Page 222 of Bitten By the Fae

“History?” Kols repeated. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s a long, drawn-out story,” Shade replied. “But your grandfather knows it well.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Kols demanded, taking the words right out of my mouth.

“Ask him,” Shade encouraged. “Tell him you want to know what really happened to Zenaida, Kodiak, and Vadim all those years ago. If he tells you the truth, you’ll have your answer.”

“Or you could enlighten me now,” Kols suggested, his tone indicating he knew Shade would never oblige.

“And what fun would that be?” the Death Blood asked, clearly amused.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Aflora said, turning in my arms. Rather than leave me, she pressed her back to my chest, allowing me to wrap my arms around her.

“We’re going to need to learn to trust each other.” She looked pointedly at Kols and Shade, but I knew she included me in that statement. “There’s someone trying to frame Kols, and whoever that person is has an energy signature I recognize. So I agree with Shade that we should visit the village, but it’ll need to be on our next free day to avoid anyone wondering why we’re there.”

My chest warmed at her taking charge and thinking everything through logically. Kols and Shade seemed to approve as well, their gazes reverent.

We really were royally screwed when it came to this woman.

Our only saving grace was that she didn’t seem to know it yet.

“Obviously Kols can’t go with us,” she continued. “So it’ll need to be me and Zeph. Shade, too, if he wants to go. And we can just say I wanted some spritemead and proper Elemental Fae food from the tavern. That can’t be too far-fetched an excuse, right?”

“It’s believable,” I agreed, thinking about her obsession with dragon steak and loaves.

“I’ll use my next free day to talk to my dad,” Kols said. “And maybe Constantine.” The latter was spoken for Shade’s benefit.

“A sound plan,” Shade agreed, his lips curling. “And I’ll definitely tag along to the tavern. Anrika’s an old family friend.”

“Of course she is,” Aflora deadpanned.

Shade winked at her, another secret passing between them.

Rather than let it bother me, I pressed my nose to Aflora’s hair and inhaled her familiar perfume, content to have her in my arms. She might not have claimed me yet, but she would. I’d make sure of it.

And in the interim, I’d protect her as best I could.

Including on our mission to the village.

Because something told me there was a lot more to this than just framing Kols.

It couldn’t be a coincidence that Aflora arrived when she did, her Quandary Blood powers flickering to awareness right before these attacks began.

Shade met my gaze, his eyes telling me a story I longed to decipher. “I’m going to figure you out,” I promised him.

“Good,” he replied, welcoming the challenge. “I’m counting on it.”

Aflora yawned, drawing all of our attention to her. I lifted her into my arms and set her on the bed beside Shade, deciding to offer him my own version of an olive branch.

“We’ll leave you two to rest,” I said, pressing my lips to Aflora’s temple. “I’ll be in the guest room tonight, and Kols will be right next door. Sweet dreams, pixie flower.”

Shade’s glimmer of surprise was worth my boon.

Yeah, I could be a good guy when I tried.

Remember that,I told him with my eyes, then turned and let Kols say his good night.

Rather than wait for him in the hall, I went to the guest room and closed the door. There would be no dream-walking tonight.Aflora deserved her time with Shade. Even if it did make me want to break something.