“Foot cramp,” she whispered.
His eyes scanned hers, but he said nothing further as he lowered to his knees and crouched at her feet. And began to rub them.
She didn’t say a word as he worked, swallowing a blissful moan as he ran a strong thumb up her aching sole. He curled his fingers between her toes, loosening the tension, and heat coiled in her lower belly.Fuck,there was something so erotic about his calluses scraping across that soft, rarely touched skin.
“You know,” he murmured, concentrating on his masterful work at her feet, “if you had just given me a moment to think through our options before barreling out of that window…”
“Don’t start,” she grumbled.
Ronin squeezed her arch and the pressure was so delicious that Mireille released a pleasure-soaked whimper.
His golden-blue eyes darted to her mouth. “I’ll take a thank you at any time.”
“The fall wouldn’t have killed me. I would have healed. Probably.”
He snorted a laugh as he plucked up a shoe. He cupped her calf, his warm fingers a brand against her cool skin, then slipped it onto her right foot. “One of these days, Valette, you’re going to admit how much you need me.”
He tucked her left foot into the other shoe, and she pushed up out of the chair, towering over his kneeling form. “Immortality is anawfullylong time to wait.” He dipped his head, snickering, as she vented an irritated sigh. “We’re going to have to figure out another way to get into that office.”
“Maybe you should try climbing out of the window again.” He stood, a raven eyebrow cocked beneath his messy white strands. “That ward that blew you off the turret was probably just a one-time activation.”
“Ass,” she muttered, trying not to stare as he sunk his sharp canines into his luscious bottom lip to cage in a laugh.
“You were right about the show though.” He angled his head. “Caught a glimpse of your panties as you were careening toward me. Black lace. I’m into it.”
She smacked his arm but couldn’t help a soft snicker. “We should probably get back to the party before anyone starts to question where we went.”
“Well, if you walk in looking likethat, I know what they’ll assume.”
Mireille stepped over to a gilded mirror and nearly burst out laughing. Her hair stuck up at all angles, a tangled copper halo. She smoothed her fingers through it, trying to tame thenest. “There was a black pad outside the office door. I wonder if anyone besides Otto has access to it. Do you think?—”
Voices echoed down the hallway.
“Let’s go,” Ronin said. “No more scheming today, you reckless female. Weren’t you the one who commanded we just spend tonight mingling with the guests?”
She huffed as she let Ronin lead her out of the parlor and back toward the greenhouse.
“Come on, Matakos. Where’s your sense of adventure?”
Then laughed in earnest at his low, rumbling growl.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ronin and Mireille headed out to the gardens just before sunrise for the first performance—an aria from the operaIgnesh Tremani, which translated toWings of Firefrom the Aramaelish.
They’d spent the last few hours mingling with the other guests in the greenhouse, Ronin watching Mireille like a hawk after her brush with death. He’d tried to hold it together after he’d caught her, but High Gods, he’d been fucking terrified. Andfuriousthat she hadn’t taken even a second to talk through the decision with him before shoving out of that window. If he hadn’t thought to go outside and spot her, and if she’d hit the ground instead of him…
He tried to convince himself that the only reason he’d been so scared was because if Mireille had been injured, if they’d been caught, then this assignment would be a failure. No uncaged wolf.
But deep down, he knew that wasn’t true.
He’d pushed those thoughts aside as he watched Mireille chat with the other guests, yawning the entire time, her eyelids drooping.
Several times, Ronin had almost saidfuck itand carried her back to their suite to force her to get some rest. But every time he tried, she refused. Said they needed to stay and observe, despite learning nothing useful.
Well, Ronin had learned something—Mireille worked herself way too hard. And was far too willing to risk her safety for a job. He was starting to realize that in addition to protecting her from Otto, he should also be protecting her fromherself.
Outside in the gardens, an arrangement of chairs was set upon the flagstone patio. A flaming wooden arch carved into the shape of wings stood in front of them, surrounded by three ice sculptures—the ones Ronin had seen from their window yesterday.
