Chapter 43

I didn’t want to stop kissing Malcolm, but the back of my head had a dull ache that was spreading down my back. Gently, I eased back, panting to catch my breath.

As though he was feeling the same way, he pressed his lips to my temple. “I’ll grab you some broth.”

“Not just yet.” I snuggled closer into his arms not wanting to let go of the safety of his embrace so soon. Right now, I could pretend the world outside this room didn’t exist or that real monsters didn’t hide under beds or in closets.

“Once you’re healed up, what do you think about going Earthside for a bit?”

“Are you serious?” I sat up slightly to look at him and a fresh wave of dizziness had me lying back down and squeezing my eyes shut for a few moments.

“I take it that’s a yes?” he asked, but his voice was full of concern.

“Hell yes.” I smiled at him. “Though there are some things I need to do first.”

“Mini-golf?”

I laughed. “Of course, after I get my weapons back and I need to talk with Maggie.”

“Your friend that’s with the Unseelie’s now?”

Didn’t even have to look at his face to hear the frown in his voice.

“She’s not with-with them.” At least, I didn’t think she was. Honestly, I had no idea as we hadn’t gotten to talk that much or alone when she was here last. “And she could be a valuable asset.”

“What’s the real reason besides seeing your friend that you want her aide?”

I bit my lip, suddenly unsure. Would he say I was being foolish trying to find out about my foster mother? Tell me that it shouldn’t matter because she was gone and not even real Fae? My stomach clenched at the thought of him or the others telling me to drop this. I couldn’t. She’d saved me and according to many Seelie that wasn’t something their enemy ever did.

But what if they were wrong and there were more like my mom on the other side of the border and thinking we were the monsters.

“I want to find out more about my foster mom.”

His sharp inhale of breath told me everything, and I prattled on like a kid trying to convince their parent to buy them a new toy.

“They can’t be all bad. If I could find out her motives, it might help us discover more about the Unseelie and their plans.”

“They desire to overthrow us, that’s never changed.” He shook his head. “It’s too dangerous to associate with them. Look at what your dinner has brought? Two possible dark kin assassins in our midst.”

“You don’t know that’s how the creatures got in.” A chill swept over me and I tucked the blanket up higher.

“We’ve not had a shadow kin in the castle since your real mother was murdered and you think it’s a coincidence that they are here now?”

I stubbornly lifted my chin, meeting his stare. “And yet my fost—”

“Your foster mom was the exception.” He squeezed his arms around me softly. “I will be forever grateful that she saved your life. But don’t expect anything less than evil and hatred from the Unseelie. Thinking they are kind like your foster mom will get you killed.”

“I know that. I fought all of them until I met you and Darrius.”

“Always err on the side that keeps you safe, Avery. No matter what.” His voice was deep and thick with emotion. “Doing less could get you killed.”

I nodded, kissing his jawline. “I should find out every Fae’s weaknesses. Exploit them.”

“Hmmm…that might take a lot of skill and time.”

“Well, I have to try.” I flicked my tongue across his lower lip. “I should practice very hard.”

A deep rumble erupted from my stomach, and I giggled. “Well, maybe after I have some broth.”

“Your wish is my command. I’ll get Helga too and have her do another healing ritual on your injury.” He moved to climb out of bed.

My heart lurched into my throat and I snapped my hand on his arm, stopping him. “No, no don’t leave.” What was wrong with me? Here I was a Fae killer and I was afraid to be alone? I tried to push back the rising panic in my chest that made it feel like I couldn’t breathe, but I couldn’t. “I-I don’t want to be by myself. Not without my weapons,” I added almost as an afterthought.

“You’re right.” He patted my hand but remained sitting up in the bed. “Varaux.”

The brownie didn’t appear.

“Come on, I know you’ve probably been eavesdropping this whole time. Show yourself.”

“I would never.” Varaux slid into the room from the wall using his magic.

“You heard the lady, go fetch her some broth and Helga.”

“Fine.” Varaux huffed. “But you’ve got to put in a good word for me with Darrius.”

“Why?” Malcolm winked at me. “Think my cousin will beat you for misbehaving? If he hasn’t done so by now, he won’t ever.”

“Not that.” Varaux dry-washed his hands. “I-I think there’s a spy in the castle and I let them inside.”