“You don't have to look like me to be a guardian. You don't even have to succeed. The point is that you try. A protector does all he can to help people. It's all that any of us can do, but most don't. That's the difference. You try, and your people see that. They trust you.” He looked over at Ilya pointedly. “I want you to help me investigate. I need a guide to show me around the castle and you come with the additional benefit of putting people at ease. Things will go smoother with you by my side.”
“And it gives you an excuse to be with me?” I lifted a brow.
“I told you; I'm infatuated. And an infatuated Kaplan never loses focus.” He grinned wide enough to flash his fangs. “Is this too bold for you?”
“The only man I've ever been with is a selfish, cunning, king. Bold is all I know.”
I saw the exact moment that my words registered. Konstantin's smile faltered and his expression went blank.
“You've only been with him?”
“He laid claim to me when I was still a young man. I didn't have a chance to be with anyone else.”
“Holy fuck.” He gaped at me. “You're practically a virgin.”
“Withhimas my lover?” I laughed scathingly. “I'm practically a whore.”
“Don't ever say that again.” Konstantin lowered his head once more, but this time, his gaze was intense and narrowed. “It's a foul word and it has nothing to do with you.”
My teeth clenched on a wave of . . .oh, Goddess, what was I feeling?It was tremulous and threatened to close my throat but in a good way. Tears sprang to my eyes, and I blinked them away rapidly. When was the last time someone had stood up for me like this? Konstantin had done it twice now, and one of those times had been with the Swan King himself. To his fucking face. No one did that.
“I've never seen anyone chastise the King before,” I whispered. “It was . . .”
“What was it?” Konstantin's voice dropped into a sexy tone again.
“Impressive.” I cleared my throat and stepped back, glancing at Ilya, who was gawking at us while trying to look as if he wasn't. “You're a very impressive man, but don't underestimate the Larch King. He's spent a long time honing his ability to get what he wants.”
“Then it's a good thing I'll have you working with me, giving me insight and advanced warning.”
“All right, I'll help you. But I can't guarantee that Nikolay won't step in and remove me.”
“We'll see about that.”
Chapter Ten
“Lord Ilya, this is Lord Konstantin,” I said after we'd joined Ilya in front of the fire. “He has asked me to help him conduct his investigations.”
“That's a wise decision,” Ilya said to Konstantin. “Lord Mikhail knows this castle well and our people trust him more than anyone.”
“Even the King?” Konstantin asked.
Ilya cleared his throat.
“I'll take that as a yes.” Konstantin pulled a notebook out of his leather jacket—a garment with sleek lines that looked of human make—and flipped it open. With a precise tap, he removed the pen tucked into the book's fold and poised it over a fresh page. “Now, Lord Ilya, you were the one who found the first body, correct?”
Ilya glanced at me before answering, “Yes.”
“And where was that?”
“The library. Lord Timofey was one of our archivists.”
“Where, in particular, did you find him?”
Ilya edged back in his seat. “In particular? The stacks.”
“Yes, butwhichstacks?” Konstantin's stare went piercing. “You do remember the exact location where you found Lord Timofey's body, don't you?”
“Yes, of course, but I don't know how to describe it to you.”
