He puts his free hand on his hip while the other rests on his staff. “You’ve mentioned a bargain,” he says, “but you’ve yet to say what you get out of this.”
Just like that, some of my excitement returns, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to conceal my grin.Play this well, Gemma. Don’t act too eager.
“Did you mean it when you said you’re wealthy?” I ask.
He shoots me a glare. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“We’re going to need some funds for our scheme to work. You can’t leave the manor, which means I’ll have to tempt Imogen here. And there’s no way she’s going to fall in love with you if the entire place looks like this.” I gesture toward the dusty furniture.
“I’m not wasting my money on frivolous decor for a manor I have every intention of vacating when the curse is broken.”
“I won’t waste it, trust me,” I say. “I know how to handle finances in just the right way. That is why I applied for the job, you know.”
“The job?”
“Your want ad for a house steward. I have experience running a household on a very tight budget. And my need for that job hasn’t changed.”
“Your point being?”
My eyes lock on his. “You’re going to offer me employment.”
He barks a laugh. “I don’t actuallyneeda house steward.”
“You do now,” I say. “If you want this bargain and my assistance in breaking the curse, then you’ll appoint me your house steward, provide a handsome weekly salary as well as room and board—”
“Room and board? You want tostayhere?”
“Yes. That’s a non-negotiable part of the bargain.” In truth, it’s the answer to all my prior concerns regarding getting a job—whether Father would strip my allowance, turn me out of the house. This way, I’ll have it all. A salary, work I’m suited for, a place to live. “In addition to these terms, once the curse breaks, you will reward me with a hefty sum of money.”
“In addition to a weekly salary?” He throws his free hand in the air, shaking his head.
“What do you care for money, anyway? You clearly aren’t spending it. Besides, you said you value your unseelie form more than anything. Would you put a price on that?”
“I may not spend my fortune now, but I like spending it when I’m a wolf, human.”
I take a firm step forward. “My name isn’t human, it’s Gemma. And if we are to work together, you will call me Miss Bellefleur.”
He takes a forbidding step closer to mirror mine, his eyes glinting dangerously. “Then you will cut that tone and call me Your Majesty.”
I refuse to falter beneath his glare. “Fine, Your Majesty. What’s it going to be? Do you agree to my terms?”
A corner of his mouth lifts. “You’remyprisoner and I am your king. I could kill you for insubordination, you know.”
I cross my arms, pulling my lips into a forced smile. “You could, but I doubt that would go over very well with the Alpha Council, especially after they find out you abducted me. Besides, I’m probably the closest thing you have to a shot at breaking this curse. Kill me if you want, but if this curse is meant to claim your life at the end of your sentence, then I’ll see you in hell in three months’ time.”
His eyes widen. “I don’t need you.”
“No, you could keep trying to trick unsuspecting townsfolk using fear and false heroics.” I flutter my lashes. “But…how has that been working so far?”
He releases a grumble. “How much money are we talking about?”
I pause, running some calculations in my head. “One thousand quartz chips per week.”
He moans.
“And twenty thousand quartz rounds once the curse has been broken.”
His mouth falls open, but no sound comes out. Eyes bulging, he finally speaks. “Twenty thousand rounds! You’re out of your mind.”
