Another memory floated to the surface, but unlike the others, I couldn’t fall into it. Only brief images flashed inside my head before disappearing.
Lyra.
“She’ll give her a reason to blame you. Hera will make sure of it.”It was Lyra’s voice. It whispered through my head, but I couldn’t make sense of it before it was gone. I didn’t have any idea who she was talking about.
Remembering something, I asked, “You said I had my own kind to thank for creating me. What did you mean?”
His muscles shuddered before he swept me off my feet and took me over to the bed. “How about we make a deal?”
I growled but didn’t fight him. “I don’t like your deals.”
“Every night you sleep with me, I’ll answer one question. You can confirm it through our connection however you’d like, but you get only one.”
I narrowed my eyes on him. “I won’t have sex with you for an answer toonequestion, asshole.”
His laughter surprised me. “As in the bed, little mate. Only that. Though, I wouldn’t say no to more.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Okay, so I sleep in the bed, and in the morning, you’ll answer a question?”
What was with this dude and making deals? Was it a Fae thing? Cash was also sort of deal-driven.
“You have my word, and I’ve honored everything I’ve promised you thus far, have I not?”
As annoying as it was to admit, he was right. He’d done everything he said he’d do. Since it was only sleeping next to him, it wasn’t a huge sacrifice, and I could ask anything. I might even get more through our connection than a simple answer.
He laid me out and slid under the covers next to me, collecting his book once more. I noticed the title and nearly barked a laugh.
FuckingFourth Wing.
Kate was going to eat this shit up.
“Just sleep?”
One arm was bent behind his head, several pillows under him like he was some human trying to relax after a long day at work. I didn’t know how to deal with it. I never thought a supernatural villain as formidable as Aram could look so…human.
“Just sleep,” he confirmed with a fanged grin. “Unless you were hoping for more?”
I flipped over, afraid if I stared at him any longer, I’d give in. “No, thank you. Not interested.”
His chuckle was paired with his confidence I wanted him. I hated that I couldn’t refute it without giving myself away again.
Chapter 28
He Who Tells No Lies
Aram
Imight be the most powerful Fae in the realm, but I’d met my match in every way. V was witty and always ready to exploit the things I said and did. But of course she was. I’d expect nothing less of my mate.
It gave me no small measure of pride to see her clever calculations and ruthless movements in action. Watching her put Rayis in his place was, admittedly, something I didn’t know I needed until she did it. It was only with my thousands of years of control that I didn’t make a right joke out of myself and pop a stiffy in front of my new mate and…well, everyone else.
My brother’s confusion and surprise, as the humans liked to say, was chef’s kiss. A truly marvelous sight. Especially since it was his complaints that followed me all the way to locating Lyra to keep V safe from the enemy she didn’t know waited for her.
It was his arrogance that put him at the end of her sword, one that radiated power unlike I’d ever felt from any realm. A sword he’d do well to avoid in the future.
Perhaps he’d think before he taunted my mate next time—if not for what I might do to him, but for what I’d absolutely let her do to him. Rayis hadn’t met anyone he couldn’t pin by either word or weapon, and I quite liked the idea of my mate being the first.
My brothers weren’t aware I was fascinated by humans and their never-ending creativity in V’s realm. I’d managed to keep at least that much from them. But I couldn’t from my mate.
