King Collins leaned down, and I tilted my head to hide his mouth as he placed his lips at my ear, whispering, “As a thank you, and also for the hell you’re going to receive while she’s here, I’ll be raising the limit on your credit card.”
My lips twitched a smidgen, and I nodded silently before placing my napkin on my lap when the waitress placed my breakfast plate in front of me. The food didn’t appear wholly appetizing but I ate it anyway, knowing I would need my strength for Leric’s mom.
Chapter Seven
“Do you like that?” Leric purred quietly over my shoulder, startling me.
Glancing quickly back at him, I nodded once while catching my breath. I turned back to the hot pink, white, and black handmade bracelet I had been eyeing. The baubles on it were gaudy, almost like costume jewelry, but the piece was still small and dainty enough that it would probably look decent on my wrist. But this shop only took cash, not credit cards. “Yes, but I’m only looking.”
Leric took a step closer to my back, his front barely touching mine as he peered over my shoulder at it. “You’ve been looking at it for ten straight minutes.”
“It’s been that long?” I asked in shock, glancing around to see that our group had pulled farther away on this second shopping trip. The Rulers were more than thrilled to have their activities back in their own hands after my little spiel with Mrs Damon this morning. This shopping area they had picked was filled with little booths of homemade goods and an overabundance of flowers for sale. It was damned chocolate-box pleasantness for everyone.
“Actually, it would be eleven minutes now,” Leric mumbled, reaching an arm around me and pressing closer against my back to lift the bracelet from the cloth-covered table. He raised it above my head to inspect it closer. “At least it has some white.” He lowered it as his other palm engulfed my left wrist. I stared and stood perfectly still as he carefully worked the itsy-bitsy clasp, his large hands not fumbling with it as he put the bracelet on me. “Now you can stare at it while you move.” He handed two twenties to the lady behind the table, who more than gawked at us and our hair, before he placed his large, warm hand on the small of my back, guiding me away from the table without waiting for his change.
“I…um…” I stared in shock at my wrist where my new gifted bracelet dangled. I tried to keep up with his long strides as he kept a firm grip on my back, leading us closer to our group. “You didn’t have to do that.” I stared at it a bit more, grasping it was one of the first gifts not from Sin I had ever received. “Thank you.” That was what you said when you received gifts so I made sure to say it quickly, comprehending I was being incredibly rude.
He glanced down at me with his mouth open to say something…and did a double-take, his eyes perusing my face quickly, before he stopped in his tracks so quickly I almost banged into him. Silver eyes stared down into mine and he lifted his free hand, the one that hadn’t easily slid to my hip. He caressed the backs of his fingers over my cheek, making my skin tingle, before he gently brushed a strand of my white hair off my forehead. “You’re acting surprised someone bought you something.” His head cocked, his eyes darting between mine. Half his hair was pulled back today, showing his tanned, harsh features exotically under the sun. “Surely someone’s bought you gifts other than Sin. Birthdays or Christmas, perhaps?”
My lips lifted cynically. “No. My childhood wasn’t exactly what you would call traditional. Sin and I were bounced around between foster homes, normally each worse than the previous until a specific asshole took us in—which I don’t care to speak of—and then it was even worse. Gifts are not something I’m used to. Nor money. Your mother had the right of it. Right now I am broke except for the credit card I’m allowed to use as pay for my training as a Prodigy until I’m Queen, and then I get paid a regular wage. So yes, your kindness in buying the bracelet for me is surprising.” I smiled, a real one, even as he gazed at me with a clenched jaw, the muscles working on either side—apparently he hadn’t known that about my past. “Really, thank you, Leric.” I held up a finger. “But don’t think I’m a charity case. I don’t accept assistance from anyone, not even Sin. I work for my living. I’m not helpless.”
His nostrils flared and his jaw ticked for an extended amount of time. He was obviously thinking about everything I had said, his mind really working behind his now hooded gaze. “Who was the asshole who took you both in?”
My lips curved cruelly. “Someone who’s not worth mentioning.” I tilted my head in the direction our group had disappeared. “We should probably catch up.”
