Michael’s hand trailed the shimmering wall of our hideout, making my insides tickle. The sensation was uncanny and unlike anything I ever experienced before.
It must have been the strange place; it made me hypervigilant. Danger always preferred to disguise itself in beauty.
I swatted his hand to keep it from distracting me. ‘Do you mind? I’m trying to focus on protecting us.’
Michael chuckled weakly, still admiring my power. ‘While I appreciate the fact you wouldn’t let me die, they’re harmless. Letmeworry about our safety.’
The implication rubbed me the wrong way. Like I was useless and the big, bad Fire Prince needed to make sure I didn’t get myself in harms way. ‘I’ll have you know I’m perfectly capable of keeping myself safe.’
He nodded, the corners of his mouth quirking up. ‘I wouldn’t dream to think otherwise. But I won’t let anything happen to you anyway.’
His words said one thing, but his mocking expression didn’t convince me. ‘So theoretically if we get ambushed by a pack of night wolves, you’d prefer if I let you get eaten?’
Grey eyes snapped to mine in feigned consternation. ‘Aren’t all wolves night wolves?’
‘No,’ I barked. ‘And you’re deflecting.’
Eyelids twitching, he rubbed them closed, barely containing his laughter. As if the discussion had somehow humoured him. ‘Dear Miriam, if at any point I can’t protect myself against wolves, then it’s probably best to let them feast. I don’t know how injured I’d have to be to let wolves get to me.’
'Ah, so it’s not the fact I’m a woman…’ I mused to myself. ‘It’s just your cockiness.’
A quiet snigger slipped out as our gazes met again, curiosity in his eyes feeling almost intrusive. ‘Why would you think it’s because you’re a woman?’
I ignored him. If he wanted to pretend that a lot of fae males weren’t sexist, that was on him. ‘But you’re pretty incapacitated now… what if something attacked us now? Would you rather I abandon you and hide?’
‘Miriam, you can fight alongside me if you really want to. I’m just saying you wouldn’t have to because I’ll take care of that and return you home in one piece. Does that work?’
Letting go of the shield I cast, I searched for any signs of the tiny beasts. ‘I guess.’
The way he kept staring was starting to wear me out. Just as I was about to confront him, he asked, ‘Are you a soldier at your court? I mean, you’re obviously a princess, but do you serve your kingdom?’
Odd thing to ask. ‘Why?’
‘You’re awfully adamant on fighting your battles so naturally I assumed you must have some combat training.’
There we go; he was about to ridicule me. ‘And if I don’t?’
Michael’s face faltered. His voice softened as he began, ‘I’m sorry. Did I say something to upset you? It seems whatever I say doesn’t suffice—’
I took a deep breath. The cold air helped soothe the little ache I carried in my chest; it was there non-stop, never letting me have even a moment of reprieve. ‘No. I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.’
‘It only just started,’ he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He was doing his best to ease the atmosphere.
A small, reluctant smile found its way to my lips too. ‘Well, it’s been long two days for me. I’ll stop.’
‘No, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just trying to understand.’
What in the world? Who was this guy, and what was he trying to accomplish?
'You're confusing me,’ I said, staring.
A loud snort ripped out of his chest before he paled, still clearly unwell from jumping. ‘I’m confusing you? I find your kind so peculiar.’
‘Give me one more minute,’ he begged, looking up and breathing heavily. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he calmed himself down. ‘They can’t hurt us, by the way. The squirrels. They just think they can.’
There was a grin on his face, like my attempt to protect us from a vicious attack was funny. Maybe I should just let one bite him on the ass.
I followed his line of sight toward the peak of the tallest mountain; it looked tens of miles away and disastrously tall. ‘Who do you find peculiar? Dark fae?’
