They weren’t supposed to attack her outside of events. But if no one was around to see her wounded, who would punish them?
“I was having a drink at a bar in town last night and I heard the most interesting piece of local gossip,” the Roach said. He pulled out a dagger and tested the point on his ring finger. “A young man was there celebrating being heart-bonded to the woman he loves. It was quite romantic.”
Stella stilled her squirming. He couldn’t possibly know. Only their families knew, and they wouldn’t tell anyone.
“I congratulated him. Bought him a nice whiskey to celebrate, even though he was already a bit in his cups. Then he leaned in close, and do you know what he said to me, Stella?”
Stella cocked her head and tried to give him her most bored look. She focused on the throbbing in her hand.
Rett leaned closer to her. “He said that his lady was delighted to be at the temple at the same time as Prince Teddy Savero and even more excited to see him heart-bonded.” Rett shook his head and laughed. “Now, you have to imagine my surprise, Stella. His Grace isnot exactly the type you’d peg as a romantic. So I asked if he and Lady Grace were happy. And do you know what the man told me?”
Dixon wouldn’t move his hand, so she gave a quick shake of her head.
“He said that was his favorite part. That it was very romantic to see the prince paired with the daughter of Olney’s most famous soul bond. He felt it had a certain fairy-tale quality to it.” Rett grinned. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
Stella struggled against Dixon’s grip. If they knew they could hurt her to get to Teddy and vice versa, they could use that to their advantage in the next challenge. She was certain that Teddy had felt her pain. She needed to get away before he reacted to it.
Christophe rounded the corner with a wide smile plastered to his face. He nodded, and the Roach turned and patted Stella on the shoulder.
“Would you look at that? We have confirmation. Lady McKay has been a very naughty girl, running off to the Temple of Desiree to get a bond.”
Stella’s only saving grace was that she was in so much pain her panic blended right in. They couldn’t know. Especially before the second challenge. She could think of a good lie. It would be fine.
But her hope evaporated as Teddy rounded the tent, his gaze passing over her before coming to rest on the Roach.
“Rett, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Teddy asked.
Rett cracked his knuckles and Stella winced, the memory of her own bones cracking so fresh in her mind that she almost vomited.
“I’m unraveling a little mystery. It seems you got yourself bonded to Lady McKay and now you’re both in the contest together. Do you know what they call that, Savero?”
Teddy crossed his arms. “It’s ‘Your Grace’ or ‘Your Highness.’”
Stella almost laughed. She’d never met a man with more contempt for his title, but he still wanted to pass along the humiliation of making Rett address him properly.
If she wasn’t careful, she might actually start to like Teddy for his personality. She wrinkled her nose at the thought.
“You have a huge liability,Your Grace,” Rett said with a mocking bow.
“It’s an interesting theory, but I’m afraid it’s not true,” Teddy said.
Stella felt his rage simmering through their bond.
“Nice try, Savero. We knew better than to believe the words of a happy drunkard at a bar. But we know it’s true now,” Dixon said.
“The second I snapped her fingers, you winced and found us. I’d say that’s pretty clear,” Drew said.
Stupid fucking bond. All Teddy had to do was not react. It was a broken finger. Stella wasn’t bleeding out.
Rett clicked his tongue in admonishment. “She certainly gets around. Is it that smart mouth of hers, Savero? Is it as good at sucking cock as it is at snarky comebacks? Can’t imagine how else she’d manage to hook two princes.”
Teddy straightened, his hand flexing at his side.
Stella hadn’t seen him look like that before, his eyes full of unleashed fury. An electrical charge passed through the air.
“Careful, Roach. I don’t like when people touch what’s mine.”
Mine. The word sent a shiver through Stella.
