“Yes, it does. Enid told me later that I’d never been in any real danger, but at the time, all I could see were their teeth.”
Eventually we said goodbye to the rest of the partygoers and headed home. Hiero took the long way so we could enjoy the ride. Most fae could fly, but it was more like a slow-moving hover that had evolved to enable us to collect the fruits and flower nectar from high up in the trees. It took a lot of energy to travel any significant distance. But being on the back of a motorcycle was like soaring through the sky. Plus, there was the added bonus of clinging to my Daddy while doing it.
Once at my motel, Hiero walked me up to my room again, and I considered inviting him inside, but then I recalled my conversation with Enid and all the things Hiero wanted. I needed time to process, to consider what I might be able to offer him in return.
“Thank you. I had a really lovely time today,” I said.
“Me too. I hate to say goodbye.” He leaned forward and gave me a friendly peck on the cheek. “Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow at work and afterwards, we can talk more about our arrangement.”
“Yes, boss,” I said, and he gave me a stern look. “Yes, Daddy,” I corrected.
“Good boy.”
I shivered from head to toe. No one could have prepared me for the power of those two words when my minotaur Daddy said them.
Chapter fourteen
Hiero
The pointy ears weremy first clue.
As I’ve mentioned before, the fae rarely made an appearance at Church and the elvish were even rarer. Both were known to have a peak to their ears, like the stranger sitting at the bar presently. This fella was alone too, wearing a long black cloak that could hide any manner of weaponry, including a sword or a crossbow, both of which were banned inside Church. But surely Frankie had patted him down outside the entrance. It was what I paid him for after all.
Possibly, he was a wizard, though their sort tended to be more somber and generally had a wizened air about them. This bloke was slugging back ale like it was his job. And most concerning, his eyes kept swinging toward Skylar, tracking his every move. Thus, I concluded this character was either Skylar’s ex or a spy sent to report back on his whereabouts. Either way he was about to get his ass bounced right back to Emrallt Valley.
“So, where you from, stranger?” I asked as I set down his third pint of ale, a classic opener that no one could dispute as being too nosy, unless they had something to hide.
The man stiffened and glanced over at me before clearing his throat. Suspiciously, I might add.
“Nowhere in particular,” he said.
“You look fae,” I remarked.
“Is that a problem?”
“Only if you make it my problem.” I narrowed my eyes and he glared back. We were off to a great start.
“How long has the fae been working here?” He jerked his thumb to where Skylar was balancing a tray of shots while winding his way through the crowd.
“What’s it to you?” I asked.
“Fae living outside of Emrallt Valley must register their absence with the Guild.”
“How do you know he hasn’t?”
That stumped him for a moment. Then he doubled down, puffing up his chest like he had some authority. Well-muscled and broad-shouldered, he had a build that suggested soldiering. His dark golden ringlets and blue eyes made him handsome enough to dislike even more. His straight nose looked primed for breaking, especially if I was correct in assuming this was the asshole ex who’d broken Skylar’s heart.
“Anyone caught trafficking in fae will be prosecuted by the Guild’s Enforcement Division,” he said.
“They gonna come down here and arrest me? For what crime exactly? Offering a job to a man trying to make a living? From what I understand, your kind don’t take care of your own very well.”
Something like guilt flashed in the fae’s stormy expression, and he went back to drinking his ale, draining it to the bottom before ordering another. I thunked a full tankard in front of him and said, “That’s your last one. Finish up here and leave.”
With a thunderous look, he grabbed hold of the pint, nursing it slowly this time. Even while serving other customers, I kept him in my periphery.
But the crafty fae must have been waiting for me to turn my back, because a moment later, I found the mug empty and the man swaggering across the floor to where Skylar was taking a four-top’s order. Skylar’s expression was stunned–clearly he recognized the man–then my boy was making hurried conversation to his customers and steering the stranger forcefully toward the front door.
Had Skylar been fearful that the man might make a scene? Would he become violent or try kidnapping him? Fuck if I was going to let some wet-behind-the-ears pompous ass hurt my precious boy.
