“Dominique’s family if they try to use a potion or spell to control either one of us. Like they did this morning.”
He released one of Dominique’s arms, using his hold on the other to tuck her into his side, and turned to face the cook and the woman who’d taught him everything he needed to know about being invisible while spying on others. She’d also taught him how to make basic food so he wouldn’t starve when he ran away to the human realm, saying that just because he could afford servants or order takeout every night didn’t mean he should.
The cook placed a tray laden with food on her desk. A large platter held meats, cheeses, dried and fresh fruits, and slices of toast smeared with rich, homemade butter. A pot that surely held tea sat next to two thick white mugs. It was the breakfast of a farmer or peasant and one of his favorite meals when he was in the castle.
Dominique pulled away from him, settling into a low, tufted chair next to the rustic table that served as Jessel’s desk. Ronan took the hard wooden stool next to her, intentionally shoving it closer to her chair and didn’t miss the piercing stare she shot his way.
Biting back a smile, he looked back toward Jessel. She was studying both of them intently. “What do you need from me?” she asked.
This was the real reason that Ronan brought Dominique down to the kitchens.
“Be watchful. Someone here in the kitchens tampered with Dominique’s breakfast. They might attempt to do so again. Or they may decide to skip her and come directly at me.”
“So, this is because of you?” Jessel asked him.
“Yes and no. Dominique’s family has been trying to marry one of their two oldest daughters off to me for years now. Not because they want her to be protected or to achieve royal status, but because they believe they can turn me into their puppet using magic and drugging me with herbs.”
Jessel snorted, rolling her eyes. “Obviously, they have no clue how pig-headed you are. Magic wouldn’t hold you for long, and drugs wouldn’t last more than a few hours, and that’s if they could get past your guard to do it.”
“Both of you talk about this as though it’s nothing more than an inconvenience rather than people who are willing to do horrible things to gain control of this kingdom,” Dominique stated. Her voice was quiet, but frost practically dripped from each word.
Ronan and Jessel looked toward her. Her back was rigid, and her eyes were the same brilliant blue they became when she was upset. Her hands gave her away, though. Dominique twisted her fingers together so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
“Lady Proxa,” Jessel began. “I trained the prince myself. He is nearly impossible to sneak up on.”
“And what training did you have to make you so knowledgeable?”
The words held no sarcasm, only genuine curiosity. Ronan heard the stress in her tone and wondered if she was actually beginning to like him. Otherwise, why would she be so upset?
Jessel must have heard the same because she normally would have ignored a question like that. Or the person asking would have woken up on the floor, wondering if they’d been kicked in the face by a mule. The cook might be aging, but she still packed a powerful punch.
“I’m a founding member of the Brotherhood of the Dagger. I taught Ronan everything I know.”
He heard Dominique swallow hard next to him. The Brotherhood of the Dagger was the covert branch of the King’s Guard. They were spies and assassins, and they were both renowned and feared by the entire fae realm.
Dominique’s eyes shifted to Ronan, who nodded. He watched as some of the tension faded from her expression. It struck himthat she truly had been worried for his safety as much as she had been her own. Even after the way he…
He wouldn’t let his mind go down that road. What was done was done. She was officially his fiancée now, and there was no going back as far as he was concerned.
Dominique Proxa was his for the next ten years.
“You two need to eat,” Jessel said. “Then, we’ll figure out how to make sure you both stay safe while you’re here and after you go back to the human realm.” Her eyes moved to Dominique. “Does that sound acceptable to you?”
Dominique nodded.
“Good. Now, how do you take your tea?”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
A half-hour later,Dominique’s head was spinning. She’d learned more about Ronan Byrne this morning than she expected.
As they ate, Ronan and Jessel discussed how someone had been able to tamper with Dominique’s food. He explained that he intended to speak to the woman who’d served their breakfast but that he doubted she was responsible.
There was more discussion of how to best protect both of them. Dominique disliked most of Ronan’s suggestions, mostly because the plans involved him remaining close to her at all times. Even when they were back in the human realm. She needed physical distance between them in order to maintain her emotional distance. Their marriage would last for at least seven or eight years, probably closer to ten, and she couldn’t afford to get attached to him. To rely on him.
It was so tempting to let go of control and just go along with his plans, but she knew it would be detrimental to her in the long run. She couldn’t get used to depending on someone. Not unless she knew they wanted her for the long-term. No relationship was guaranteed, but Dominique needed to be confident that her partner wanted her enough to try their best.
In the end, Jessel put an end to their bickering by telling Ronan to back off and Dominique to suck it up for a short time. Neither of them was willing to argue with her, so that put an end to the heated exchange.
