Page 45 of King’s Kismet

The women in their lives would get a cackle out of knowing the teenage hybrid could get under their skin so quickly. And that felt like a glorious end to my long day.

I thought about my mate as the frigid winds of the void wrapped around me. I didn’t have my love anymore, but in losing her, I’d gained a new generation to take care of.

She would have adored Sloane and her mates… And Jack… I couldn’t think of a single young creature in my care that she wouldn’t have cherished.

I landed in the front seat of my car and drove home to the quiet hum of the air conditioner. It was yet another marvelous invention that wasn’t around when I was young. The sound it made reminded me of the bitter winters I’d endured alone, before I had found someone to care about. And there was a strangely calming feeling that washed over me.

Before I knew it, I was parked in front of the main house and walking in with an armful of things from my errands… The errands I ran before I got sidetracked with the hybrid teen.

“What did you do today?” Sloane asked, quirking a brow at me as she leaned against the kitchen counter.

“Fed the pigeons,” I answered absently, hanging her dry cleaning on the trim of the doorway before heading to the sink to wash my hands. “Picked that up. Sent some emails. Called the lawn care company about not edging the driveway…”

She stood frozen, just staring at me as her amusement brightened her features. Her nose, cheeks, and mouth were shaped so much like my Calpurnia, though the ancient stories never did her justice.

I had aided my love in starting the conspiracies that led to her first husband’s death. Julius didn’t believe she was capable, but the shy woman kept her darkness well hidden while married to the Roman dictator.

Cali would have been so proud of her great granddaughter.

“What is it?” I inquired when Sloane continued to stare.

“You never answered that question when I asked in the past. I’m sorry for overhearing your thoughts,” she whispered with a smile. “And you’re covered in blood. That must have been some email.”

Druid Dreams - Chapter 5

Alternate POV

Saturday, May 16th

Early Morning

Vaughn saw Sloane out, making sure she got in the Audi safely, but fuck his godsdammed manners. Lo snorted in my mind, and I quickly closed the connection between us so I could talk shit about the fae without her hearing me.

He didn’t seem to care if she could hear him, though. I wanted to scoff when he warned Franklin that Taylor Caplin was watching Lo. The human might not have seen the exchange, but I did.

I couldn’t understand why he was worried about her safety… until he mentioned it to me too, like I was her fucking keeper.

No one kept that bitch in line.

It would make my entire year to watch the recognition sweep over Taylor Caplin’s face when he realized how terrifying Sloane King could be. Unapproachable wasn’t just a look she wore like resting bitch face. It was her whole godsdamned lifestyle.

But I loved her.

So I nodded my head in agreement with the fae as he pointed out the stalking human who’d bit off more than he would ever be able to chew.

Telepathic bond or not, I wasn’t telling her shit until I got some fucking answers about tonight. I hadn’t felt this level of irritation in years. And despite trying to not take it out on the fae before me, I just couldn’t help myself.

I was firmly placing the blame on his shoulders.

“Why didn’t you kiss her? Are you fucking stupid?”

I threw my hands in the air as I paced the sidewalk in front of the club. This idiot had missed a prime opportunity with his mate… It was as if he didn’t even realize Sloane was his mate.

Gods-fucking-damnit.

Did I have to spell everything out?

“She never brings anyone into her VIP booth, let alone spends hours with them talking and playing stupid fucking games. Do you know how private she is? She. Never. Fucking. Does. That.”