“How are we getting to town?” she asked.
He held up a small device. “The transporter. I think it has a few more charges left.”
Before activating it, he turned to her. “Now, we’ll need a story. In case anyone asks how we met.”
Tavia hesitated, her mind fumbling for ideas.
Lucius smirked, raising a finger as inspiration struck. “Ah! Let’s say we met at the temple. Yes, we’re devoutly religious, and it was love at first sight. Everyone loves a good love-at-first-sight story.”
He opened a portal in the parlor. “Come. I know exactly where we’re going to eat.”
Wiley chirped behind her, and Tavia glanced back.
“Stay here,” she said gently. “You’ll be safe. Check the kitchen—I’m sure there are some nuts in there.Those things never go bad.”
Lucius gave a playful bow.
“My lady,” he said, gesturing for her to step through the portal first.
Tavia emerged onto a cobblestone road in a quaint village bustling with shops and life. Lucius stepped through behind her and linked his arm around hers.
“Now,” he said, his voice warm and cheerful, “How about a nice, hot meal?”
The thought of food made her stomach growl again. Lucius laughed, patting her arm as they strolled toward the village square.
Tavia did not want to stroll anywhere. She lived in the shadows, weapons close to her skin. Now, she was out, a strange fae on her arm, and only two daggers by her side.
Her skin itched from the uncomfortableness of the situation, yet her hunger steered her forward.
Lucius, unbothered by being tethered to her, smiled at the villagers, nodding his head with a regality Tavia never could attain.
Would anyone notice him?
Or had too much time passed that the world forgotten about Lucius?
A group of fae strolled by, walking in similar gentlemen's attire. Their gazes wandered to her, lingering too long until a low growl from her side sent them away.
When she turned to look at her fake husband, he simply smiled as though growling at leering males was completely normal—and maybe it was?
Regardless, Tavia was too hungry.
And if Tavia knew anything about herself, it was that she became reckless when she was hungry.
If pretending to be a wife would get her a hot meal, she would play the part as best as possible.
Lucius was a payday, nothing more.
No matter how devilishly handsome he appeared.
Yet, somehow, she had to keep reminding herself not to trust this vampyre.
While Tavia was hungry for food, Lucius only ate one thing.
And how long would it be until thatthing. . . was her?
CHAPTER FIVE
Perhaps choosing an exceptionally exquisite female as his partner was not an intelligent idea. Fending off lusty males would prove inconvenient.
