“I wouldn’t ask permission,” he said with a chuckle and kissed her hair. “If you won’t tell me anything more, go to sleep.”
“You didn’t tell me what else you learned,” she grumbled, closing her eyes and burrowing deeper against his side.
“Nothing much. It’ll keep. We’ll talk more after you’ve had a chance to rest.”
“All right,” she whispered, thinking back to the events that happened earlier. Something still troubled her, and she wouldn’t be able to sleep until she got an answer. She opened her eyes again. “Where did you get the dwarven ale you were drinking the other night?”
He arched his brow. “The one you barely touched?” When she nodded, he frowned. “I’ll have to check with Evo. He managed to acquire a case from a smuggler.”
“Was it a full case?”
Bane frowned. “I’m not sure. Why?”
“I went to Terrance’s home earlier tonight. He had a bottle of the same ale. Malek mentioned it was rare and took the bottle with him. I’m wondering if it came from the same case.”
Bane narrowed his eyes. “You need to tell me more about this Malek. If he had a hand in this—”
“I don’t believe he’s responsible for the attack,” she interrupted, refusing to let him continue with that line of thought.
If Malek had meant her any harm, she wouldn’t have been able to mark him with protective magic. The mark wasn’t working quite right, but she should have been able to sense malicious intent. That was part of the reason she’d done it, but she didn’t intend to admit that to either Bane or Dax. They had a habit of killing off any perceived threats, regardless of whether they were real or not.
Sending a calming wave of her power over Bane, she continued, “Malek’s a smuggler. That’s how Dax managed to drug me earlier. He used a bottle of Faerie wine from Malek’s supplies. The dwarven ale we found may have originated from the same shipment, but I don’t believe Malek had anything to do with the attack.”
Bane caressed her back, sliding his hand under her shirt to touch her bare skin. “When did he arrive in town?”
“The day before the attack,” she admitted, cuddling against Bane once more. “Dax let him sit at the docks for a full day before granting him an audience.”
“Of course. Dax always enjoys lording over his subjects,” Bane muttered and then sighed. “Get some sleep, little one. I suspect you’re going to need it.”
Chapter Eight
A bell chimed in greeting as Malek pushed open the door to Esmelle’s shop. The magical ward protecting the shop tickled his skin and heated his necklace, but he ignored it, recognizing it was only to prevent anyone from entering who may intend harm.
The store was busier than he expected, and a couple of the customers glanced over at him briefly before turning back to the shelves they were browsing.
Bottles of liquids and dried herbs lined the shelves on the walls, while plants in various stages of drying were tied to racks overhead. A fire crackled cheerfully in the fireplace, and several candles were placed around the room, providing a cozy atmosphere. An older woman was seated in an overstuffed chair by the fireplace sipping from a steaming cup, a teapot on the table next to her.
Rather than the cold and dank atmosphere he’d experienced in some other witches’ shops, this entire store felt more like a warm and inviting home. It only elevated his opinion of Esmelle. She obviously didn’t need the traditional trappings to encourage business.
The woman he’d met the day before flitted around the shop, smiling and laughing with customers. Esmelle was once again wearing bright and vivid colors, and she smiled as she handed one of her customers a small cloth pouch. “Add a small pinch of this mixture to your bath water. You’ll be feeling better in no time.”
“Bless you, Esme,” the elderly woman said, clutching the bag tightly to her chest. “I thank the gods every day for bringing you to Akros. I don’t know what we’d do without you.”
Esmelle beamed a smile at her and walked the old woman to the door. “You know it’s always a pleasure to have you visit me, Lenore. But next time, I hope it’s just because you’d like to share a cup of tea.”
“Oh, I’ll be back soon enough. You couldn’t keep me away.”
Esmelle closed the door behind the woman and turned to face Malek. Her eyes twinkled in amusement. “I was told a handsome ship captain might be visiting my garden today.”
Malek chuckled. “Oh?”
