Good because I was still alive, and I must be making progress.
Bad because a wizard was determined to make sure I didn’t break the curse.
7
Reyla
It didn’t take long to reach the training room, and we went inside.
Merrick braced the door partway open, speaking to those in the hall. “Surround the room. Don’t allow anyone to enter. Host wards and keep a tight watch.” He closed the panel and turned to lean against it, his hand flicking out. I could feel his own personal ward descend around us.
Another.
A third.
He kept adding them until I doubted even the fates themselves could batter their way inside.
“That should make things secure now,” he said.
“Untilwe leave the room.”
“I’m thinking of ways to handle this moving forward already. Trust me?”
I jerked out a nod.
His posture loosened, and he sent me a sly smile as his eyes glided down my frame. “That outfit does nothing for you.”
“I’m not taking it off.”
“A shame.”
I huffed. “You once said you loved how my ass looked in leather.”
“You make the outfit, not the other way around.” Bumping off the door, he strode over to stand directly in front of me.
“What happened in the hall?”
When he only stared at me, I realized I hadn’t phrased it correctly.
“The wizard who placed the curse knows what I’ve discovered,” I said.
He blinked.
“And they’re going to make sure I don’t make any further progress.”
“You’ve been clever right from the start.”
“They’re not going to give up.”
“Would you?”
“I wouldn’t do anything like this to someone. More than one person, actually; every generation of one family. Hence my need to learn as much as I can quickly, rip through the curse, and kill whoever crafted it.”
“I adore how ruthless you are. Go ahead. Ask your questions.” His eyes smoldered. “Unless you’d like to engage in a different sort of play.”
I flitted to the other side of the room, savoring the way he raked his fingers through his hair and grumbled. “We’re only here for questions, Merrick. We will do nothing else.”
“For now.”
