Page 260 of Fated Mates of the Titan Empire

“I’m sorry, what’s agreed?”

“My final payment.”

“We already agreed on seventy-five.”

“That was before downsizing was taken into account.”

He slowly sat back down.

“Downsizing?” he said.

“I don’t need such large rooms,” I said. “They’re too big for a woman of my size.”

“But you said you wanted the second-best rooms in the house…”

“I didn’t say I wanted them,” I said. “I said they were what a governess of my experience and stature deserves. I would be much happier in a smaller room.”

“Fine,” he said. “You can have a smaller room. You can have every room for all I care.”

I was getting under his skin. It felt good.

“Excellent!” I said. “I’m glad we could come to an agreement.”

He looked exhausted.

“So am I,” he said. “So, it’s seventy-five a week, plus room and board—”

“A hundred.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s a hundred a week plus room and board.”

“How do you figure that?”

“It’s seventy-five a week basic, then a room worth twenty-five. I will graciously downsize to a much smaller room. The previous governess’s room will suffice. So, that’s saving you twenty-five credits, for a total of one hundred.”

Traes’ eyes narrowed.

“What you’re saying is, you want me to pay you a hundred credits a week,” he said.

“It’s not what I want,” I said. “It’s what Cleb needs.”

“And he needs a governess that costs twice the amount of a very experienced one that comes complete with references.”

Had I pushed too hard? Would he buckle and decide he didn’t want me to teach Cleb?

I stood on eggshells waiting for him to make his decision.

“Fine,” he said. “One hundred a week. You must have your reasons for needing it.”

Sure do. One thousand of them.

“But I want your word that you won’t suddenly quit,” he said. “Cleb has had enough people leaving his life. He doesn’t need another one.”

I blinked at that. What did that mean?

Suddenly, I felt bad. I’d gotten what I wanted—well, if I got what I wanted, I would have gotten a thousand credits upfront and be on my way—but ten weeks teaching that cute little boy wasn’t exactly a hardship for me. And neither would having to put up with his grouchy uncle every day.

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