Page 16 of Bound By Fate

“This will do nicely, Alpha,” Sandor purred. “I believe I can work with this.”

He ambled toward the door with the clothing, and my voice shot out like whiplash. “Where do you think you’re going?”

He barely stopped walking. “To enact a locator spell, Alpha. Isn’t that what you asked me to do?”

I stared furiously at Aradia, who merely shrugged, open-palmed.

“With her pajamas?”

“I can’t work here, Alpha. I will need my tools and potions—in my own element.”

“Bring your element here!” I ordered.

He finally stopped and exhaled as if I were irritating him. “It doesn’t work like that, I’m afraid. If you want the spell to work accurately, I will need to do it on my own terms.”

I ground my teeth together with such fervor, my teeth hurt, but once again, I saw Aradia’s stare and steeled myself.

“How long will it take you?” I growled, realizing that I could do little but relent if I hoped for his help.

Sandor raised his shoulders with feigned innocence. “As long as the gods will it to take, Alpha. These aren’t things that can be rushed or timed, unfortunately. If you had come to me sooner, surely we would have had a spell by now, but you waited many days.”

He shrugged again, and I resisted the urge to shift and pounce on him, Aradia laying a hand on my shoulder as if sensing my insurmountable desire.

“That will be fine, Sandor. Do keep us informed as to your progress, yes?” she told him.

“Certainly, Madam. Have a good evening.”

He scurried out the door faster than I’d ever seen him move yet, leaving me hyperventilating next to the enchantress.

“Hewas the most trustworthy warlock you could find?” I hissed, whirling around to shove her hand off me.

“They’re few and far between in Ironhelm City. Your father didn’t much care for them, either, and didn’t make it a hospitable place for them to live, if you’ll recall.”

“Rightfully so,” I muttered. “Creepy shysters. All of them.”

“But they’re still necessary on occasion,” Aradia said quietly. “Don’t get on his bad side. We still haven’t discussed payment with him.”

My eyes narrowed, head cocking to the side. “What do you mean, you haven’t discussed payment with him? You don’t know what he wants for this?”

Aradia shook her red strands, the waves fluttering around her porcelain skin, crystalline eyes glittering worriedly. “No,” she muttered. “He said he would only discuss it with you when the time was right.”

I drew in another breath to steel my nerves. I didn’t care what it cost. As long as we found Zephyrine. I was willing to pay anything.

Chapter4

Zephy

The work was grueling, demanding, exhausting. Hanover was a tyrant to work for, his nasty tongue and mean-spirited remarks disheartening. He forbade the use of magic within housekeeping, only to make the employees work harder.

“Haven’t you ever made a bed before? This washroom is disgusting! Are you trying to get yourself fired?” he snapped at me at least four times the first day.

I wished Shay was there to play buffer, but of course, I couldn’t hide behind my friend’s skirt. I was still the same fae, even with a different identity and occupation. I just had to remember that beneath this crisp maid’s uniform, there was a core of steel… somewhere. I just had to find it.

I gave myself a month to collect some money and sneak off in the night as I had in Ironhelm. Transportation was still an issue, but I was working on a plan. Maybe a train when the excitement died down, and I was sure it was safe to travel.

But I definitely couldn’t afford to find myself too attached to Anderlane or Shay. I couldn’t set down roots here when I didn’t like my job or have a proper home in the enchantress-in-training’s boarding house—even if she did make it as comfortable as possible for me.

I felt as if all eyes were on me, all the time, and that I wouldn’t be left in peace forever. Even if Cade abided by the request—which it appeared he had done—my father wouldn’t forgive this slight. I was promised to marry the Alpha King of Ironhelm. Backtracking on this would have consequences for everyone. The kingdom would fall if Cade didn’t find a solution. A blood oath had been secured on the matter. I would need to keep moving forever if I ever hoped to find any semblance of peace.

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