He shut his office door soundly. “You steal into my private office and think I am simply going to leave with you?” His laughter was positively ugly. “Who do you think you are? Sit down. We’ll talk in here.That, is me being generous.”
I sighed and tilted, looking around the Merfolk Queen’s tall body. “Jeremiah, I would advise you to do as she says. You will not like it, otherwise.That, is me saving your Fae damned ass.”
Something…flittered in his gaze.
A slight twitch of the eye.
The barely there narrowing of his attention at my words.
And…horribly…it clicked inside my mind.
Oh, fuck.
My own eyes widened. “Queen Alora, do you remember the gentlemen shifters we spoke to up on that mountain? How they looked just like our other shifter friends?” I sucked in a large breath. “I think…he has something in common with them.”
Instantly, Queen Alora’s back stiffened in front of me.
Jeremiah’s eyes intensified further, his ire growing. “What are you two talking about? You’ve come to talk to me about shifters?”
Queen Alora lowered her head and stared at him from under her hood, her stance hardening for a fight. She snarled furiously, “What are you doing in my kingdom, Fae?”
Jeremiah blinked…and then the most bitter smile I’ve ever seen spread across his lips. He purred, “How did you know?”
I started to edge to the side, wanting a clear line of sight to fry his ass if need be. “You flinched at the curse.”
Queen Alora took a menacing step toward him. “Answer my question.”
But, Jeremiah’s attention snagged back on me. To the floor behind me. His back straightened and his eyes crashed to mine. “You have my coat.” It was a blunt statement.
I raised a red brow and pulled my hands in front of me, holding up the offending thing. “I do not believe this coat is worth your life. You should answer her question, Jeremiah, and quit stalling.” I truly was trying to save his arrogant ass.
The oddest look passed over his face.
It came…went…returned…and then stayed.
The Fae inhaled deeply and a beautiful grin crossed his lips. “A new wife has found me. Praise be.”
Queen Alora froze in place. Her head cocked to the side as she watched him. She snapped dubiously, “Pardon me?”
“Not you.” His eyes returned to me. “The beauty behind you.”
The Merfolk Queen and I glanced at one other.
“Huh?” I mumbled dumbly.
Jeremiah chuckled softly. “I love it when it’s a surprise.” He nodded his head of golden hair at me. “You are my wife now.”
Confusion took hold. I muttered, “What do you mean I’m your wife?”
The Fae sauntered across the room toward me and leaned into my personal space. A sensual smile curled his plump lips as he whispered, “What don’t you understand, little elf? You are exactly that. My wife. You will honor and obey—”
“Uh, no,” I growled and stepped away quickly, slamming my back against the coral wall. “I think you have me mistaken for someone else.” I pointed a finger to my right, not giving a Fae fuck I was throwing the Merfolk Queen to the Fae now. “Maybe her?”
He didn’t even look away from me, like he could only see me and nothing else. “My little elf, if you are worried about my prowess you have nothing to fear. I am more than capable of taking care of your sexual needs.”
I blinked in horror. “No. No, I am definitely not worried about that.”
But…a certain Shifter King might be.
