“Look at us.” I lifted my hands. Did we really have sex covered in the blood of our enemies as if we were enacting some kind of primitive ritual?”
The King chuckled and took my hand. “Yes. The most primitive ritual there is. And it was fantastic. Which reminds me. You haven't told me what those Eljaffna were planning. Are they the threat I heard rumors about?”
I tugged on his hand, urging him to go faster while distracting myself so I could lie. “Yes. But we don't have time for this. We need to get to Fuleng Park.”
“That park borders a human neighborhood.”
“Yes.” I grinned at him. He really was more intelligent than I'd originally given him credit for. “Kun-lo worked there. He was agardener.”
“Dig!” the King exclaimed and put on speed. “Holy shit! Dig!”
“Exactly!”
We ran for the courtyard together, forcing the King's knights to do the same. As we approached, Sir Vasren wentahead, shouting for a carriage. And then we were inside the carriage, rumbling toward Fuleng Park.
Chapter Nineteen
The King didn't bother me with talk about what had happened between us, and I was grateful for that. He did hold my hand during the ride to the park, but that didn't annoy me. I rather liked it. It helped me focus.Heeven helped a little.
“We need to look for any recently disturbed soil,” the King said.
I nodded. “I know what section of the park Kun-lo maintained. We should start there.”
“Do you think this murderer would know that?”
“Oh, yes. He's brilliant. Thorough.”
“Not as brilliant as you.”
I looked at the King. Tor'rien. Gods, he was stunning. I'm not a man to be distracted by such things, but I couldn't ignore the King's attractiveness. It was too obvious. Too aggressive. And, dare I say, mine? His words suddenly returned to circle my mind;“I warned you, Tekhan. You belong to me now.”Did that mean he also belonged to me? It had to. I would accept nothing less in exchange for the risk I was taking.
An ugly thought reared its head along with another memory—that Eljaffna merchant telling me I could have the King forever. Correction; not a merchant. A dream dealer whohad been stalking me. Oh! Nectar movers! That's what I could tell the King. I could tell him the truth without betraying my people.
Best to tell him now, before I got distracted again. “While we have a moment, I need to talk to you about the Eljaffna. You wanted to know if they were the threat you heard rumors of.”
The King's expression twitched and he growled, “Tell me.”
“They're nectar movers.”
“They're what?”
“They import frang flowers, distill the nectar into a liquid, and sell it to humans.”
“That's how I know them! I knew I recognized some of them. They petitioned me to allow for the import of the flowers. As if I were an idiot who didn't know their usage.”
I chuckled. “You are no idiot.”
The King's expression softened. “Coming from you, that's a high compliment.”
Was I blushing? Holy fuck! I cleared my throat. “They, uh, thought I had influence over you.”
“Did they?” He smirked.
“Yes,” I hardened my tone. “You should never have gone into Newfangled. You must have known what takes place in there.”
Another twitch. This time, it transformed his face into something bestial. “That was the very reason I had to go in.” Heleaned closer. “You and I were developing a relationship, and you went there to take another man's blood! Probably more.”
“Well, of course I did! I was trying to get over you!”
