Bwbachod about it.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, carrying confusion in its wake. I clamped my mouth shut, looking determinedly out the window as Sid chuckled.

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