Page 17 of Wolfkissed
Bert scratches the stubble on his chin and scowls.
Della sighs. “That’s a worrisome thought.”
“You’re going to tell me I’m paranoid,” I whisper.
“No. No, my lady. I’m not so sure about that. Bringing the werewolf here was a sign that things are not as they seem in his household. Now, I had a thought… what if you made a deal with the wolf?”
“Della—”
She lifts her hands to appease me. “I know he’s a beast, but he’s not a mindless one. Promise him something to at least keep him civilized while he’s here. Give yourself time to prepare.”
“You want me to make a deal with the beast?” I ask bitterly. “What could I possibly offer him?”
“His freedom? Less pain? A meal?”
“My main concern is to stop him from massacring everyone in here.”
She sighs. “I beg your forgiveness, my lady. I know your past. I mean, who here doesn’t? But he isn’t the one who attacked you back then.”
“How would you know?” I breathe. I’m still convinced he wasn’t, but what if I’m wrong?
Della bows her head. “I’ve overstepped. My apologies.”
I wave a hand to let her know it’s fine, my mind churning. “Explain your idea, please?”
“Just… promise the wolf his freedom when we approach his territory? A werewolf in human and fae areas is a target, especially an alpha like him. He could probably kill his way back, but…”
“But, what? Why would he take the deal?”
“Because every living creature’s drive is survival, and you know that best. If he has a working brain, he’ll take the deal. It’s the only rational thing for him to do.”
I let out a slow breath because she’s right, yet it’s so hard to see reason right now. “Will you see to my things? Bring up the trunks, start packing up my belongings?”
“I shall start immediately. My lady… Will you send for me when you reach your new home?”
A smile tugs on my lips, even if a vise tightens around my heart. “I promise. Now follow me. I need to take a good look at my new bodyguard.”
He’s sitting on the floor, slumped against the wall. His face turns when I step out of the door, lashes lifting.
Like that, he doesn’t look as intimidating as when he’s standing, but my stomach churns as I step closer.
“So you are the werewolf,” I whisper, and for some reason I wish I could see his mouth, hidden by the black leather muzzle. Eyes tell you a lot about a person, but the mouth complements what you read in a gaze.
And those eyes… He has the most extraordinary eyes. Golden with a black rim, slightly uptilted. Mesmerizing. Between the black muzzle and the fall of white and silver-gray hair, they seem to glow.
No,I tell myself.Don’t let yourself be hypnotized by pretty eyes.I force myself to take him all in, the strong physique, the ears that aren’t quite fae ears, less pointed, more… wolf-like. And the bushy, gray tail curled behind him.
Yeah, let’s not forget the tail. If nothing else, it’s a stark reminder that this isn’t a human or a high fae in front of me.
He’s a dark fae. A mongrel. Half-animal. Half-fiend.
“I am Rosamund,” I say, startled to hear my voice come out steady and strong. “You are supposed to be my bodyguard, but we both know this is a charade. My friend…” I don’t look at Della. “She suggested I try to reason with you. Can you be reasoned with? Nod if you understand me.”
Silence stretches. He watches me, unblinking, his breathing sounding harsh in the quiet. One of his ears twitches, and I find myself staring at it.
Crap.
Just when I think that he doesn’t understand me or doesn’t care, he gives a slow nod, his hair sliding over his gaze, hiding it.
