One thing I did know was they were a secretive bunch. If the Imperial Warriors were involved, most fae were none thewiser that any violence had occurred at all. The warriors were rumored to be that efficient, that quiet, which only further flamed my belief that Kole was one of them. It definitely explained his ability to mask everything he was thinking or feeling, even if his Shield couldn’t keep me out.
I eyed Kole again, taking in his impressive build and steady composure. He hadn’t even flinched while fighting those two males. And as an Imperial Council Warrior, he could have easily bested them. He probably could have taken on three, four, five, or perhaps even ten fae at once. And surprisingly, he’d done everything with only physical skill. I hadn’t felt the traces of rising magic that indicated he was using intrinsic power. It’d been the same when he’d taken down Abel.
All in all, everything I’d seen so far strengthened my belief inwhathe was, but it was also a reminder that I’d been entirely foolish to intervene.
Trying to cover up my embarrassment, I beamed.
Kole’s attention dipped to my mouth, but he quickly looked away. “Where did you come from anyway?”
I pointed behind us. “That tree.”
His brow furrowed. “Right, I noticed you appeared from a tree, buthowdid you get there?” For the first time since meeting him, a genuine trace of emotion flitted across his face. He looked perplexed, and I had the ridiculous urge to laugh.
Me, Primelle Hollaran, had stumped an unflappable Imperial Council Warrior.
I cackled inwardly at that thought, but suppressed thegiggle that wanted to rise. No need to start laughing like some unhinged buffoon. The stars knew this warrior already thought me entirely daft, given the circumstances in which we’d met. First, I’d kissed him unabashedly. And now, I’d appeared out of a tree only to “save” him from sure death.
Daft indeed.
Kole cocked his head, waiting for me to reply.
“Oh, I, um...” The second I realized I would have to explain my actions, all traces of humor left me. I swallowed and wondered if I was about to get a set of blue cuffs slapped onto my wrists too. “I was nearby and heard the commotion. I came to investigate.”
“From the top of a tree?”
I smiled again, grinning so broadly my cheeks hurt. “Traveling by treetop is underrated. You should try it sometime if you’ve never done it.”
He side-eyed me, then glanced upward to peer through the trees. “Traveling by treetop, you say?”
“Oh yes, swinging from vine to vine. Jumping from branch to branch. Truly, you should give it a go. It’s quite freeing.”
“Is that so?” He stepped closer to the tree, then placed his hands on his hips.
He glanced upward, and I gulped.
My hovering carpet was clearly visible above the Wood’s canopy.
His attention dropped back to me. “That’s very interestingtreetop travelingyou’re engaging in. Funny how you failed tomention that swinging upon vines, or jumping from branch to branch, also required an enchanted carpet.”
My stomach bottomed out, and my mouth opened and closed in silence. I finally blurted out, “I wasn’t trying to break the law. I swear on the galaxy, but I heard the wildling’s screams, and I couldn’t just let them kill her.”
He eyed one of the unconscious males. “And what would you have done if I hadn’t been here, and it was just you against these piles of domal dung?”
“It would have depended upon the situation. Upon what they did.”
“They’re murderers.”
“I agree, although some wouldn’t see it that way. Some believe there’s nothing wrong with killing wildlings.”
“I happen not to agree with that, and the law doesn’t either.”
“No, it doesn’t, and I’m of the same mind as you. These bastards are murderers through and through.”
“Which makes it all the more dangerous for untrained fae, such as yourself, to take them on.”
I smiled broadly again and lightened my tone. “Yet I still came out unscathed.”
His focus drifted to my lips once more, his eyes hooding slightly, but then he blinked and looked away. I couldn’t have deciphered his expression if I’d tried.
