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Golden eyes meet mine, and she strides over to join me. “No customers today?”
“We’re a bit slow.” I glance back toward the planning room only to find it empty, but the closed curtain to the fitting room tells me where my picky customer hid.
Merri stops in front of me, her radiant smile drawing me closer, like a moth to the flame. After her ire of this morning, this happy transformation comes as a surprise.
I accept the cup she holds out and bend to kiss her cheek. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?”
“Just thought I’d drop by to bring you some tea.” Her golden eyes sparkle. “We’re on a short break.”
I glance past her and glimpse Webb standing sentinel on the street just outside my shop. “Ahh, is being freed of Johannsson’s company the reason for this good mood of yours?”
She rocks back on her heels. “That certainly helped.”
I take a sip, comforting warmth spreading through me. My lady is being coy, and I’m happy to play along. “Then what put this smile on your face? Not that I’m complaining.”
“Did you not see the parade earlier?” Her head tilts to the side, her ash-blond hair slipping over her shoulder. “It started in the Bone Yard, but it headed toward the tunnels, so I expected them to walk through the Grave Yard, too.”
A glance toward the window shows a peaceful street with no sign of revelry. “I didn’t hear it pass my shop.”
“Maybe they ran out of fireworks.” She dances from one foot to the other. “That asshole, Jordan Shawe, got eaten by a rabid dog. No more protests at our wall anymore.”
“Ahh. A satisfying end to that pest.” I take vicious pleasure in hearing of the man’s demise. “A pity I missed the celebration.”
“Well, you still have the chance. We’re celebrating at Hopper’s tonight.” She pokes me in the chest. “And no complaining about the food.”
“I would never.” I trap her hand over my heart. “Hopper’s menu changes make it more tolerable. Especially since they’ve adjusted it to cater to the tastes of Others. Their new burnt soufflé is not a complete disaster.”
Hopper’s, once a favorite twenty-four-hour diner that catered to the JTFPI, took the expansion of the demon-owned part of the city in stride and adjusted what they offer.
I admire the owner’s quick pivot after losing their primary source of revenue when the JTFPI office went dark.
Merri laughs, the throaty sound wrapping around me like a warm embrace. “Glad to hear you approve. Sharpe and I will swing by after our shift ends, and we can walk there together. It’ll be nice.”
She rises onto her toes to kiss the corner of my mouth before dropping back to her heels. “Have a good rest of your day, Darius.”
Fiery blood rushes through my veins. “You as well, my lady.”
She hums under her breath as she heads for the door, her hips swaying, and a sense of contentment settles over me. Not even when I served as a court guard did I feel this level of acceptance and belonging.
It’s amazing how true freedom illuminates the restrictions of my previous life.
The bell chimes over the door once more as she leaves, and I watch through the large display window at the front as she collects Webb. The two women continue their patrol down the street.
I take a sip of tea, the treat sweeter for the time it spent in my lady’s hands. “You can come out now.”
The changing room curtain swishes.
I turn back toward the design room to meet the man’s golden eyes, so much like his daughter’s. “Are you not too old for hiding, Lord Marius?”
He adjusts the white robe he wears. “I fear my daughter would misunderstand if she found me here.”
“She would assume you are here checking up on her.” I set my tea away from the expensive fabric. “Where would be the misunderstanding?”
He straightens to his full height, towering over me. “Have I asked about her?”
“No, but I wish you would get on with it.” I return the metal tiles to their tray. “I dislike being pulled into your subterfuge. My place back in Merri’s life is already tenuous. I will not lie to her.”
His eyes fix on me with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. I may have been a court guard for centuries, but that does not make me immune to a High Lord’s power.