Again his jaw ticked. “I haven’t trespassed on your memories and I still won’t, but I would love to know if the fucker should be dead.”
I patted his clenched pec. “Someone will kill him one day, that much I promise you. A man that criminal, and with that many enemies, doesn’t stay alive forever.”
Dry words. “I did have to ask, didn’t I?”
“He’ll be dead eventually.” I tapped my temple. “You don’t need to regret saying you won’t trespass.”
His lips curled as he bent to stare directly into my eyes. “I never said for how long.”
My eyebrows lifted and I spoke wryly, “You’re feeling extra sly today, aren’t you?” His lips only curved further while a definite ornery gleam illuminated his gaze, so I quickly grabbed his wrist near my hip, pulling him this time. I lifted my other wrist, shaking my bracelet. “You just generously bought me a gift, which I love, so don’t go trying any sneaky antics now.”
He let out an extremely quiet, slow chuckle as he let me pull him along. His voice purred very softly behind me. “Who’s to say I already haven’t?” I blinked, glancing back while walking, and saw one slashed white eyebrow arch while his silver eyes flicked to my wrist. “You are happily wearing something bought with someone else’s money and not your hard-earned cash.” His red, lush lips lifted a smidgen, a small smile.
My eyebrows raised even further, and I quickly pulled my gaze from his mouth, turning my attention back to where we were walking. I was just now appreciating the startling fact that it was very possible I was underestimating this man. That prospect was more than mind-boggling, since I already knew how devious and powerful he truly was.
“It’s about time you two caught up,” Mrs Damon clipped, glancing at us just as I tugged Leric the rest of the way to re-enter our group. She was holding in her hands a vendor’s merchandise, a white purse, but her eyes flicked down to where I was gripping her son’s wrist—I quickly released it—then her brown eyes flicked to my wrist. She stared at my bracelet. Her nose crinkled a bit. Her attention altered back to the purse she was holding, inspecting it. “I see you purchased the bracelet you were ogling.”
I cleared my throat and started perusing the other purses on display. “Leric was kind enough to buy it for me.”
She made a huffing noise, her regard flicking to her son who stood behind me while I examined the girlish goods. “At least it has some white on it.”
I heard Leric snort behind me, but he didn’t actually laugh.
I told his mom, “That’s what he said.”
She nodded curtly, lowering the purse to lift another white one for inspection. “I taught him well.” A finger flicked at my black purse while she held up the white one she had in her hand. “This one would be much better than that hideous accessory.”
Extremely humored, my lips twitched. I lifted a black purse with a hot pink jeweled skull on the side. “I was actually thinking about this one.”
Mr Damon came out of nowhere, chuckling quietly and placing his arms around Mrs Damon’s waist from behind. Her stunned, distasteful countenance instantly turned to prim happiness as she peered back at him over her shoulder. Mr Damon stated in his soothing tone, “Please, Ms Jules, you’ll make my Tavia faint if you keep talking like that.”
Now that, I wouldn’t mind seeing.
Clearing my throat against that entertaining visual, I muttered, “To avoid shocking the innocent, I’ll try to keep m
y purchases today hidden.” I wasn’t playing by anyone’s rules, much less theirs.
Mrs Damon blinked at me, a slow eyebrow rising.
Mr Damon’s grin only widened.
Not wanting to stay trapped with this intimidating group for long, I cleared my throat again and covertly glanced about as I handed over my credit card to purchase the incredibly cute purse. I saw only one outlet of escape close by.
Dammit, not exactly ideal.
But with Mrs Damon’s eyes scanning my person again and her lips trembling like she was dying to start quizzing me, I quickly grabbed my credit card and receipt from the vendor and turned my eyes to the left—and stared pointedly into an amber gaze. I grasped the sack from the vendor, mumbling, “Thank you.”
With perfect timing, just as I stuffed my purse inside the plastic sack and Mrs Damon’s mouth opened, Brann’s deep rumble erupted from my left. “Caro, do you have a second? I’d like to talk to you about something.”