“Mm-hmm.” She gestured toward a door at the back of the shop. “I think you’ll find my garden quite… fascinating. There are all sorts of lovely flowers and a few poisonous ones. You might want to step lightly.”
Before he could respond, Esmelle swirled away in another wave of color and toward another customer. Malek grinned and headed for the heavy wooden door. This time, when he opened it, there was no sensation of the warding, which led him to believe it also encompassed the garden area. But what he hadn’t been expecting was the explosion of colors and scents permeating the air.
The garden was a wonder with almost every type of flower and plant imaginable. He paused, unable to do anything but take in the sight of the unusual oasis in the middle of the disreputable city. It reminded him of the gardens from home, especially the one that had been lovingly tended by his grandmother for years until she’d passed away. He’d never thought to see their equal again.
Malek took a few steps on the cobblestone path and then halted as a furious buzzing noise rapidly approached. He turned to see a tiny man wearing a pair of overalls flying in his direction. The small pixie wielded a miniature spear and brandished it in his direction.
“Halt! State your purpose, stranger.”
The high-pitched sound of other voices could be heard, and Malek caught sight of several other pixie faces peering at him from the foliage. Making an effort to keep the smile off his face, he held up his hands. “My name is Malek. Sabine’s expecting me.”
“Sabine? You must have the wrong garden. There’s no pixie named Sabine here. Begone,” the pixie sneered, still waving his weapon threateningly.
“Hush, Barley!” A tiny female pixie flew out from underneath a large leaf. Her bright-yellow dress put him in mind of one of the flowers gracing the garden. She darted close to him, looking him up and down curiously. “Don’t mind Barley. Sabine put him in charge of defending the garden. He takes his job very seriously.”
“I can see that,” Malek agreed, both curious and fascinated by the pixies.
Pixies were particular about inhabiting certain gardens, choosing their homes with care. They naturally gravitated to areas with a Fae presence, and it shouldn’t have surprised him to see them in the southern lands. But he hadn’t anticipated seeing them in a city garden plot.
“I’m Blossom. I’ll take you to Sabine.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Malek glanced over at a scowling Barley. The little pixie still hadn’t bothered to lower his weapon.
“I’m watching you,” Barley warned, waving his spear in Malek’s direction and causing a shimmer of pixie dust to flutter to the ground. “Any sudden movements and you’ll feel the sharp edge of my thorn.”
Blossom giggled, a light, merry sound reminiscent of bells. She motioned for Malek to follow her and flew down the path. He kept to the cobblestones laid out as a charming walkway and moved deeper into the garden. Everywhere he looked, more exotic plants and flowers greeted him. The sound of trickling water caught his attention, and he wondered if they had a private spring here too.
As he turned a corner, he nearly stopped in his tracks. Sabine knelt a short distance off the cobblestone path in a patch of sunlight as she collected some plants. She hummed a wordless tune as she worked, and he was taken aback at the vaguely familiar melody. Her hair was once again braided, but this time flowers had been woven into the braids instead of poisoned hairpins. For the first time since he’d met her, he had the feeling he was seeing the real Sabine.
She looked up as he approached a
nd gave him a warm smile that caused his heart to skip a beat. Brushing the dirt off her hands, she picked up the plants she’d chosen. “You managed to find me.”
“So I did,” he said, forcing his hands to stay by his side to keep from touching her. In the daylight and with the sun caressing her skin, she was even more captivating. It was going to be next to impossible to focus on why he was here.
Blossom landed gracefully on Sabine’s shoulder and whispered something in her ear. Sabine grinned, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Mmm. I agree. Perhaps I will.”
Blossom giggled at Sabine’s words, and the little pixie darted off back into the underbrush.
Sabine tilted her head. “I need to take these plants to the workshop. Will you walk with me?”
“Of course.” Malek fell into step beside her. “This garden is extraordinary, and not just because of the plants. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around pixies.”
Sabine glanced up at him. “You’ve been around pixies before?”
