Page 37 of The Filigree Key

“You mean I find out what it is,” Sawyer said sullenly. He sucked in a wearisome breath. “Fiiine. But this is the last time.”

I set the cat down. “Hmm, we both know that’s probably not true.”

“Hey!” He swiped for my ankles. “We’re stronger together.”

“And we’re more vulnerable, too. What if something happens to me and Alec or Shane or another Brother who’s not under the same restrictions he is gets ahold of this while you’re in it?”

Sawyer squirmed under my imploring look.

“Please?” I asked.

The tabby tomcat blew out a huff, hopped onto the bed, and nestled himself between the pillows, blending in. “You load that tray up before you bring it back here. I haven’t eaten all day. And I want extra for when you’re gone tomorrow.”

The mattress depressed under my knee as I leaned in to give the little cat a kiss on the forehead. “You really are the best cat.”

“Yeah? Prove you mean it by bringing me back a whole chicken for myself.” His ears perked. “What is it that Flora likes to say? Oh, yes. Chop-chop.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

In the morning, Sawyer and I set the trap of the foraging bag for the faelight spies.

“Not there,” Sawyer protested. “You wouldn’t just leave your bag on the floor, Meadow.”

“Quite right. It’s either on the bed, hanging in the wardrobe, or on the settee there.”

“The settee. It’s far enough from the walls they usually sneak in through that I can watch what they try to steal and nab ’em before they get away with it.” Sawyer wedged himself back in between the throw pillows on the bed until only the gleam of his amber eyes could be seen. “Leave it unzipped. And those runes aren’t going to mess with anything, are they?”

“We’re good.” The tampering rune I’d sewn into the bag could understand intent—I was deliberately leaving it open and unattended. It was the same as a mother handing her purse to her child to fish out a peppermint—the permission to root around was given. “Be safe, little cat.”

“Meadow?”

With one hand on the doorknob and the other gripping the fox-fur coat, I paused and looked over my shoulder. “Yeah?”

“Come back in one piece.”

“Love you too, kitty.”

In the hallway, I found Shane standing just outside my room.

“Thistle thorns,” I exclaimed, shutting the door tight behind me before he could catch a glimpse inside. At least the Befuddlement Spell had been in full effect before I’d opened the door. “I doubt I need an escort to go feed my sourdough starter.”

The faelight Brother said nothing, merely fell into step behind me. He kept a measured distance of three paces behind me, his gait so eerily smooth it set my teeth on edge. Had he volunteered to be consumed by Ossian’s magic, and if so, what did he expect to earn from his service? Or had he just been the best candidate—a mindless, obedient brute?

But more importantly, did I have true reason to fear him? All those extra fae-like markings on his skin . . . had Ossian given him those so he’d be powerful enough to subdue me in Elfame? Was it hubris that made Ossian believe Shane would be enough, or did he truly know? It was maddening to contemplate.

In the kitchen feeding the sourdough starter, whom I named Bruno, I decided to shove those thoughts from my mind. Doubt was poison, and I needed every scrap of confidence for what lay ahead.

“You’re not wearing your satchel,” Ossian noticed immediately as I stepped into the courtyard. He held the reins of two horses, the bay gelding he preferred and a dapple gray for me.

“Your powers of observation are astounding.” Any jab I could make and mask as a teasing or flirty snark, I would take. It was one of the few things that made this nightmare bearable. I gave the Stag Man a saucy wink and took hold of the gray’s reins.

“Also, if I wanted a watchdog, I’d get a mastiff,” I said, tossing a glance at the faelight Brother.

The fae king jerked the reins, yanking me into his proximity. His arm snaked around my waist as his jewel-bright eyes gleamed. At his throat, the big blue jewel swirled and two of the gemstones winked with power. “Ignore Shane. You have no idea how intoxicating I find your obedience, Meadow.” He ducked his head, claiming my mouth in a fierce kiss.

I tensed as the stolen bond between us radiated pleasure. Stolen pleasure, and only that thought gave me the strength to push—gently, no matter how much I wanted to shove—away from him.

“I need to stay focused, Ossian.” Disentangling myself, I led the gray away a few steps so I could haul myself up into the saddle unmolested. “You’re not the one subduing an Unseelie half-heart, you know.”