Bounty Hunter (The Black Tulip Chronicles #1)

41. Vera

Chapter 41

Vera

T he maid who curled and styled my hair into a half-up half-down masterpiece left the room a few minutes ago. I know I should go meet Ikar, make sure he doesn’t walk into the party alone, but I check my appearance one more time in the floor length mirror in my room. I turn one way and then the other, surprised at how feminine I look, which brings mixed feelings. I’ve missed feeling like a woman. The men’s clothing serves an important purpose, mainly helping me stay safe and unnoticed, but I find it’s nice to wear something that makes me feel beautiful again. Rupi seems to agree as she gently taps at the fabric on my sleeve and chirps.

“I’m glad this dress meets with your approval,” I say, stroking her small head. She merely ruffles her feathers in response. I carry her back to her perch for the night and make sure she has fresh seed in her tray before I stand before the mirror again.

The dress has small cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline, and I find I appreciate how much it covers after the last couple days. The spider silk has been dyed the deepest blue I’ve ever seen, like a night sky. It hugs my hips and puddles on the floor. It looks perfect, but when I turn, I see how low it dips in the back, and I purse my lips. I’ll be having a chat with Mama Tina about that. She knows I like to keep my mark covered. I ensure that the half of my hair left down and curled covers it sufficiently.

Butterflies flutter in my stomach when I hear a soft knock. I open the door to find Ikar dressed in deep blue fitted trousers and shiny leather boots. He wears a matching jacket that emphasizes his muscular build, and beneath that is a fine, creamy shirt that reveals a spectacular bit of chest and completes the ensemble. It appears Mama Tina enjoys playing dress up with the two of us. My eyes return to his face. Even the day I met him, he had a couple days’ beard growth, and I thought him handsome then. Now, his strong jawline is clean-shaven and free for my eyes to trace. Naturally, my gaze drops to the corded muscles of his neck which lead my eyes back to that bit of chest?—

I feel the blush in my cheeks when I yank my eyes up to his. The gentle smirk on his lips doesn’t match the intensity in his eyes. I offer no compliment, assuming my blush speaks for me. Instead, I quickly walk toward the stairs attempting to gather enough moisture to wet my dry mouth. This feels too much like a date. It’s not a date. Neither of us speaks as we make our way down the stairs, but goosebumps spread across my skin when Ikar’s fingers graze my back as I make my way unsteadily down, darn these heels. The awareness between us as we make our way is heady and distracting, and it doesn’t help my balance. And what is that incredible smell on him? Mama Tina must have given him some type of fae cologne. She plays dirty .

I’m not surprised when we enter the party to see the room almost filled with fae. I don’t think Mama Tina knows what a small get together actually looks like. With effort, I create a little distance between us, resisting winding my arm through his. I shouldn’t act like he’s mine, but I stay near him as we mingle with other guests amidst the low thrum of conversation and clinking glasses. It only makes sense with the whole he’s a criminal story. Can’t very well leave him wandering alone to be accosted by the like-minded fae. Mama Tina’s silent approval has spread to the rest of her guests. I can tell by the smiles and greetings we receive, but rather than put me at ease, it puts me on edge.

We wander our way through the room. Here and there, I’m greeted by familiar friends and people I know from my teen years, and Ikar politely smiles, perfectly mannered. Then I see Drade across the room, and I pause. His dark eyes meet mine in a magnetic lock and practically sizzle as he heads in my direction. I bite my lip. It has been years since I’ve seen him, since I broke things off. He’s still as darkly handsome as ever. A genuine smile graces my face as he approaches. Even though it hadn’t felt right to stay in a relationship with him, I still love him, in a platonic way. Behind all the broody orneriness, that is. He smoothly grabs my hand and brings it to his lips as he looks into my eyes, and it feels like we step into the past.

“You are the image of everlasting beauty this evening, Vera.”

A hot blush heats my cheeks. I feel, rather than see, Ikar stiffen beside me, which slams my very high heels back to reality. He snorts and then weakly attempts to cover it with a cough. I’ve had about enough of his half-laughs. What happened to his very respectable and perfect manners? I give him a what the blazes look, then look back at Drade. The two men have some sort of silent challenge right in front of me, and the tension winds so tight I think we might burst into flames here in the room. I pull my hand from Drade’s and step back to form more of a circle between the three of us.

Drade directs his gaze to Ikar. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?” His tone is bored, but I see venom in his eyes as he gauges the possessive way Ikar steps closer to my right shoulder.

I immediately jump in. “I’ve arrested him. I had to stop here on an errand, and he has been forced to tag along.”

