“Go ahead. If it will make you feel better.”
Her fingers flex, but she doesn’t throw anything. She stands there, shaking with a fury she can’t hide, and doesn’t look away.
Interesting.
The Alleria I took from the palace would have crumbled by now. She would have begged or cried or retreated to a corner to wait until I deigned to speak to her. This one is angry.This oneis demanding answers like she has a right to them.
I take another sip of wine and consider her over the rim.
“You’re different tonight.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“I’m not. I’m making an observation.” I set the glass down. “Usually, when I walk into a room, you flinch. Tonight, you’re shouting at me.”
“You drank my blood!I think I’m entitled to shout.”
“Entitled.” I draw the word out. “That’s a dangerous word to use with me.”
Something flickers in her eyes. Fear, maybe. But she doesn’t back down. Her chin comes up instead.
“I want to know why.”
I let my gaze run over her. The firelight catches the copper in her hair, and throws shadows across her face. The pulse beating too fast in her throat gives away her fear. The tension in her shoulders tells me she’s ready to bolt. Not that she has anywhere to run to.
I’m curious what she might do next.
“Sit down.”
“No.”
“It wasn’t a request.”
“I don’t care.” Her voice shakes. “I’m not sitting down until you answer me.”
I could make her sit. I’ve done it before, and she knows it. She’s bracing for it, in fact. Waiting for me to cross the room, and force her into the chair.
But I don’t move.
“You’re either very brave or very stupid.”
“Maybe both.” The words are muttered under her breath.
The corner of my mouth twitches. “Maybe.”
I cross to the other chair and sit down. She stays where she is, fingers curled into fists at her sides.
“Sit down.” I meet her eyes. “I might indulge you, though. But not for nothing.”
“You owe me answers. You drank my blood.”
“I don’toweyou anything. But … you interest me.”
“What doesthatmean?”
“It means what it means.” I gesture to the chair across from me. “Sit down, and we’ll trade truths. You can ask your questions, and I will answer honestly. But then I will ask, and you will answer the same way.” My lips curve. “A bargain, if you will. But be warned, fae bargains bind. Once you agree, you can’t take it back.”
“And if I refuse?”
