Page 6 of Fae's Mate
“Yes,” I say with assurance. She frowns at my answer. Clearly, the common misconception amongst humans still exists. I don’t elaborate any further.
“Are you allergic to iron?”
I balk. Why do humans always seem to remember that iron is harmful to us? I consider being pedantic; Allergic is not the right term…
“We are notallergicto iron, no, but it is harmful.”
“How?”
A question falls from my lips before I can stop it.
“Do you wish to hurt me, Seki?” I ask, amused.
“Not yet.” There is an edge of defiance in her voice, even as her fingers knit in her lap. Do I make her nervous?
I can’t help but chuckle. “Proximity to iron hinders our magic, and injury from iron can be fatal.”
She nods her understanding. I sense she wishes to question me further about this, but she only has two questions left. “How long will it take for your brother to regain his magic?”
“I don’t know.” I answer honestly.
One question left. I wonder if she will use it to ask about the bond between us.
“Do you mean us harm?” She asks, voice cautious.
“No.” I answer quickly.
I have no reason to bring harm to the humans unless they reveal themselves to be a threat to me and my court.
“My turn.” Seki shifts uncomfortably in her seat, as if I am about to interrogate her. “What do you do in the human realm?”
“Bake.” Her one-word answer amuses me. Clearly, she plans to be as evasive as I was.
“Do you have a family?”
Her dark brows knit together at my question, and a flash of uncertainty dances over her perfect face. “Yes,” is her only response.
That is not enough information. I want to know if her parents still live, if she has siblings, does she have a mate? Do humans even have mates? The thought of it brings a sudden surge of jealousy, but I stamp it down. I realise she is still too wary of me to give me any decent answers.
So, I decide to keep my questions, for now.
“I appreciate your answers. You may go.”
“But you still have two more questions.”
“I have three, but I do not wish to ask them yet.”
“You asked me if I wish to hurt you… so you only have two left.”
“Very well,” I grin, happy to be caught out at my own game. “I will ask the finaltwoquestions when I have something further to ask.”
She stares at me, her dark eyes assessing, and I wonder if she regrets entering into a deal with me. Which of the humans knows the danger of making deals with us? Do they know how binding they are? Does Seki know? Does she realise I could ask her any question, at any time and she would have to answer me?
After what feels like a lifetime under her gaze, she slurps the rest of her water, placing the glass on my desk with a little too much force and rises from her seat. “Well then, good day to you,High Lord,” she seethes, then storms from the room.
I feel both relieved and distressed at her absence. Even the way she spits my title with contempt fills me with something I haven’t felt in a long time. Arousal. I’m grateful to be sitting behind my desk, as it hides the evidence.
“Bring me another!” I bark at the guards beyond my door, then gulp the rest of the wine from the glass.
