Lochlainn finally moved. He cleared his throat with a small grunt, straightening.
“My men were ordered to retrieve ya. If there was anymishandling, they’ll be dealt with.” He paused with a slight intake of breath. “Apologies on their behalf. Though I admit, I’m surprised ya came back. Even more surprised”—He looked me up and down, waving a hand as if framing me in place—“that you’ve been holding out on me.”
Lochlainn’s stoic mask cracked, swapped out with a devilish grin.
“Bet your apologies are as solid as your promises.” My voice dropped. “Call. Off. Your. Dogs. I will not repeat myself again.”
Coils tightened along my arms as my words became darker than fresh soil in a grave.
“They are never to hunt me, touch me, or even breathe in my direction. Do you understand? If they do”—I took a step closer—“I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”
A small glimpse of shock flashed across his face. Normally he’d laugh off my threats, but right now, he was exceptionally quiet.
I ignored Pogue as his eyes volleyed between us. Not sure if he was readying to play peacekeeper or pull up a chair.
“No,” Lochlainn said flatly.
My one eyebrow shot up. Was he really going to tempt me with a good time?
“I run this city. Anything I build, own, or cherish on these grounds is under my protection!” A hand slammed down on the desk, his anger building. “So when someone waltzes in, snapping that protection like afuckingtoothpick, I will not just call off my men. Explain what thebloody hellyou did!” Whatever fury he kept vaulted away had slipped.
Okay, so he wasn’t just pissed about me breaking his precious door, he waslivid. Guess I’d dented more than the metal—perhaps his ego as well.
“Yeah. So Loch,” Pogue interjected, cutting the tension with a sly smirk. “I don’t think poking a cobra is the best idea. It’s no secret she isn’t exactly in control of her powers and by the looks of it—” Those blue eyes raked over me in a slow, seductive caress, before fixing on the dark coils that wrapped around my arms. “She could pack quite the punch right now.”
Lochlainn’s face went taught, cheeks reddening.
“I donottake orders! Especially in my own—” he yelled, words snapping off mid-sentence.
Two vines lashed out from my palms, wrapping around his wrists, constricting. They shot forward and slammed his chestinto the desk. Tendrils outstretched, burrowing into the wooden surface, shackling him in place.
The desk thudded as he repeatedly reared back, failing to free himself. Horror flared in his eyes.
Slowly, delicate, purple flowers started to blossom along the vines.Wolf’s Bane.
Lochlainn growled, pain taking effect.
A phantom smile clung to my lips. I stepped forward, tilting my head, drinking in the full view of him bent over, bound in agony.
“This is a good lookfor you Lochlainn,” I said sweetly. “Bent over.Vulnerable.” The laugh that escaped me was dark, low. If it had come from anyone else, it would have made my own skin crawl. “Oh, there’sonemore thing I need you to do for me.” I flashed my teeth.
“Carrrrwynn!” he seethed through gritted teeth, then glared at Pogue accusingly.
I turned my gaze to Pogue. He immediately raised both hands in a dramatic show of surrender.
“Hey, don’t worry about me.” Inky swirls danced in his eyes. “I’m just here for theentertainment.” He winked, a slow smile kissing his lips.
This man was an anomaly. Hot. Cold. Hot. Cold. He was way too disgustingly pleased with what I was doing. I didn’t like it. And I definitely didn’t like the way he was looking at me. It ignited something deep inside—something I hadno businessfeeling.
That goddamn wink . . .
I reared my attention back to Lochlainn.
“You will enter me into theFecunditas Trialsin Eostre Land.” My words hit the air like a hex, causing the room to still. Tension settled around like a thick, spiced perfume.
For a breath, Pogue’s grin faltered. The first look of disapproval, but he remained silent.
Meanwhile, Lochlainn seemed struck.
