‘You mean when they realise I’ve not nicked their family heirlooms? Someone’s obviously been telling tales.’
His look of discomfort was answer enough. ‘There have been … stories,’ he admitted. ‘What happened with the Foinse doesn’t help.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘No-one’s seen it. It’s the source of all magic, Integrity. You were the last person to hold it and you possess a clever sleight of hand.’
‘You think I palmed it when no-one was looking? You saw the damn thing fly away just like I did, Byron.’
‘I know,’ he replied equably. ‘But people don’t trust you.’
‘Gee,’ I said sarcastically, ‘blow me down with a feather. I never realised.’
‘Youarea thief, Integrity.’
‘Reformed.’ Sort of. ‘Besides, I’ve never stolen from any of the Clans.’ Actually, that was a lie; I’d spotted at least one noble who I’d relieved of a rather ugly-looking emerald ring. But that was years earlier and he’d have no reason to suspect me of the crime.
Byron tilted his head and gave me a long look. ‘You stole from me.’
‘That’s where you’re wrong. I stole from Jamie.’ I smirked. ‘Call it foreplay, if you will.’ Byron’s eyes suddenly darkened. ‘And I returned your silly jewel.’ I said, referring to the stunning Lia Saifire.
A muscle jerked in his cheek. ‘Are you expecting my gratitude?’
‘No.’ I nibbled on my bottom lip. ‘Why didn’t you tell your father that I was going to compete in the Games?’
‘I had no idea you were going to do such a thing.’
‘Yes, you did.’ I eyed him speculatively. ‘In fact, I think you told me about the Games because you wanted me to compete. Were you missing me?’
His face took on a look of mock sorrow. ‘Yes. I couldn’t sleep at night without knowing where you were. Food tasted like ash in my mouth. I couldn’t find joy in anything. When the sun shone, it was as if the very heavens were laughing at me.’
‘Yeah? And when was the last time the sun shone?’
Byron grinned suddenly with such a flash of pure enjoyment that I wished I’d done more to see it earlier. ‘Probably October.’
I smiled back. ‘Holding these Games in February seems a deliberate action to freeze my tits off.’
I thought maybe I’d been too crude and wished I could back take the words but Byron responded with his own spark. He leaned forward and whispered in my ear, ‘My balls are blue. I can’t imagine what they’ll be like tomorrow when I have to wear a kilt.’ He winked and my mouth went dry. I didn’t normally have fantasies about those particular body parts but I had a very vivid image now. ‘Nice tartan, by the way. I’m guessing the hot pink is your personal addition?’
Before I could answer, I spotted Tipsania in the doorway. Her eyes landed on us and she wasted no time in making her way towards us. ‘Your girlfriend’s here,’ I murmured. I gave her my most professional smile.
She sniffed and stopped inches from us. ‘Integrity.’
I tried not to look surprised that she’d remembered my name.
‘That tartan wouldn’t look out of place in a mock Highland stripper show in Vegas.’ She bared her teeth. ‘You know, in one of those smaller venues where a shot of vodka costs about a dollar. A real … classy joint.’
‘I wouldn’t know,’ I returned coolly. ‘I’ve never been to one.’
‘Haven’t you?’ She moved alongside Byron and hooked her arm through his, laying claim to her man and marking her territory. I was surprised she didn’t hike up her skirts, squat down and urinate on his shoe. ‘We went last year, didn’t we, By? It was just the two of us. It’s more romantic than you’d think.’ She giggled. ‘There was a wedding chapel I really liked. You weren’t so keen, were you, Byron?’ She glanced at me. ‘I think he’d rather have a large traditional ceremony.’
I raised my eyebrows. ‘You’re engaged?’
Tipsania preened. ‘Not yet.’ She cast a sidelong look at Byron. ‘But who knows what might happen when the Games are over?’
Byron cleared his throat; he was obviously uncomfortable and I had a sudden flash of insight. He was going to compete and if he won, he’d ask for a monetary reward to help bring his Clan out of their dire financial straits. If he lost, he’d probably end up having to wed good old Tipsy. The Scyrmgeours were loaded. I felt a flicker of unexpected sympathy for her. It didn’t last.
‘You don’t really think that you can win the Games, do you?’ she asked me. ‘It’ll be so embarrassing when you come last. And you do understand the terms of participation? That each participating – and losing ? Clan has to help provide the prize for the winner. That’ll be rather difficult for you when you have no Clan.’ She pasted on an expression of mock concern. ‘You don’t want to find yourself heavily in debt for the next twenty years.’ She touched my arm. ‘I’m just thinking of you.’
