Page 302 of Commanding Blood And Bonds

She hopped off the table, stepping into my space, hands landing lightly on my chest.

“You either intend to honor the Bond, or you don’t.” My voice dropped, rough and bitter. “Stop fucking with me and choose.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“So you’ve said. But if you won’t explain why, I can’t simplify it for you.”

“The last time I trusted a Paladin, I got my throat slit.”

“Gimme a name and I’ll return the favor.”

“You know how I feel about empty promises.”

“Christ, you’re maddening,” I growled, backing away. Her hands dropped from my chest, the loss of contact landing like a sucker punch to the gut.

A roar of laughter echoed from the billiards table behind us. Games had resumed. Normalcy reasserted itself. It only made me angrier.

Jabbing a finger at her, I ground out, “Don’t touch me like that when we both know you don’t fuckin’ mean it. You tell me to stay away—and then show up in my bar.”

“We need to talk.”

“You think I don’t know that? What do you think I was trying to do when you ran off with your brother and his mate?”

“We had orders.”

“Fuck orders.” The words came out sharper than intended. “This impacts more than this lifetime, Freya. You’re famous for your little games, but I won’t be one of them. I’ve laid everything out—open, raw—and you’re standing there like I’m full of shit.”

“People are watching,” she muttered, her gaze flicking nervously across the bar.

“Fuck them, too.”

Her jaw tightened. “My motives mean nothing if we don’t get ahead of Adrastos. That’s why I’m here. Everything we’ve both done these last few weeks will burn if we don’t cut him off at the knees.” She met my eyes. “I’m here to ask for your help.”

A breath hissed through my nose. Finally. Something tangible.

“Fine.” I yanked my hair back, twisting it into a hasty bun.

“Can we go somewhere more private?”

“I’m not sure that’s wise.”

Arching a brow, she chirped, “I promise to control myself.”

From somewhere across the bar, Jo and Cali laughed. Fucking catnip. I snorted, shaking my head. Then I met those hazel-ringed jade eyes and exhaled a steadying breath.

“What do you need?”

“To track him down before he sends his men after me—now that you’ve declared you won’t do it yourself. I have a hunch. I’m hoping you’ll tell me I’m wrong.”

Ten minutes later, we were seated in my usual booth at the back. Neither of us touched the glasses the server left behind.

She’d be the death of me. Infuriating, brilliant, breathtaking, maniacal demon creature.

“All signs point to Bellpost,” she said without preamble.

“And yet you played dumb in front of the others.”

“I don’t offer unvetted leads. I’m not dragging Ally and August into hostile territory unless I’m sure.”