Precious golden eyes blinked open slowly, hazed slightly from sleep. Her cute eyebrows puckered in confusion as she stared up at me. She blinked once. And then twice. Then she mumbled in horror, “Well, fuck me. I can’t kill you now, you bastard.”
I stared for a solid minute.
That was fairly interesting.
It could be a complication.
I cocked my head and questioned gently, “You were planning to assassinate me?”
“Yes,” she stated simply. And without remorse. Her adorable nose wrinkled, and she griped, “I’ve been training forever for this. What a Fae fucking waste of my time.”
“Hm.” I ran the pad of my pointer finger down the delicate line of her chin. “I think you should probably explain,soul mate.”
Minnie bit her lower lip and pointed absently at the door—where the pounding still hadn’t stopped. Then, attempting to distract me from this line of questioning, she stated hurriedly, “But I think someone wants in.”
“That can wait.” I bent down and placed my face directly in front of hers, feeling absolutely no anxiety inside my Fae-spark from her. This woman was just as fearless as she was beautiful. “Explain, please.”
She huffed quietly and nibbled on her lower lip once more before eventually grousing, “I suppose I need to now. There’s a small contingent of unrest. It’s in Jarisbur. That’s where I’m from. I was raised in that mess and hatred. Many are being trained to rise above you right now.”
My blink was slow in light of this new information. “And what do my people believe I have done to warrant this?”
“They wish for higher wages. The pay scale has not been increased in far too long for them, considering the cost of inflation.”
“Interesting.” I lifted both of my eyebrows mockingly. “And tell me. Why did they turn to bloodshed instead of seeking my assistance first?”
Minnie’s mouth opened…and then closed just as silently. “That is an excellent question, indeed.”
I snorted quietly. “I will ignore the fact you did not do that either.Ifyou do me one favor.”
Shrewd golden eyes peered straight into my emerald gaze. The beauty beneath me asked sardonically, “Life always comes with a cost, doesn’t it?” She didn’t wait for me to answer her rhetorical question, instead pushing forward. “What would that favor be,my soul mate?”
“Turn the tides in Jarisbur. That little rebellion there? Harness it. Keep it safe and a secret for me to use when I need it.” Removing the last bit of space between us, I kissed her lips softly, whispering, “And, in return, I will forgive your transgression and do whatever you want me to do to help your town.”
Instant.“Your word on that?”
“Yes, anything you want me to do to assist them, I will.” I teased her lips gently and murmured, “Do we have an agreement, love?”
Her golden eyes narrowed on mine. “Have you ever called anyone else that?”
“No.”
“Then we have an agreement.”
I chuckled softly against her plush mouth and whispered, “I think you and I will get along just fine.”
Suddenly, the door smashed open, swinging brutally and bashing against the wall. Then, glaring daggers straight at me, the soothsayer snarled, “King Traevon, I know you heard me this entire time!”
“Perfect timing, as usual, Mother,” I groaned drolly.
“Mother…” Minnie mumbled, her eyes widening in horror. She shoved me aside with more strength than I thought capable of her shorter stature and dove for the blanket at the end of the bed, holding the material tight against her naked chest and nether region. And for the first time since I’d met her, she rambled and sputtered in full-blown embarrassment, “I am so sorry, ma’am. If I’d known it was his mother—”
“Enough,” Mother grumbled and lifted a quick hand, cutting my soul mate off. “You’ll get used to me eventually—since you’re sticking around longer than I am.” Her hand jerked in my direction, but her silver eyes stayed locked on the assassin beside me. “Get him dressed and downstairs. The back entrance. We’ve got company.” Then she pivoted and grumbled curses as she stalked away from my bedroom door. She was so aggravated that her stomping, irritated footsteps were heard far down the hallway.
“Well. That went splendidly,” Minnie mumbled, staring wide-eyed at the doorway. “I’ve heard she’s a soothsayer.”
My lips trembled in amusement, her expression tickling me just right. “You’ve heard correctly.”
“Fuck.”
