“I was sleeping in my shift, and apparently he changed his mind about just taking the money and running. He attacked me on the bed, but my brother, Draydyn, he’d taught me the best way to get away from a man. I kneed him hard between the legs.”
“I like your brother.”
I nodded, smiling at the bittersweet memory of him.
“It worked and gave me enough time to grab my dress, my purse and run from the room. The innkeeper and his wife heard the noise and found me in the hall. Thankfully, the innkeeper’s wife took pity on me. She sat with me in her parlor with a hot pot of tea until the sun came up.”
“Did they catch the bastard who did this?”
“He got away. The innkeeper found a wood fae male I could trust to hire and protect me until I reached the next town. I became wiser after that. Before I left, I bought a dress from the innkeeper and gave her my gown. That way, I didn’t stand out as much.”
He snorted and eased his hand down to my elbow before releasing me. “That is not possible. You could wear a grain sack, and still, you’d draw the attention of every male near you.”
He gulped hard and looked away, frowning.
“Let me go with you to Hellamir,” I begged him.
“Now that you’ve told me there is danger in the towns, it would be best if you went with the clan.”
“I’m aware of these dangers. It will be better for Tessa if she has me with her.”
“I know you’ve become quick friends with Tessa, but Sorka and Bes are fond of you. They’d keep you company until we return.”
That wasn’t why I wanted to go with them, and after telling him that story, I realized the true reason was one I didn’t want to admit. Not even to myself.
“It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
I snapped my head away. A group of females sauntered by, giggling when they saw me. One of them was Velga, her sneer telling me exactly what she thought of me. Then I felt Redvyr’s claw beneath my chin, guiding me to face him again.
“Tell me, Jessamine.”
“Is Velga one of your lovers?”
Changing the subject was always the best way of evading something I didn’t want to discuss.
His expression turned amused. “What?”
“Velga. The pretty one who obviously hates me. Is she one of your lovers?”
He chuckled, and I had never wanted to punch a beast fae in the face so much until that moment.
“No. She is not.”
“Has she ever been?” I demanded to know.
He shook his head, grinning, his male ego proudly on display in his smug expression. “Though she may have made it known once or twice that she wanted to be.”
“Oh.” I stared at the group of females as they disappeared among the other clan members packing their belongings. “She doesn’t like me.”
“No, she doesn’t. You are a beautiful female and have been in my company alone in the woods. And I have spent a great deal of time with you since we returned to camp.”
“She believesweare lovers?” I couldn’t help the surprise in my voice.
“Most likely. Or that we will be.”
“Well, that’s just ridiculous.” I forced a laugh up my throat, catching his gaze.
