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It took quite a bit of control not to bark out a laugh. “Believe it or not, buddy, I think most people already know.”
“What?Nooooo. Everyone just thinks of us as elegant, cold, liars who only care for gain, which is silly because we literally can’t lie.”
“Well, if you’re so naturally flirty, why haven’t you turned on those charms on Princess Seraphina? You’ve interacted often enough.”
I might have been breaking girl-code by saying it so blatantly, but I figured if things went sideways, I’d convince Aodin he was drunk and misunderstood me. He couldn’t lie, but I had no such restrictions.
Aodin let out several amusing sputters. “Excuse me. I know I’m inebriated, but are you asking me why I don’t flirt with the princess who has the most powerful parents on the continent and happen to be raging bigots?”
Oh, wow, I’d never heard the fae speak so openly against the crown. I was surprised yet again, and I wondered how much of Aodin was smoke and mirrors, and how much was just a cryptid surviving in a hostile environment.
“So, it’s not that she’s a latent wolf?”
Aodin stood, his spine ramrod straight, and his expression defiant. “Anyone who looks down on latent shifters is a fool and stuck in ignorant ways which don’t behoove us as a people.” He spoke with such intense conviction that I felt a bit fonder of the man. I’d really misjudged my first impression of him.
“For your information, I don’t flirt with the princess because she is literally royalty. Beautiful, kind, sweet royalty in a cesspit of poison, while I am just a low-level ambassador, too stunned to speak in her presence when I first met her.”
Oh? I certainly approved of Aodin’s reaction. Deciding to plant a little seed, I patted his arm.
“You know, I hear the princess has a strong interest in fae culture. You should talk with her about it sometime.”
“Really?” He hiccupped and sat back down. “You don’t think it would be improper?”
I just shrugged. “If it is, who cares? If it’s something she enjoys, then isn’t it worth it?”
He took another long drink before nodding. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”
“I often am. It just takes people some time to realize it.”
I sank into my chair, ready to likewise sink into my book, when the door burst open and a fox padded across the room. Not for the first time, I watched them shift into the same attendant as before.
“Healer Everton—” she started, but I was already standing.
“Lead the way.”
Chapter 20
Kai
I checked my watch like it was going to tell me anything I didn’t already know. It was my first day away from Ayla’s side, and all I could think about was getting back to her.
I knew she was safe in the library with Darla, pouring through books, but I still wanted to be there.
Watching Ayla fight against insurmountable odds to save Mad Dog was a revelation. A terrifying revelation, but one, nonetheless.
I’d always known she was powerful, but our physical connection while she went to magic levels I’d never seen before was an entirely different experience. I was mated to someone truly incredible, that was for certain.
I wanted to get back to her, especially since Oren received an update from Canid.
I hadn’t told my men I had my second in command communicating back home, but I figured it was best to be in touch with new leadership at the fort.
There were suspicions the Shrouded Shriek had resurfaced in a particularly brutal attack on a town on the edge of Camdaria’s borders.
Naturally, they didn’t know if it was him for sure, especially since there were no survivors, but it did follow the warlock’s horrific patterns.
Of course, that made me pretty nervous. What if the Shrouded Shriek decided to attack the fort while we were gone? I was glad Ayla wouldn’t be there for the battle. I didn’t know how well Canid would do without her, Darla, Oren, Mad Dog, and me. I knew I sounded arrogant, but we really were a force of nature.
“As I was saying, Your Highness, dearest Felicity is due to arrive today if you’d like to greet her and escort her to her guest quarters,” my uncle said, sounding both weaselly and delighted at the same time.