I inhaled casually, ignoring the three spirit Elementals standing next to me, and peered up into sparkling amber eyes. His loose black curls dangled around his tanned, striking face. “Sure. I want to hit that vendor up there.” I pointed ahead, not having a clue where I was really indicating. “We can talk along the way.”
He nodded securely in the face of my blatant lie. “That’s fine.” He dipped his head at the spirit Elementals. “If you’ll excuse us.” He lifted a hand and gestured for us to move forward, not giving the Elementals a moment to speak. I slipped outside of their group and began walking silently beside Brann. When we were a decent distance from them, Brann broke the quiet tension between us, whispering, “It must have been a real emergency for you to resort to asking me for help.”
I chuckled at his truth. “Being cornered by them does constitute an emergency.”
He snickered right along with me, steering us in the direction of a booth with homemade scarves. We ducked under the hanging silk, cotton, and cashmere into the small tent so that we were somewhat hidden by the hanging colorful bits and pieces. He spoke with soft humor. “We had been doing so well at ignoring each other, too.”
With a sardonic curve of my lips, I glanced up at him. He stood close by my side in the hidden alcove. I allowed myself the moment to stall and stare at his features as the merchant stepped outside her tent to help a customer. I hadn’t permitted myself this luxury in so long.
Deep amber eyes roamed my face just as gradually. Like my own, his gaze wasn’t as heated as before. Too much had happened, too much had changed us.
Air slowly rushed past my lips and I whispered softly, “Friends it is.”
A black, thin eyebrow lifted. “Friends is enough.” His lips twitched. “Besides, I believe you have your hands full.”
I rolled my eyes. “That I do.”
He placed his hands in his pockets. “So…we can stop avoiding each other now.”
“Thank God,” I gushed, grinning from ear to ear. “It was a little awkward.”
“We should have talked sooner.” And his gaze was that of a Prodigy’s.
I nodded swiftly. “No more of this shit.”
“Agreed.” His lips curved up on one side. His mouth opened, but he slammed it shut.
Our attention snapped to the front of the tent.
We instantly took a step back from each other.
Elder Merrick had slipped through the hanging scarves. Silent.
His eyes narrowed on Brann.
The Elder jerked a thumb over his shoulder, toward the exit.
Brann groaned, “We were just—”
“Now, Mr Johnson,” Elder Merrick growled, a bit of wolf in his tone.
It was an alpha’s command.
Brann ground his teeth together but nodded respectfully. He peered directly at me, stating coolly, “Maybe we can have a beer sometime. Just hang out.” As friends.
I nodded. “I like that idea.”
He actually shoved Elder Merrick’s shoulder as he passed by him, not appreciating the direct order to leave.
The Elder didn’t notice the angry blow. The more experienced Shifter didn’t even glance back at him. His navy, complex eyes stared directly into mine. He said not a word, but his silent regard was enough. Intimidating and gorgeous, he managed to get his point across without opening his lush mouth.
His stare stated: Stay the fuck away from the Prodigy Shifter.
I nibbled on my bottom lip and feigned dry humor that I wasn’t feeling. “Our conversations are so stimulating, don’t you think?”
Without one syllable spoken, he turned and slipped outside the tent.
I waved my purse where he used to stand, pretending he was still there. “It’s always a pleasure, Elder Merrick.” I whacked the air once for good measure.
Chapter Eight
Not at all in the mood—and that would be an understatement—I glared at King Collins where we sat at the dinner table. I had skipped lunch with everyone, but I had managed to make it for this fun-filled meal. Although now I had to deal with King Collins, who held one of my earbuds in his left hand after rudely yanking it from my ear.
I lowered my fork, ignoring the fact everyone at the table had gone mute, and glowered into the brown, scowling eyes of my King. “Do you mind? I was listening to that.”
“Take these out,” he demanded quietly, tugging a bit. I quickly slapped a hand over the other earbud still in my ear, keeping it steady. “Others have been trying to speak with you, and you can’t hear them.”
I raised my brows, stating dryly, “That’s the point.” There was only so much I could take after Sin’s departure. I jerked on the cord to my stolen earbud. “Give it back.”