“They used to visit my grandmother in her gardens when she was still alive. They disappeared around the same time she left this world. I didn’t connect the two until now.”
Sabine nodded. “Pixies can go into mourning when they lose a loved one. They search out sources of nature magic, but when it’s gone, not even the life in the garden can sustain them when they’re grieving. Many times, they’ll abandon a garden in search of a new source.”
Malek studied the flowers surrounding them, but he only caught a few flashes of color before the pixies disappeared again. It was impossible to know how many were living in the garden. “They appear to be flourishing here.”
“Esmelle’s a very talented nature witch.”
He made a noncommittal noise. Esmelle might very well be a talented witch, but he suspected Sabine was the real reason the pixies had decided to take up residence here. It wasn’t a secret pixies preferred to be around those with Fae blood.
Sabine led him toward a small wooden structure that was completely open on one side. It offered some protection from the elements, but it had been constructed in such a way to make it blend in with the rest of the gardenscape.
A large table had been built directly into one of the walls of the structure. On top were several bottles filled with various liquids and dried herbs. Sabine placed her plants on the table, and Malek caught sight of another pixie darting out from beneath the underbrush. This one wore bright-pink, which was the only way he was able to identify it was a different pixie than Blossom. A pink flower in her hands matched her dress. The pixie perched on Sabine’s shoulder, placed the flower in one of Sabine’s braids, and then giggled as she flew away. Sabine didn’t react, which made him think this was a common occurrence.
Malek’s mouth twitched in a smile. “The flowers in your hair are a nice touch.”
“What?” Sabine frowned and patted at her braids. She gave him a sheepish smile. “Be careful, or you’ll end up with some too. They like doing sneak attacks.”
Malek chuckled. “I’ll keep an eye out. What did Blossom say to you before she disappeared?”
Sabine gave him a mischievous smile. “She said you’re extremely handsome, even though you’re much too tall for her.”
Malek arched his brow, determined to thank the little pixie next time he saw her. “Oh?”
“She also thinks I should take you as a lover.”
Malek paused, remembering Sabine’s response to Blossom’s comment. Damn. He wasn’t about to let that go. “Perhaps you will?”
Sabine bit her lower lip as though trying to suppress a laugh. “Mm-hmm. I’m considering it.”
“I think we can do a bit better than that,” Malek said with a grin and moved in closer.
She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with humor. Unable to resist her for a moment longer, he lowered his head and kissed her. This time, there was no threat of approaching guards and he could take his time.
She tasted even better than he remembered, like berries or something else equally sweet. The scent of blooming flowers surrounded him, and when her body softened against his, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. He swept in, taking control of their kiss, and when she whimpered in response, his thoughts fractured.
He wanted this woman with an urgency that defied all logic or rational thought. No one had ever come close to eliciting this same level of response. She ran her hands up his chest and wound her arms around his neck. It only flamed his desire for her even hotter.
Lifting her, he placed her on the table and she wrapped her legs around him, drawing him closer. It still wasn’t enough. Her magic flowed over his skin, inciting him to respond, but the warding necklace he wore prevented it from happening. Malek nearly yanked it off, but only barely managed to restrain himself. He wanted Sabine in every way imaginable, but it was too risky. If his suspicions about her were correct, she’d never allow him this close again when she learned who he was. The realization was enough to cool some of his ardor and replace it with regret.
Malek forced himself to break their kiss, but he couldn’t bring himself to release her. He hesitated, desperately wanting to kiss her again. She blinked up at him with passion-filled eyes that were almost his undoing. If he knew she wouldn’t run, he’d damn this entire operation for just one night with her. But he suspected one night would never be enough.
He reached up to tuck one of her braids behind her pointed ear and trailed his hand downward along her soft skin. She trembled at his touch, and he had the sudden urge to nibble on her ear. Without doubt, she was the most alluring and captivating woman he’d ever met—and he wanted to possess her completely. Even now, he couldn’t stop touching her.
