Page 74 of Ravenous

Meera’s gaze darted, confirming all Ditch’s suspicions. Her feelings for Lowell would only burgeon. But he was a male who hadn’t found his mate in her and was probably spying for Thane, which meant heartache would follow.

I can use that.Nothing under the heavens was more dangerous than a heartsore witch.

A knock on the door spared Meera further floundering.

“Enter,” Ditch called.

Jastorgh filled the doorway—huge, cocky, shady—with his black wings furled and a sealed missive from Thane. Would this one be drenched in the king’s tangy swimmers? Who knew with that wolf!

She dismissed Meera with a flick of her fingers. “I want the audit on my desk by Monday. And keep up your training over the weekend.” A pause.Say something nice, Ditch. Hearts and minds.“You look…tired.”

Meera blinked in confusion, mumbled thanks, and fled.

Ditch accepted the envelope from Jastorgh. “Wait outside, Volar demon,” she told him, tail curling with anticipation. “Something tells me I’ll need you shortly.” Her witchly intuition simmered as she opened the envelope.

I will be gone for a few days, lass. Miss me.

Thane

Miss me.Not a question. A command. Delicious.

She hadn’t planned to see him again—no pleasure was worth the danger of craving it even more—but her own instincts shrieked to keep him close.

He’d promised to find a way for them to be together. And now he was striking off on a mission the day after she’d melted his brain with bliss. Had to be connected.

Would his life be in danger? During an Accession, any king leaving his territory might as well paint a target on his back.

She didn’twanthim dead. Not yet. The threat of Straegan’s rule loomedlarge.

And what if Thane played dirty, seeking some kind of magic to turn the tides with Ditch? Rogue witches, Sorceri, and wizards all dabbled in dark love spells.

She imagined herself mystically compelled to adore Thane—yearning and pliant—and waited for revulsion to set in.

She called, “Return, Jastorgh.”

He traced inside.

“Did you transport the king recently?”

“Might have done.”

“I need you to take me to him.”

“The wolf won’t like it if I transport a female—obviously his mate—to the most dangerous place in the Skein.”

“You took him to the Helter?”

A shimmy of his wings. “Might have done.”

“Are you loyal to him?”

“I’m loyal to my Volar demonarchy and Rhun. I’m a hired hand to whoever else pays me best.”

“Then I’ll pay more than Thane.”

He grinned with fangs. “That’ll be difficult. The wolf’s no miser, and I’ve heard your coven’s not exactly swimming in gold.”

She narrowed her eyes.Make no bargains with demons.They were always angling for others to surrender something.