An incredulous expression passed over his features—I had never blatantly refused him or been flat out rude to him in public. He quickly schooled his features, ordering me even more quietly, “Caro, take them out now.”
My lips began to curve. I was more than pissed with my fucking life. “Or what?”
I was pretty sure no one at the table blinked.
King Collins took a very slow breath in through his nose, his eyes never leaving my face as they scanned each of my features, and just as steadily his eyes began to narrow. “What you want right now, Caro, what you’re pushing for…” He bent, placing his sharp gaze directly in front of my glaring eyes. “It won’t solve your problems. Cut the shit out and do as you’re told.”
I gritted my teeth, my jaw muscles clenching and unclenching as I breathed in shallow pants. I eyed his unwavering, unforgiving eyes, feeling downright irrational and violent, but a flash of sanity returned and I knew without a doubt…he was right.
I lifted my left hand and took the other earbud out, glancing down to turn the music off. Keeping my trap shut, I pulled the other one from his now slack fingers and tucked both earbuds into my top. Raising my fork, I waved my other hand at everyone else as I stared at my plate, muttering, “The drama’s done. You can quit staring.”
The conversation was sluggish to resume around the table.
One of the people I seriously wanted nothing to do with right now, asked, “Caro, you disappeared during the shopping trip. Did you find a store to hoard as your own?”
I snorted at my plate, taking another bite of my mashed potatoes. I calmly chewed, then I wiped my mouth before I peered up to Mrs Damon. She sat directly across from me, her husband to her left and Leric on her right. I stated, “No shops held my attention. Instead, I had the most enlightening conversation by myself, and I decided a bit of solitary reflection was in order afterward.” A smart-ass, I was.
Leave me alone, Satan-mom.
Her head cocked and she still pushed. “I’ve often found inspiration comes where you least expect it.” She sipped at her glass of white wine. “Did your alone time of reflection produce any results?”
I teetered my head, actually thinking that question through for a moment, then I nodded. Without blinking, I stated bluntly, “Yes, I came to the conclusion my romantic life is
an enormous fucked-up mess, and the only thing I’m halfway decent at is being the cold-hearted, criminal bitch my upbringing taught me to be to survive.” My mouth just wouldn’t shut up with this woman—she crawled under my skin that badly. Silence had overcome the table again as I spooned my mashed potatoes. “Well, you know, that was my conclusion, after as much answer-searching self-reflection that a childish twenty-three-year-old can have.”
King Collins was choking beautifully on his drink. “Maybe you should put the earbuds back in.”
I blinked up at him, innocent. “Did I say something wrong? Others had questions, and I’m answering them.” I smiled sweet as pie. “And I’m answering honestly.”
He gritted his teeth and glanced at Mrs Damon. She was obviously shell-shocked, so he asked her something mundane; it was too boring to even listen to.
I went back to eating my food peacefully.
My munching was wonderful until our waitress stopped behind my chair.
She bent as she slipped an envelope over my shoulder. “This came for you, Ms Jules.”
Eyebrows puckered in confusion, I quickly wiped my hands and thanked her. The envelope was void of any markings except for my name written on the front. The handwriting appeared vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place it immediately. That was odd enough and I felt my eyes narrow. I leaned back on my chair to open it so King Collins and Elder Farrar next to me couldn’t see. And barely slipping the sheet out of the envelope, I felt myself go cold inside, that cold-hearted bitch I had mentioned only two minutes before now invading my entire being.
There was only one word written on the lodge’s simple stationery.
It read: Jasper.
I pushed the sheet back into the envelope, placing it in my purse, and stood casually from the table. Gently resting a hand on King Collins’s shoulder, I whispered against his ear, “I’ve got a call I need to take at the front desk. I’ll be back in just a second.”
He nodded, paying hardly any attention, deep in his conversation with Mrs Damon.
I quickly turned, my eyes instantly scanning my surroundings and the people within the restaurant. The exit was my destination, but I stalled as my head swung to the right…
Chosen Fool (Forever Evermore Book 5) Page 5