Both Thom and Mikal stare at me like I have three heads.
“No, she isn’t—I meant no offense. This is serious, then?” Thom’s face softens, and my voice loses its sharpness.
“I’m sorry, Thom. I didn’t mean to lash out. It’s just… this is unlike anything I’ve ever felt.”
Thom clasps my shoulder. “I’ll do whatever I can to help you two. You know that, right?”
I grin and lay a hand on both their shoulders, looking back and forth between them. “And I’d do anything for either of you. It’s what we do.”
“Yes, that and get drunk, fight, and chase females,” Mikal says, then gives a quick shrug. “Well, maybe not you anymore, Isiah—that just leaves more for the rest of us.” I shove his shoulder and head toward my room.
Soapy water runs down my arms as I scrub my skin, removing Grace’s scent. I make sure to wash my hands well. That’s where her scent clings to most—where her pussy clenched my fingers as I slid them in and out. If only it had been my tongue…
I splash cold water on my face and push those thoughts aside for later. Thom is right. I need to focus.
When I leave the washroom, I glance at Mikal and Thom, raising an eyebrow. “Well, can you scent her?”
They step toward me and sniff the surrounding air.
“Faintly, but not like before. You could explain it away from close quarters.” Thom sniffs again. “Just don’t get too close to Niethal. He may be more familiar with her scent and take notice.”
I’ll add that to the list of reasons to avoid him.
We leave my room and make our way through the castle, but as we near the parlor, irrational worries creep across my mind, wondering if Grace is all right.
“All going well on your end?”
When she answers, her tone is sharp.“Yes, everything is fine, aside from dragging a soaking-wet gown across an entire castle. It would seem I owe someone payback.”
I grin, thinking of the vision she must be, dress clinging to her frame, a scowl on her lips, but magnificent in her rage. My response comes out a purr.“If punishment is what you mean, may I suggest a spanking? Though I prefer to give, I’m sure we can come to an agreement on giver and taker.”Her annoyance lessens as my thoughts cross the bond, and she pushes an image back that causes me to trip over my feet.“You have the dirtiest mind. I’ll only allow that if you hold the belt.”Heat burns through me, and more than anything, I wish I could be with her right now.“I’m nearly at the parlor. See you soon.”
“Not soon enough.”
Mikal and Thom walk silently beside me, but Mikal peers at me from the side of his eye, lips pulled tight.
“Yes? Go ahead, ask. I can see you’re dying to.”
He launches into questions. “Was that it? Were you just talking to her? You had this faraway look.”
“Yes, I checked in to make sure she was okay.” It’s still odd to say it aloud.
Mikal turns toward me, grinning. “That is sofreakingcool.”
Yes, it’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a very long time.
We walk past the dining hall and around one more bend before we’re at the parlor. The room is warm, decorated in deep purples and gold accents. Wooden arches bow from the ceiling into thick square posts that frame the bar where the kings stand, drinks in hand. The ladies sit playing cards at a round wooden table in the middle of the space, sipping from wineglasses.
I make sure we are visible to everyone before speaking to Mikal and Thom. “Wait for me back in the main entryway. I’ll meet you there once this is over.” The two bow, a prince’s guards showing deference—I hate it, but it’s part of the performance—before leaving.
I move toward the kings with a smile plastered to my face, but it falls when I notice Niethal is missing.
A servant hands me a glass, and I sniff it and scrunch my nose—I can’t stand the smell of whiskey. It reminds me too much of my father’s love of the drink. Swirling the amber liquid, I move toward King Tullid, who sits at the bar. I perch next to him, leaning a hip against the bar and ask, “Where’s Niethal?”
Ronan sips his drink and smiles warmly before answering, “He left in a hurry about twenty minutes ago after a guard reported something. He seemed angry and hasn’t returned yet.”
Shit.
I check the bond but sense nothing wrong. My nerves have me taking a sip of my drink, cringing at the taste.