“Let him come with us for a while, Baz,” said Ed.“It might be good to have him around.”
Alobaz looked from Ed to the rest of his crew.None of them, including Félix, who’d returned in the night, objected.
“Pleaaaaaase?”Crute said.“You won’t regret it.”
“I already do.”
Crute’s eyes widened with excitement.Maybe Ed was right.
“Does that mean you’re gonna let me come with you?”
Alobaz frowned.Sighed.Scratched the scruff on his chin.
“I guess so.”
Crute squealed.
Alobaz held up a hand.“Can’t promise the castle will keep being nice to you.She’s not to us.And it’ll just be for a little while.It’s a temporary arrangement.So don’t go getting used to anything.”
“I won’t.I promise.I won’t let myself get my hopes up.”
Only, from the grin splitting his face in two, it was clear his hopes were already soaring with the Fuerin Star.
Alobaz exhaled heavily.That hopeful innocence wouldn’t last long.This world wouldn’t allow it.
Jaeda and the other whores smiled, then ducked back into Slake, pulling the door closed behind them with a loud snick.
“How about I join you too?”the temptress purred.“It’ll be fun.”
“I’m not in the habit of making dreams come true,” Alobaz said.“This kid’s is plenty for one day.”He tipped his head at her.“Enjoy the rest of your day.”
He dipped his head at the Galmeenians who were frozen in place, fervently observing the interaction.“Everyone.”
Alobaz pushed off from the post.
His arm accidentally skimmed hers.
Her power zinged through him as if it were the very font of faithum.
Shocked, he looked at her.Her eyes were wide too.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and stalked into the street, picking up the pace.The sooner he never had to see her again, the better.He had enough trouble of his own without her dragonfire kind of it.
When his mind immediately envisioned just what kind of delicious trouble she might get into—with him, fully naked, their bodies twisted into one—he bit his tongue.He waited for the pain, and concentrated on it instead.
Now that Félix had retrieved the pair of rubies—killing the husband and wife who were happy to peddle children in the process—it hadn’t cost Alobaz anything to free the sixteen whores, young girl, and Crute.
The temptress, though?Nothing with her would be free.He was sure of that.Anything to do with her would cost him more than he was willing to give.
His shoulders only began to relax when he was astride Drion and flying high over Galmeen.The shädread stallion, who’d never once allowed anyone else on his back, had permitted Crute.
Alobaz would keep his focus sharp.
He’d continue resisting his father’s desires for even more conquest in what few ways he could.He’d continue fighting for the fae and humans he tried to defend even when he really couldn’t, failing more than he succeeded.And he’d especially resist the viper who’d come so close to stabbing her fangs into him.
Her—he’d fight her the hardest.
She wasn’t sinking her claws into him.
