Page 55 of King’s Kismet

“For what? Being a brat about fucking mud?”

I didn’t know why I was arguing with him. It was only prolonging my silence. But these heated debates always led to angry makeup sex, and Palmer was good at holding up his threats of punishment.

I still wouldn’t submit to him… Though he would make me beg.

“I haven’t been the mage since we met.” His smooth voice flowed around my mind, spreading goosebumps across my arms. “Correct yourself, and I’ll consider giving you back your voice.”

I grinned at him, loving this bite of possession. They so rarely showed those emotions with me. It was always me being a growly, possessive asshole, and them with the crazy jealous mate. That Palmer was irritated with me over one word thrilled me to no end.

“Are you mad I didn’t call you mine?” I teased.

York scratched the top of his head. “What did you say to her?”

“Nothing,” Palmer answered, studying my face as I continued to grin.

“Did you threaten her?” Stone asked. “I can’t think of many things that make her smile like that.”

“Palmer,” I purred. “Are you unhappy with my tone, Love?”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “Are you going to be good?”

I shook my head.

“Is she ever?” Novak countered.

“Unmute her, Palmer,” Vaughn said, rolling his icy blue eyes. “She won’t lunge for your throat.”

“Speak for yourself, Fae,” I mumbled, knowing only Palmer could hear me. “I want to bite him while he tortures me, so we’re both nice and frustrated when we finally tear up my bed.”

“I don’t know,” Briggs rumbled. “She hasn’t sat here, being still, the whole time.”

Palmer flashed me a devious look before answering my wolf. “No. She was only still while she was trying to undo my magic.”

Which was what I needed to finish doing…

I worked to separate the bright yellows and oranges of Palmer’s magic, searching for that one piece that would unravel the spell. But the mage was getting too clever.

After studying the way his spell wove together when I pulled it apart, I began formulating a plan.

I nearly snorted, because that was a total lie.

There was no plan.

I eased my angelic magic to the surface, keeping the power just under my skin. An inky cloud of black swept through all the oranges and yellows of Palmer’s magic, frying it to a crispy brown.

And I fucking cackled when he stared at me, his stormy gray eyes wide with shock.

“Yeah. Fuck you very much,” I snarked. “I unmuted myself.”

“How did you do that?” Palmer asked, a bewildered smile stretching across his lips.

“Nope,” I responded, wiggling in Briggs’ grip as I tried to stand up.

“Love?” my mage softly prompted.

I sighed. “I don’t actually know. I just let the black angel magic in and basically cooked yours.”

“Can we enjoy the courtyard now?” York queried. “Or will you two start arguing again?”