Page 26 of First Snow
“And you wouldn’t have solved the last riddle without our expertise,” Briar says.
“Expertise?” Emily snorts. “Doesn’t take a fucking IT student to solve it.”
Their bickering continues; after their encounter last night, this is just surreal.
The bodyguard steps over to Faeling. Something about him has Arttu on edge, but he can’t put a finger on it.
“The elder Lord Briar would like to visit you next week, Mr. Faeling,” he says in a low voice. Arttu stays with his back to them, pretending to watch the young Lord and Emily quarrel.
“As long as he minds his manners, he may visit my club,” Faeling retorts. Arttu grins at his haughty tone. Directed at jerks like the Lord and his employees, it’s kind of funny.
“His Lordship wants to talk business with you again,” the bodyguard says, his voice somewhat strained.
Arttu’s heart starts to beat faster. What kind of business does this shady Lord have with Faeling? And why does he need his weird bodyguard to arrange it? Arttu needs to have Tuulia do a background check on them as soon as he gets out of here.
“My answer is still the same,” Faeling says dismissively.
“The compensation would be—”
“I have no interest in repeating myself to subordinates,” Faeling snarls, something dark and authoritative creeping into his voice that has the tiny hairs on Arttu’s neck rising. “Tell your master heknowsmy answer.”
Jareth finishes the conversation by simply turning away. They all leave the escape game soon after, and Arttu can’t decide if he’s relieved or disappointed about it. At least he has a new angle he can make Tuulia investigate.
They spend the rest of the evening at a vegan restaurant where Faeling has invited the kids. He’s awfully good company, too. Damn, Arttu has to make sure he’s not getting attached. He just has no idea how to do that.
Chapter 9
Jareth
Annikkihasputupher yoga mat and aerial hammock in the main room of the club. She’s going through some warm-up poses when Jareth enters. The transept of the former church building is peaceful, bright sunlight streaming through the colorful windows.
“Where have you left Arttu?” Annikki asks from her downward-facing dog pose.
“Drinking a coffee with Mistress Emily.” Jareth feels his absence like a hole in his chest. Is that what people refer to when they talk about falling in love? Is it supposed to feel like this so fast? He can’t imagine. Maybe he’s coming down with something.
Annikki hums. “Have you thought about offering to go with him?”
“Of course,” Jareth snaps. Damn that woman. He’s not some socially inept fool. Most of the time.
“I see,” Annikki starts treading in place, loosening her hamstrings. “And you also remembered to let him go alone if he so wishes. I’m proud of you.”
“You’re the annoying sister I never asked for. What did you expect me to do? Chain him up in my bedroom?”
Annikki laughs. “Don’t act like you haven’t thought about it.”
He hasn’t, not really. But now the mental images flood his mind. Too vivid to be a mere fantasy, they seem more like a vision. He sees Arttu lying naked on his belly, presented like an offering, a golden cuff wrapped around his ankle, chaining him to the bed. The sight makes Jareth’s mouth water and his trousers go tight. But what has his heart racing isn’t the delectable sight of Arttu lying spread out for him. It’s the room he’s in. Jareth recognizes the high ceilings and the gothic windows. It looks a lot likeThe Worship,but it isn’t, and Jareth would never bring a mortal loverthere.
“Earth to Jareth! Did I trigger some depraved fantasy?”
Jareth shakes off the image of Arttu trapped in the halls ofRhosyn Keepwith some difficulty. Annikki knows a lot about Jareth’s heritage, but she doesn’t understand its dangers.
“Let’s talk about the shows this week. Thorfinn and James have left for Iceland, right? Do you have someone else for theshibarispot?”
Annikki swings herself up into the hammock, going through a series of poses in an elegant flow.
“I can do it.” Jareth knows she prefers playing in private, but he’s grateful that she’s ready to step in if needs be. Annikki changes position again, and grins at him upside down when she settles into a reverse pose. “Or do you want to give Arttu a little spanking in front of an audience?”
“I’ll spankyouif you don’t stop your teasing,” Jareth grumbles, but can’t keep the smirk from his lips.