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“Record time, dude,” I said, yanking on my clothes. “Go ahead and fly off the handle before you know what the hell’s going on, you idiot! You’re the one who told me to turn to Smoky if something happened to you. Well, as far as I knew, something did happen to you and I was beating my head against the wall trying to figure out how to rescue you!”
“I told you not to try! I told you not to come after me if something happened. I had to stop you from trying to find me because I knew this was going to be a long, dangerous undercover mission and I couldn’t let you blow it for me. I couldn’t let you put yourself in danger!”
We were both shouting now, once again back to the hate part of our love-hate relationship. In a weird way, it felt all too familiar and comfortable.
“Oh for the sake of the gods. Cover yourself up. You’re bouncing like a pair of jingle balls.” I threw his pants and belt at him. “Why the hell did you tell me to turn to Smoky if you knew what was going to happen? Good gods, man, are you really that stupid? I was crazy to ever get involved with you, but fat lot of good hindsight does me now.”
Trillian let his clothes fall without trying to catch them. He leapt forward, trembling as he stood there, his fists clenched. “Camille, I told you to turn to Smoky if something happened to me because . . . because . . .”
“Because you knew he could protect me. That’s what you said back then.” I wanted to cry but I was too angry. “And now that I did what you told me to, you’re jumping down my throat, calling me a traitor. Don’t you realize how terrified we all were? How terrified I was?”
He said nothing, just stared at me. I couldn’t read the look on his face now. He just waited for me to continue.
“I thought the goblins had you. I thought you were being tortured. I thought you were going to die. So I married Smoky, yes. And Morio. And we worked on tracing you—unsuccessfully, I might add. You’re damned good at hiding your signature. There were times that—in my heart—I was ready to give up. To accept that you were never coming back.”
“Why didn’t you?” His voice had gone scary quiet.
“Because I love you, damn it. I couldn’t give up hope. And then I ran into Darynal on a trip to Darkynwyrd and he told us he’d seen you. You don’t know how incredibly happy I was, even though I was furious. But at least I knew you were alive and on a secret mission, even though I didn’t know if you were ever coming back to me. Morio and Smoky kept me going during the past six months, you moron. Because without them, I would have been lost, thinking you might never return.”
And then I ran out of steam as the worry and stress of the past few months caught up with me. I dropped to the bed, staring numbly at my feet.
“Camille?” Trillian’s voice was low, the accusation as suddenly gone as it had come. “Camille, are you okay?”
I shrugged. “How the hell should I know? I’m just a pawn in this goddamn game the Fates have going on. I’m just here for them to use and abuse, to steal the phrase a certain creep recently used on me.” I cocked my head to one side and stared up at him. “You want to hate me? Fine. Go ahead, get in line. I love you, but I can’t do this. I can’t play these testosterone games. We’re in this together, Trillian. Delilah and Menolly, Morio and Smoky and Iris and Vanzir—”
“Vanzir? Who’s that?” He frowned.
“Why? Worried I’m fucking somebody else? Don’t be, he’s not really my type, but he’s on our side and that’s what counts.” A bitter taste settled on my tongue. What the fuck had I expected? I knew Trillian wouldn’t be happy with the situation. I should have anticipated him setting me up like this, though I never thought he’d do it right after we had sex. And speaking of sex . . .>Father let out a short laugh. “Yes, I know and that’s why I’m so anxious. Camille, Trillian’s correct. While I make no pretenses to liking the fact that you are a couple, the subject is moot and has been for a long time.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’m impatient because I must discuss certain matters with the King. There are still renegades supporting Lethesanar roaming the land, as well as other concerns that affect both Dahnsburg and Y’Elestrial, the demon menace among them. As a member of the Intelligence Agency, you should understand how fatal it can be to jump to conclusions.”
I let out a long breath. “Right. Okay then. So will we see Feddrah-Dahns today? I’d like to pay my respects to him. I miss him.” I’d grown fond of the Crown Prince during his brief stay over Earthside and thought about him every time I used the horn of the Black Unicorn.
“Oh yes, you’ll see him. But first, the King wishes to speak with your father.” Trillian motioned to two Dahns Unicorns standing nearby and they loped over. They wore sashes designating them as members of the royal guard. “His Excellence, Advisor Sephreh ob Tanu from Y’Elestrial is ready for his audience with His Highness. Please escort him into the throne room.”
One of them whinnied, tossing his mane, and turned to canter toward the central tent. Father followed, speaking in soft tones to the other guard who walked by his side.
I watched them go, wondering what was up, but it wasn’t my place to ask. By the time I spoke my first word, I’d learned that state secrets were just that. Many times Father had come home burdened with information that he couldn’t share with us. As the daughter of a Guardsman, I’d grown up accepting hierarchy and protocol as a matter of fact.
Turning back to the others, my gaze fastened on Trillian. The tension between us was palpable, a hunger that throbbed. Morio looked at the two of us, then motioned to Iris.
“Let’s explore the surrounding gardens,” he said.
She gave him a brief smile. “You mean, let’s give them some privacy? Good idea. Meanwhile, I’m looking for someone in the city and you might be able to help me find him. The Great Winter Wolf Spirit, to be precise.”
“Who’s that?” Morio asked. He glanced back at me and blew me a kiss, then followed Iris to the outer gardens.
I turned to Trillian, one thing on my mind. “Is there a place?” My voice was husky, and I tried to calm the trembling in my stomach. I’d tell him about Smoky and Morio in a while but right now all I could think about was how much I needed him. “Do we have time?”
Trillian gazed at me, his lips so full and luscious I wanted to bite them. “Come.” He held out his hand.
We hurried down a side street so small it might be an alley until we came to a door leading into a two-story building. Trillian pulled out a key and unlocked the door, and I followed him into a narrow foyer. The hallway led into a spacious apartment.
“Who lives here?” I asked, gazing at the finely crafted furniture and antiques that littered the room.
“I do,” Trillian said. “The King furnished me with this place during my stay.” He turned then, dropping all pretense. “Get your ass over here,” he said, opening his arms. “I need you, woman.”
