His smile widened. “And what happens when you want to kiss me?”
She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous. This is a job, and as soon as it’s over, I’m going home.”
“Very well.” He straightened and walked toward her, the shift in his demeanor making her step back instinctively.
“Easy, dove,” he said softly. “I won’t do anything you don’t ask of me. But know this: I have no such boundaries.”
The way he said those words, the way his eyes lingered on hers, sent a strange warmth through her—a mix of excitement and fear.
This was a job, nothing more. She wouldn’t let her own insecurities get in the way of what was truly important. She couldn’t let herself be swayed by this dashing vampyre.
She needed to remember what he was: not just a fae aristocrat but a creature twisted into something darker.
“What do we do now?” she asked, still clutching the coin purse.
“We leave. Make sure to grab your squirrel friend—we won’t be coming back.”
“Leave here?”
“Yes. And don’t worry about gowns. I’ll buy you new clothes in the Golden City.”
He spoke as if buying her clothes was an easy matter, but the idea unsettled her. This fae lived alone, yet he had an entire wardrobe of women’s clothes.
What kind of life had he led?
“I’ll be right down,” Tavia said, needing a moment to compose herself without his overwhelming presenceclouding her thoughts.
Lucius nodded, closing the door behind him.
Tavia slumped onto the bed, ignoring the dust that kicked up around her. She was getting farther from home, but the coin he promised was worth the risk. She just had to remember why she was doing this and not get lost in the strangeness of it all.
Wiley scampered onto the bed beside her, and she reached out to scratch his furry, russet-colored head. He rolled onto his back, urging Tavia to rub his white belly.
“I’m not ready for this,” she murmured.
Wiley nuzzled against her hand, his tiny warmth grounding her. He pointed toward the closet, reminding her they couldn’t leave without his precious nuts.
Shaking her head, she retrieved the boot with his stash, attached her weapons, and headed downstairs.
Lucius waited at the bottom of the steps, staring off into the distance. The moment her footsteps echoed on the wooden floor, he looked up and smiled.
She wished he didn’t smile so much—it made him entirely too endearing.
“Remember your place,Tavia,” she muttered to herself. “Don’t get lost. Not in him, not in the clothes, and definitely not in the chocolate.”
But it was hard.
She knew that, the moment she walked through that portal into the Golden City, luxuries she'd only dreamed of would be revealed to her.
Her parents deserved a better life, and she would give it to them. They’d been kind, supportive, and selfless—letting her leave even though it broke their hearts.
“Everything all right?” Lucius asked, his tone unexpectedly soft.
Tavia nodded. This time, Lucius didn’t offer his hand. He simply stepped aside, allowing her to stand beside him. With a press of his thumb, he activated the transport rod and opened a portal.
She couldn't make out where they were headed. It was dark, and only some shapes were visible. It looked like a room, with a little bit of light filtering in to reveal a wooden chair and a table, but nothing else.
“Where is this? I thought you said we were going to the Golden City.”
