Another hmph. “As if you don’t know.”
He truly didn’t. “Explain it to me.”
“I’m your partner, in case you’ve forgotten. You’re supposed to confirm absolutely everything I say.”
She could not be serious.
“Really, Brochan, if you can’t be a good ally to others, don’t expect us to be a good ally to you.” She followed her snotty tone with kissy noises at her pet. “So? Is my baby safe forever or not?”
Frustrating female! “I won’t harm it, but I won’t help it either.” The admission burned Brochan’s tongue.
She reacted as if he’d struck her. “It?”
“Female—”
“No. Not another word from you.” Viola extended her arm in expectation. The cuff gleamed on her wrist. “The time for action has come. Kindly remove this hideous piece of hardware. It clashes with my free will.”
He held on to his stubbornness. “Give me the key, and I’ll remove the cuff.”
“Remove the cuff, and I’ll give you a key.”
He…couldn’t. No, he wouldn’t. Maybe she wasn’t a wicked temptress who lied and charmed and worked her wiles on unsuspecting men. But maybe she was. If he removed the cuff, and she flashed, forcing him to chase her…no. He wouldn’t risk dividing his attention between his brother and his woman—er, his partner. Not until he’d thought things through. “Just…stay here with your devil-dog while I deal with the guests. We’ll discuss the cuff tomorrow.”
Chapter Ten
“We’ll discuss the cuff tomorrow,” Viola muttered as she stormed across the palace grounds. A lush garden had come alive almost overnight, just like the oasis. Grass, trees and a multitude of flowers had sprouted below her bedroom balcony. Insects and a few small animals had shown up too. They must have been here all along, seemingly as dead as everything else.
For the first time, those insects and animals darted from her. Sensed the danger of her temper, did they?
Days had passed since the arrival of McCadden and Farrow, but Viola and Brochan hadn’t discussed anything. Not even their rainy interlude, when he’d shocked and thrilled her with his reverent exploration of her body. Or the fact that he’d called her “kitten,” a nickname that had made her heart flutter.
Viola’s patience had worn thin. Did he not realize how important she was to him? To the entire realm? How important it was to keep her happy? This incomparable, bloom-scented air would fade with a single command from her. The world sought to please her. Where was her thanks? Her appreciation?
Something needed to be done. Soon. Unfortunately for Brochan, there was no better doer than Viola. They would be reopening the discussion about the cuff today. Along with the Forsaken they planned to kill and the fact that Brochan hadn’t adored her for an hour a day, as agreed.
She whirled around and raced toward the palace, more than ready to confront him.
He’s embarrassed by his attraction to you and hopes to keep your arrangement a secret.
Her step slowed, tremors nearly buckling her knees. Was Narcissism correct? Did Brochan wish to keep their arrangement—and his growing affection for her—a secret?
Acid leaked through her chest, her eyes stinging. Stinging? With tears? Anger replaced sorrow. How dare he?! Brochan should be proud of her. If she could date herself, she would. There was a good chance she was her own fated mate!
Inhale. Exhale. Okay. All right. A measure of calm settled over her. Whatever his feelings about her, he still desired her. That wasn’t in question. While they hadn’t spoken and he’d avoided her as much as possible, they had interacted a time or two. His smoldering gaze had kept her strong. A first for her.
Viola quickened her step as soon as she entered the palace. Oof! She bounced into someone. McCadden, she realized with disappointment. As soon as she caught herself, she noticed the moderately attractive Farrow poised behind him.
Point number four on Viola’s list of grievances. If McCadden occupied a chamber and she entered, he immediately stomped out. He spoke to her only in passing, and only to issue insults. Well, no more.
Today, he would hear her out, just like his brother, and that was that. She’d made a mistake with him, and she was big enough to admit it. A tiny mistake, yes, but a mistake all the same. And perhaps she could have maybe, possibly treated him a wee bit better after she’d gotten what she wanted from him instead of taking his gift, taunting him and fleeing.
“McCadden,” she began. “I’m glad you were rude enough to be in my way. I’ve wished to speak with you and apol––”
“Cease speaking.” His lip curled. He backed her against the wall and snarled, “Stay away from my brother.” Clearly not ready to listen or forgive, he stomped off before she could respond.
Strike one. Her shoulders slumped, until she rebounded. What were the odds of a second failure in one day? Zero point zero. Viola never crashed twice.
Farrow remained in place, watching her with an intense, unwavering stare.
How irritating! “I only wished to tell him I was sorry,” she informed the other woman.
“I wonder how lovely you’ll consider yourself when I carve you into pieces.”
She fluffed her hair. “Wonder no more. I’ll love it. The more pieces of me the better.”
If the woman hadn’t been taking up so much of Brochan’s attention, Viola might have liked her. But the two Forsaken were almost always together, whispering and planning their future in the skies. Jealousy seethed inside of her every time she glimpsed them together.
“I’ll take your head. Soon. The day is coming.” The other woman strutted off, following McCadden.
“If you want a girls’ night, just say so,” she called. Strike two. Perhaps she should avoid Brochan, just in case this bad luck continued.
No! But now more than ever, the cuff had to go. Trying to fight Brochan, McCadden and Farrow without full use of her abilities… She shuddered. If one or all the trio attacked her, she must be prepared. Strong.
The meeting with Brochan could wait a few minutes, though. First, she would outfit herself appropriately.
She rushed to the master suite and selected a scarlet gown. The sheer material revealed more than it concealed. As requested, Fluffy had collected her go-bag, ensuring she donned the perfect jewelry. A necklace with dangling bullets. A gun ring that utilized those bullets. Another ring with a minuscule saw hidden beneath the center stone. Another winding bracelet, able to elongate and lock into place, becoming a sword. Each piece had been crafted from a different kind of metal to combat different kinds of creatures.
Confidence restored, Viola marched through the palace she’d been cleaning bit by bit. This time, Fluffy kept pace at her side, his little trot as adorable as ever. “I’ll find Brochan and grant him an opportunity to fix his errors,” she explained. She missed their easy camaraderie in the oasis. Missed getting to know him and letting him get to know her. No one’s glance affected her like his. His compliments were an aphrodisiac.
Her child twittered. Translation: Brilliant plan, Momma.
“Trust me, baby. I know.”
If Brochan opted not to remove the cuff, Viola would have no choice but to wash her hands of him, ending their partnership for good. She refused to live in a cage. And she most assuredly refused to be relegated to the sidelines. One of the reasons she’d left Cameo and the other Lords of the Underworld. Other demon-oppressed immortals she considered friends. They adored her, like everyone else, but they didn’t value her battle skill.