“I’ve got other guests, you know,” I called after him. “Despite all the time I spend picking up after your band of schoolboys.”
He didn’t turn and my words rolled right off his armoured back. Rage bloomed within me, tightening my stomach, my limbs, myskin. Before I knew what I was doing, I stormed along the bar after him.
“You’ve claimed all buttworooms in my inn. That’s thirteen rooms Icouldhave leased to travellers heading for Kingsborough.”
I raised the plank at the end of the bar and it fell with a shudderingthunkwhen I stepped into his path, at the same moment that he reached out for the door. His hand brushed my arm but he didn’t fall back as any decent man might. He didn’t even falter, just stepped in fluidly so we were almost toe to toe, arm rising above my head to press his palm flat to the door behind me. My breath snagged in my too-tight lungs. He didn’t quite cage me in, but it was a close thing, his broad body angled only slightly away. By the slight darkening of the green in his eyes, he clearly meant to have me swooning, too.
It shouldn’t surprise me – that a man who looked likethatin his armour would be so bloody arrogant.
I was not swooning. That would be ridiculous. Impossible, actually, in my current state. My skin still tight all over, overwhelmingly hot and almost itchy with irritation. I glaredstonily up at him, refusing to back up against the door or slip past him, despite the slight panic clawing its way up my throat. As long as he didn’t touch me, it would be fine. As long as he didn’t touch me – I could keep my Flame in check.
Maddeningly, the Captain smirked.
“Let’s hear it then.”
My voice didn’t shake. Itdid not.
“Yule is justdaysaway. Do you know how many people travel through Stormsby at this time of year?”
“Considering I spend my days interviewing every soul who comes in or out of your charming little village?” He shrugged. “Yes, I would say I have some idea.”
“Then you know how much business I’m missing out on.”
“And as we’ve established, the crown isprovidingyou with business.”
“That’s not the point!”
Whatwasmy point? He was awfully close, the air between us warm with our shared breath. I shook my head, to clear it at first, and then again, irritably.
“It’s not just about the rooms, it’s about the rowdy little boys occupying them, occupying my home. It’s about the needless wear and tear of two dozen men roaming around wheremyfamily —”
Nope.
I cut myself off, despite the mild flicker of interest in his eye. My family was none of his business. I huffed a breath and lifted my chin.
“Andyou’re chasing away customers,” I said instead. “I haven’t seen most of my regulars since the very first day you marched in here. Nobody wants to drink in the company of Kingsmen.”
“Hurtful.”
“You’rehurtingmy livelihood.”
“Hmm.” The sound came from the depths of his chest, low and rumbling and almost beastly, more feline than human. My Flame seemed to enjoy the sound though, rising to stroke forlornly at the confines of my chest like a cat mewling at a closed door.
I swallowed, ignoring it.
“What does that mean?” I pressed.
The Captain sighed, metal clad chest heaving dangerously close to my own. “I suppose it means: leave it with me. You’ll have your business, or your due compensation.”
He began to step away, but he’d barely shifted, his hand still braced above me when my own hand darted out to catch him, curling around the cool steel shielding his forearm. The Captain halted, stiffening. He looked slowly from my hand to my face with his dark brows tight. I let him go immediately.
“I–” My heart hammered.
My hands balled at my sides, face burning, the frantic heat of my magic and my pulse overlapping. I blurted my words out in a thoughtless rush. “I just want to know when you’releaving.”
The Captain’s stare was incredulous.
“You do realise we’re here toprotectyou?”