“I think you almost have me convinced,” she said with a teasing smile, running her hands under his shirt and up his bare chest. She infused her touch with a hint of magic, and it was enough to fracture his weakening resolve. The thought of having her hands on other parts of his body was one of the most erotic things he’d ever envisioned, and he wasn’t going to be able to hold back much longer.
Several pixies called out a warning, and a few seconds later, footsteps crunched on the cobblestone path toward them. He spun around, slapping his hand to his weapon as Esmelle and Javyn approached. Javyn’s eyes narrowed on him, his expression anything but friendly. Dammit. Dax would definitely hear about this, and that would require some tactical adjustments to his plans.
Esmelle froze and then winced. “Ah, er, sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt. Javyn has an urgent message from Dax.”
Sabine hopped off the table. “What is it?”
Javyn’s jaw clenched, but he walked over to Sabine and held out a scroll. Sabine frowned and took it, unrolling it to read the message. She lifted her head. “When does he need this?”
“Before tonight.”
Sabine frowned and rolled up the parchment. She offered to Javyn. “I’m not interested. Tell him to find someone else.”
Javyn didn’t take the message. Instead, he held out a small engraved box. “Will you reconsider? Dax is willing to pay whatever you believe is fair, and he wanted me to offer you a gift.”
Sabine tilted her head to study the man but made no move to accept the box. “Are you asking for my help, Javyn? Or are you asking me on behalf of Dax?”
Javyn frowned and lowered the box. “The gift is from Dax, but I’m asking that you at least consider his request.” He paused for a moment and then added quietly, “No one else can do what you can in the time allotted. If necessary, Dax will do this without you. But it will greatly increase the risks to everyone involved, including Dax.”
Malek frowned. He didn’t trust Dax, especially after he’d drugged Sabine, but it wasn’t his place to intervene. Regardless of what had happened a few minutes earlier between him and Sabine, it didn’t erase the history she shared with Dax.
Esmelle huffed. “Come on, Sabine. You know you’re probably going to give in anyway. Let’s see what sparkly Dax dec
ided to give you this time.” Without waiting for a response, she took the box from Javyn and opened it. She wrinkled her nose and muttered, “It’s pretty, but I like it better when he gives you jewelry.”
“That’s because you end up wearing most of it,” Sabine retorted and took the box. Curious about the type of gift that would appeal to Sabine, Malek took a step toward her to look inside. His eyes widened. Within the box was a highly stylized silver dagger. The hilt was extremely intricate and embedded with several precious stones. Such a gift had probably cost a small fortune.
“Oh,” Sabine murmured and stared down at it, indecision clearly warring on her face. “This is a dwarven dagger, isn’t it? Damn him. He knows I can’t resist such workmanship.”
Esmelle snickered. “You’re too easy, Sabine. He’s probably had that sitting in his vault waiting until he pissed you off again.”
Sabine looked up and shrugged, but she didn’t dispute Esmelle’s words. Putting the box on the table, she lit the brazier and burned the message. “You can tell Dax I’ll do it, but this is going to cost him. And if he pulls another stunt like the other night, it’ll be the last time.”
Javyn’s shoulders relaxed at her agreement, and he nodded. “I understand, and I’ll let him know. Do you know when you’ll have the information?”
“A few hours. I’ll come to the tavern once it’s done,” Sabine said, turning off the brazier. One of the pixies darted into the ashes and proceeded to make tiny, sooty footprints along the table. Another one squealed and dove into the mess, tossing ash into the air like confetti.
Sabine scooped up the confetti-throwing pixie and blew the ash off its wings. “You know you’re not allowed on my table, Acorn. It took days for your wings to heal last time you knocked over one of my jars.”
Barley swooped in. “My apologies, Sabine. I will ensure this young troublemaker will be suitably punished.” He scowled at Acorn. “Move it, soldier! I’ll have you whipped into shape in no time.”
To Kill a Fae Page 11