“A bounty?” Drade’s smirk grows as Ikar’s eyes turn dark as a midnight pool of water.

My gaze jumps between them, confused by the growing tension.

I can see mocking entertainment in Drade’s eyes. Ikar’s eyes stay dark, and he is still as stone.

I finally speak up, not liking the way I have been reduced to a third wheel in some type of confusing, unspoken argument between two men who have just met each other. The drama. I roll my eyes.

“Looks like it’s time to take our seats for dinner.” I smile and grab Ikar’s bicep, hoping he’ll budge when I pull, since I know if he doesn’t want to move, there is no way I can make him. I breathe in relief as he and Drade break their silent glare war, and he walks beside me to the dining room. His hand, simultaneously respectful and possessive, hovers just above the bare skin of my back. I can’t handle his nearness without melting into a puddle of navy dress, so I take a step away, though I can’t stop myself from quickly glancing his way. A knowing look at how he affects me touches his eyes, and the hint of a pleased smile twitches about his lips, but he drops his hand and makes no move to step closer .

“What was that all about?” I hiss, looking over his shoulder in Drade’s direction. “Do you realize he’s the low king of the fae?” I want to punch him in the arm, but it won’t hurt him. I’ve tried it before.

“What’s he going to do? Arrest me? ” The cocky grin on his lips has me swinging between flustered and irritated.

“Yes. Behave yourself.” It’s all I have to time to spit out before we’ve arrived at the table, and I plaster a pleasant smile back onto my face. I’m left wondering what has gotten into him.

We find our places clearly marked, and I’m happy to find that Renna’s placecard is directly across from mine. Now is as good a time as any to introduce my best friend to my criminal.

“Ikar, this is Renna, my closest friend. Basically my sister.”

Ikar inclines his head and offers a dashing smile. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Renna blushes prettily, and I rush ahead. “Renna, this is Ikar. My—er, the criminal I arrested.”

Her eyes look between us knowingly, but she merely smiles and offers a perfectly polite reply. “Nice to meet you. I’m glad you both made it here safely.”

Mama Tina raises a glass to call the rest of the guests to the table, and people begin to fill the seats around us. Ikar pulls out my chair, his respectable and perfect manners back in place, and helps me scoot closer to the table before taking his own seat beside me. Drade sits silently beside Renna and watches us from his seat across the table moodily while Renna appears somewhat apprehensive about her broody dinner companion.

Dinner is served, some type of bird, insects I don’t know the name of, and a plant of some sort. One thing I don’t miss—fae food. I gulp. It is the height of rudeness to leave food on your plate in this kingdom, so this entire thing is going down tonight. I glance up to find Renna looking a little green and I give her an encouraging smile. She’s not used to the fae food like I am.

Ikar acts like it’s a regular mouth-watering feast. He snaps his napkin out and lays it across his lap, practiced. He smiles handsomely at Mama Tina and one of her friends who chats with him across the table, eating ever so properly and without gagging even once. Impressive.

I watch him, fascinated by this side of him I’ve never observed. I’ve grown used to my criminal wearing a growing beard, clothing fit for a journey such as ours. Now, he becomes intimidating to me. His clean shaven face reveals his strong jaw, the cut of his suit seems tailor made to emphasize his muscular physique. His movements are smooth, confident, controlled. His hair has grown longer, but his perfectly mussed style has only improved, a light curl broken free at the front, lending the perfect touch of imperfection to his appearance. He smiles handsomely, his blue eyes deep and mysterious. Honest and true soldier, lying criminal, violent mercenary, or a dangerously seductive combination of all three?

Mama Tina is enjoying him entirely too much, as am I. I’m startled when my gaze catches on Drade. He looks intensely into my eyes, tilting his head to the side, a touch too intent. Questioning, even. He speaks up, his voice deep and rich. “What were you arrested for?”

The table goes silent, but Mama Tina leans forward almost eagerly, her hands clasped beneath her chin. “Yes, do share.”

My eyes dart to Ikar. We haven’t discussed this. I hadn’t expected the topic to come up at a dinner party .

He wipes his mouth carefully with a napkin before he leans back, grabs his wine glass, and swishes the liquid inside. He takes a slow drink and sets it down but doesn’t release the stem. “Magic siphoning. ”

Everyone gasps. Admiration shines brightly in Mama Tina’s eyes. “I’ll pay three times as much as the person awarding the bounty.”

I barely hold back an eye roll. This is getting out of hand.

