When I force myself to look at Laini again, anger burns in her gaze.
“I’m so sorry,” I say. I bow my head. “I don’t know what came over me, Laini. I’ve never done that with someone I just met. I don’t know what happened.”
“I do.” She crosses her arms and looks out the window like the answer is there.
So sheismad at me. Totally understandable. I told her a relationship with me wasn’t safe, and then I basically attacked her.
“Tully’s tea was a love potion,” she says.
Oh. OH. I shut my eyes and growl. “Of course.”
Chapter 7
Laini
Damn it, Tully.She had no right. Absolutely no right. This is so embarrassing!
“I’m so mad I could tie her into knots.” I storm toward the door. “I’m so sorry she did that to you, Rom.” I fling the door open. “I know you didn’t want to get involved romantically.”
Rom snags my arm, his grip firm but gentle, and I look up into his glowing, gargoyle eyes. The smolder in them takes the edge off my rage.
“Laini, I don’t regret what just happened.”
His words make my heart skip a beat, and I freeze, wanting to hear more.
He continues. “I only worry because I put you ingreat danger. Spark, too. I could have accidentally performed stone magic and hurt you both.”
I reach up and touch his cool, gray cheek. “But you didn’t. Everything is fine. I’m furious with Tully, but I don’t regret anything from my end. I am mad for you, though. I know you don’t want this.” I gesture from him to me.
His luminous gargoyle eyes soften. “Maybe I could give it a try.”
I step closer, my heart hammering. Did I want to try courting? Could this maybe work? No. I just can’t risk my heart. I promised to protect myself after Leo destroyed me.
I squeeze Rom’s hand and quickly release it even though part of me truly wants to hold on. “I need to focus on my tapestry to get the job. We can’t. Maybe after…”
He nods quickly, and I know I’ve hurt him. “I understand,” he says. “I shouldn’t have even asked. Bad idea. I’ll go. Unless you want me to confront Tully with you?”
Why do I feel like arguing with hisbad ideastatement when I’m the one who shut this down? “No, I’ll handle her. I’m sorry she did this. So sorry.”
“Like I said, I could never regret what just happened.” He starts to lift his hand like he mighttouch my face like I touched his, but he fists his taloned fingers and lets his arm fall. “Let me know if you think of a recipe for the party. I have time off in two days if you’d like to work on it then.”
“Here or your place?” I ask.
He glances around the room, and his focus attaches to the table where we just took our pleasure. “Maybe my place. I have an apartment, just a small place, inside the tower.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” he says. “It’s a clever construction with chambers built into the northern side of the structure. Steps off the top floor lead down to my living quarters. My kitchen isn’t as large as most, but it’s nice enough. I keep it well stocked.”
I wonder how often he cooks. He must do it pretty often, considering he avoids going into the tavern and all the regular eating establishments. “See you at ten in two days then.”
He nods a farewell and leaves me at the front door.
I shake my head as I march toward Tully’s house. She is going to experience a face full of my fist. Maybe it takes a little violence to persuade her to leave me alone. Fine.
When I get to her door, I poundthe broom-shaped knocker against the purple paint. “Tully! Get out here!”
But there’s no answer. She might still be in town at the bakery or her market stall. I don’t have time to seek her out right now. I need to get to the three-fourths mark in my tapestry, or I’ll never finish in time. I’ll tear her apart tomorrow sometime.
