Page 146

“I didn’t say anything.”

She turned to him. His jaw was tight, lips pressed into a thin line.

“If you have a problem, just say it.” He just had that look that said he wanted to tell her everything he thought she’d done wrong.

“Taly—”

She rolled her eyes and muttered, “Here we go.”

“You followed a mercenary into the backrooms and then listened in on a deal. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? People getkilledfor doing stupid shit like that.”

“Oh, come on, Skye. You make it sound like I walked into a wyvern’s den. It was thefourth floor. People don’t die on the fourth floor. Fifth and sixth, maybe—but not the fourth.”

“And a hobgoblin, really? I thought you were smarter than that.”

“Grizzlethorn’s practically family. You need to relax.”

“Right, because nothing says‘family’like almost losing your firstborn to a clause about ‘fair trade in perpetuity.’ Which, by the way, would also be my firstborn, I would like to point out.”

“So, one:presumptuous.”

His brows lifted. “Oh, really? You mean you have other candidates lined up?”

“Two: did you not hear the part where I said I didn’t sign anything?”

He didn’t answer—just shifted tactics. “It’s a miracle Grizzlethorn didn’t decide you’d make a better bartering chip than whatever you were trying to buy. And let’s not forget—why were you even alone in the first place? Where was Sarina? I mean, I know the glamour is good, but you can’t just go wandering off.”

“Okay, now you’re just looking for reasons to be mad.”

His nostrils flared, his jaw still tight. The heat in his eyes should have pissed her off.

But instead of fueling her anger, it sent a rush of warmth through her—a feeling fiercely at odds with the overwhelming impulse to punch him in the face.

Skye’s gaze shifted. His pupils dilated slightly, as if he caught the exact moment her thoughts turned from irritation to something else.

“You’re impossible,” he muttered.

“And you love it.”

“Love’s a strong word. More likeendure.”

A beat of silence stretched between them.

She wasn’t sure who moved first.

Only that one moment, they were standing inches apart, locked in a battle of wills.

The next, her hands were on his shoulders, and his lips were on hers—hard and insistent.

It didn’t make sense. They’d just been together this morning, and yet her body reacted like it had been deprived for days.

She pulled him closer, deepening the kiss until she felt his breath hitch—until it felt like they were trading air, each taking what the other couldn’t hold.

The intensity built fast—too fast for this cramped, cluttered workshop.

Skye pulled away just enough to steady himself, his forehead resting against hers, his breath uneven. “Upstairs.”

Taly shook her head. There were too many people between here and there—all well-meaning but far too nosy.