Why hadn’t he chosen something less bad , like, I don’t know, smuggling or theft or something? Now all the fae women are infatuated, and the men look eager to talk business. If they find out we’re lying, we’re as good as dead. Well, I’m safe. But Ikar would be dead. Fae don’t forgive.

I stand abruptly, attempting to pull him up by the elbow. “Time to go.”

He just sits and gives me a lazy smile that steals all the breath from my lungs. He is a scoundrel. And playing the part of criminal a bit too well this evening.

Mama Tina rises, comes up beside me, and leans in, saying in her not-so-quiet-voice, “You’ve always had a thing for the bad boys, just like your Mama Tina.” She pushes my shoulders gently down, and I sit. She winks before she walks toward the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, “I’ll send dessert for everyone but Vera… since she already has some.” She laughs as she turns the corner, and Ikar grins. My face grows hot. I am positive that the situation can’t get any worse. Then Drade stands and rests fisted knuckles on the table, towering over us. Renna warily shrinks back in her chair beside him.

“I call your bluff.” His deadly glare is centered on Ikar. Once again, the table goes silent.

“Go ahead.” Ikar smirks.

My eyes jump between them, and I put a hand on Ikar’s shoulder in warning, which he seems to promptly ignore. What has gotten into him?

“You’re no criminal. And how do I know? ”

“I’m sure you’ll tell us,” Ikar says lazily, but I can see his shoulders stiffen and a glint of warning cross his eyes.

“You bonded with her.” He speaks through his teeth, anger forcing the glamour hiding his fangs to disappear. He looks ready to jump the table and tackle Ikar.

“What about it?”

“Vera would never allow herself to be bonded, especially by a criminal.”

My heart pangs a bit, seeing the hurt behind his anger. But it never would have worked between us, I told him as much the last time I was here. Wait, did he say Ikar bonded with me? I lift my wrist with the glowing mate bond circle.

“Drade, it’s just a temporary mate bond.” I stand and attempt to show him my wrist and then realize I just admitted at a table full of fae that I mate bonded with my criminal. Whispers rush across the table like a wave, and my cheeks burn. And why does Mama Tina look so proud ? I huff out a breath.

“I’m easy to love.” Ikar shrugs, too carelessly. I glimpse a hint of challenge in his eyes right before Drade jumps the table and tackles him. His delicate chair shatters with their combined weight, and they both land on the floor, Ikar pinned beneath Drade’s hands.

Drade grips Ikar’s forearm, tighter and tighter, expecting a shatter. Ikar jumps on the moment, head slamming Drade’s forehead, dazing him enough that Ikar is able to gain the upper hand, pulling him up and over and slamming him into the floor above him. He rolls and comes to standing as Drade does the same. They take defensive positions before they lunge at the same time, struggling between each other’s weight for a moment, then crash out the window beside them.

I gasp in horror and run to the now shattered stained glass .

Mama Tina re-enters the room, hips swaying. “What excitement we have tonight.”

“Do something please,” I practically beg.

“They’re two jealous, virile young men. Drade has challenged him. Let them fight it out. Whoever wins will be your match.”

No. No, no, no. “Those are fae rules, not my rules. And what about my say in the matter?” In reality, I can have neither of them. I head toward the door, but Mama Tina firmly wraps her wing around me, guiding me back in the direction of the banquet room and the guests still seated there.

“You are on fae land and will obey fae rules, just as you always have.”

I sit like a frustrated child.

“We are going to sit and enjoy our meal, m’dear. They’ll probably be just fine.” She sweeps gracefully into her seat.

“Probably?” My voice has a high-pitched, panicked quality to it. My criminal just somehow entered a match challenge with a very past ex fae boyfriend, who happens to also be one of the low kings. I kinda like Ikar, even if he is unavailable to me, and I don’t want Drade hurt either. He may look moody and dark, but he has a kind heart.

I tap a finger against the table as I gag a few bites of the spongey plant down my throat, waiting.

Hours pass, and guests leave until Mama Tina’s house grows quiet. Neither Ikar nor Drade return. Renna smothers a yawn, she’s the only one who remains at the table with me now. I have wound and unwound my hair around my finger so many times it’s halfway to a dreadlock. Finally, after attempting to convince me to head to bed and me refusing, even Renna leaves, giving my shoulder a gently squeeze and bidding me a quiet goodnight .

In the early morning hours, I finally climb the stairs wearily to my bedroom. Ikar is the most resourceful, resilient person I know. Drade is, or at least was, the strongest. But Ikar’s magic is blocked. My nerves feel like sparking wires along my spine. They wouldn’t kill each other. I hope.