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“If my brothers found out…” I leave the rest of the sentence to his imagination.
Nottuza is quiet for a beat, and then he asks, “Did you speak with the fate who sees all that’s come to pass about me?”
I nod. “June told me how your brother raised you from the dead. About Ledger and Leroy and the rest. It’s the real Nightbound Soldier story.”
“Then you know everything.”
“What if I wanted to get to know you more?” I swallow, suddenly nervous he might refuse. I’ve always flirted openly and freely, seeing no reason to be coy. It’s not in my nature. Seduction is a game of give and take, and while I never needed to give much, I’ve never had to seduce anyone immune to my magic or anyone as controlled as this vampire either.
Nottuza’s legs spread wider.
Is he inviting me to sit? Does he know that males in the Summer Court spread their legs, silently inviting a female to sit with them? He’s from another time, a past so far gone that nobody besides June remembers it. He could be getting more comfortable and not inviting me at all. If he were any other male, I’d plop myself in his lap and flirt, but for some reason, I can’t flirt as openly with Nottuza.
“That’s exactly my problem, Princess. You wanting to get to know me more. Me watching you from the shadows.”
“Now we’re talking juicy goodies. Go on, soldier, don’t let me stop you.”
“What would you like me to say?”
“Explain why you’re visiting me at night.”
“Because I like to watch you. I said that already.”
“It’s not enough. I want to know what this is between us.” I motion with my hand from him to me.
“I have no answer,” he says.
“Do you mean you don’t know?”
He’ll never admit it if he doesn’t, and I know better than to ask a proud general a direct question such as that, for he could say hurtful things like “there is no us.” I have no idea why that would even be hurtful. I barely know him.
Yet, the fate intervened, and that must mean something, but perhaps only to me.
I shake my head. “Never mind,” I say. “I shouldn’t be so forward with you. The pressure in the air and change of altitude is designed to confuse one’s mind. Enjoy your ride, General, and thank you for fetching me in person. My brother will be pleased you offered your services and protection during my stay at the Winter Court.” I pull back both physically in my seat and with my magic, emotionally and mentally.
Business. We can talk about business. “From what I understand, the Winter Court repairs have been going rather slowly. Where will the mating season be held?”
Nottuza rests his hands on his thighs. He has long, elegant, masculine fingers with perfectly shaped, sharp claws, which are retracted now. This also tells me he’s controlled, while I’m flustered and unable to settle in the cabin with him. He takes up so much space, so much air. In his presence, I struggle to breathe property. Good fates. I don’t understand how this male has such an effect on me.
“They will hold the season in the Ice Princess,” he says.
The only tower left standing after Aamako’s fight for his throne. “Is that where I’ll be staying?”
“You will stay in the remote village, locked underground, away from everyone.”
My eyes widen.
Nottuza chuckles. “That’s what I wished for, but since the fate took the matter of your arrival into her own hands, you’re staying at the Ice Princess.”
“It sounds as if you would rather I stayed at my court.”
“Correct.”
As a Summer princess, I am a perfect example of good fairy manners, even when people hurt me. “Ouch,” is all I say, swallowing the expletives I’m mentally hurling his way.
“Only because your arrival complicates everything for me.”
“Thank you. Your honesty sounds so much better now.” I turn up my nose. “You can say what you will, soldier. The fate invited me, and you will deal with it.”
