“No.”
“Then why in Mórrígan’s name are you staying here?”
“You know why. I’m trying to find Meriam.”
“Because you think she’ll just knock on your door? Come on, Little Bird. I know you’re smarter than that.”
“Actually, you think me a fool.” My eyes sting.
“Fallon . . .” he murmurs on a sigh.
“And yes, I realize telling Pierre I’d marry him in exchange for his help was impetuous, but that doesn’t give you a right to shit on meoron what I’m trying to achieve. Now, unless you have anything constructive to add, show your fucking self out of my bedroom.”
He shoves a handful of hair off his face. “I gave Aoife and the rest of my guards the night off, so you’re stuck with me until sunrise.”
He must’ve lost a whole bunch of brain cells from all his shifting if he thinks I’ll allow him to spend the night in my bedroom. “I’ll go sleep in Syb’s room. She’ll keep me safe.”
“She’s with Mattia. That would surely be awkward.”
“I’ll go to Gia’s.”
“She’s gone out on an errand.”
“At this time of night?”
“Rebels don’t keep office hours.”
I disregard his jibe. “Then Catriona’s—”
“I do not trust that female.”
I toss my hands in the air. “Then I’ll go to Antoni’s. You trust him, don’t you?”
“Not with you.”
Provocation makes me push the sheets off my legs and rise. “What do you fucking care, Lore? You’re about to get married.”
“Do not go to his bed, Behach Éan.” His voice is as sharp and low as the snap of one of his great wings.
“Why? Are you afraid that I’ll distract him from his task?”
Lore’s edges blur, then something cold and smooth presses into my front, forcing my knees to buckle and my ass to hit the bouncy mattress.
“Why are you so adamant to keep me from him? Do you know something I don’t?”
After his crows have regrouped in the armchair, he says, “I know many things you don’t.”
“Does he want me dead?”
“No.”
“Then I don’t see the problem with me seeking out his company—”
“You’ve got me. You’ve no need for him.”
“Except I’ve an itch to scratch, and you’re someone else’s fiancé, so your company is rather pointless.”
My comment must catch Lore off guard because he turns lethally quiet, but his silence lasts only a few heartbeats. “You’ve got hands, Fallon. You’ve no need for Antoni’s.”
