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Another pang shot through my chest, and I furiously pushed it away. Jaiel could do what he wanted.
"Well," he cleared his throat. "I suppose if we're going to be stuck somewhere again, at least this place is nicely furnished."
"Indeed," I said. "And the people are nice. Especially that Faera woman."
Jaiel grunted noncommittally and strode over to a tall painting of a fantastical, mountaintop city, tilting his head to get a better look.
I cleared my throat and tried again, trying to smother the burning feeling growing in my chest. "You know, if you're still low on charisma, you may want to pursue her. She certainly seemed into you."
He straightened, then turned toward me, lips curled in a grin. "You needn't be jealous, Princess. I'm more than satisfied at the moment."
"Jeal — Jealous?" I stammered. "I'm not jealous." Liar. "Not at all. I mean, what we did was just some meaningless fun. I really just did it to get the mission back on track."
He frowned, some emotion hiding behind those blue eyes as he stepped closer.
"Really?" he asked. "You did it for the mission and nothing more?"
His gaze bore into me, seeming to search for something.
I wasn't sure what to say. The mission was vital. Ridding the world of relics had been my sole purpose for the past two years.
But I couldn't deny that some part of me screamed that perhaps he meant something to me, as well.
Hells if I could tell him that, though!
He was Prince Jaiel Kierstall for fuck's sake — known for fucking anyone — a self-absorbed Fae with loyalty to none …
So, I just nodded, heart twisting painfully against my ribs.
Jaiel's jaw tensed, and for a moment, I worried his feelings might be hurt. But, in true Jaiel fashion, he grinned and let out a long sigh.
"Thank the gods!" he said, stepping away. "For a moment there, I got a bit worried. Sometimes my lovers get clingy. But you get it." Something shifted behind his eyes, and he tilted his head toward me conspiratorially. "Since we're on the same page, perhaps we should pick up where we left off last night, though? I could use a good fuck, and you filled my charisma better than anyone has in months …"
"Afraid not," I said, ignoring the charisma still burning in my chest, begging me to agree to his suggestion. "I don't bed the same person twice."
"Never?" he asked.
"Never," I lied. "Now, if you'll excuse me," I turned to the nearest door. "I'd like to wash up and figure out the next steps for our mission."
"Wait, what?" he asked, frowning. "What mission? You heard what Korym said. Lady Frexin replaced us."
I looked over my shoulder at him and arched a brow. "And you really think we can trust what that man says? Who's to say he isn't lying?"
"What reason could he possibly have to lie? Besides, wouldn't it be nice to stay here for a while? Help Tye. Go back to Liam. You know, enjoy life for a minute."
Stay here!? I shook my head and turned back to face him.
The idea of sitting around while some other team was potentially killed, and a twisted relic ran free made me physically ill.
"If you want to do that, I won't stop you. Your obligation to this mission was over the second he told us she'd sent another team. But I can't do the same."
"Can't?" he asked, voice low. "Or won't?"
I gritted my teeth and met his flashing gaze. "Both! You haven't seen what those relics can do, Jaiel!"
Memories of Karemi flashed through my mind — parents killing kids, spouses killing each other, friends — all because of that damn relic.
"I can't just risk it on the word of an untrustworthy mage OR the skill of an unknown team. This is what I was born to do!"
