CHAPTER 39

Faye let out a breath. When Rune accepted what was between them was fate, she would let him decide which pain he'd rather endure. She drew a shaking breath. And she would take the steps needed to have a life without him. But when she pictured the simple life she once wanted, standing in the doorway of her cottage with her children, was Rune.

Selfishly she hoped he chose her, but if he didn't, she wasn't going to have some half-life missing him. She would find her own Vashien. A kind day-blood she'd share her life with. "I've been thinking about what you said, about asking him for something."

"You're not asking— Trade. Same time, I don't know you."

Faye laughed. "I could ask him to find my altar, so I have a soul shard." It would allow her freedom, a future.

Sparrow gave her an approving glance. "That sounds like an even trade."

"But I would still need someone to take me through my ceremony of blood," Faye muttered to herself. He needed her cooperation because she was as strong as he was. Which meant she needed someone as strong as him to perform her rite.

Sparrow's grin widened into a toothy smile. Her green eyes gleamed as she asked, "You want the Shadow Prince to take your virginity?"

Faye flushed, imagining herself beneath him. Her legs tight around his waist as he moved, thrusting into her. "It's a ceremony," she insisted more to convince herself than her sister.

Sparrow hummed her disagreement. "He's pretty. A decent first lay. Have you seen his dick yet?" Faye shook her head. "He's got to have something under that suit." Sparrow elbowed her. "Don't fall in love when he sticks it all the way in."

Faye brushed her hair looking over her reflection. She wore high waisted slacks, a tank top, and topped it off with a soft sweater that hung off one shoulder. Her heeled boots gave her a few more inches of height.

She stepped back into her room and laughed. Her sister growled in cat form as she tried to stuff herself into Faye's too-small purse. A bright light consumed her form and faded as Sparrow sat as a woman on her bed. "That purse is tiny. Why are you even taking it?"

Faye snatched her purse away. "So, I can steal a business card if I see one and bring it back so you can go there later."

Sparrow looked thoughtful for a minute then called her own larger purse. "Take this one. I fit in it,and you can shove a business card in it." She shifted back into a small white cat and jumped into the purse, hunkering down as low as she could get. When Faye didn't cover her with the flap, Sparrow poked her head out and pulled it over herself.

A knock startled Faye as she whirled around. Rune stood in her doorway. Faye smiled and picked up the purse Sparrow hid in, slinging it over her shoulder.

His gaze roamed over her and stopped at the bag. He arched an eyebrow at Faye. "The blonde harpy is not coming."

Sparrow poked her head out of the flap and hissed at him.

"How did you know?" Faye asked, putting Sparrow's bag down.

The corner of his mouth lifted. "I have been around Familiar my entire life."

Sparrow wiped her back feet at him and jumped up on the bed to lay down staring at Rune upside down.

He offered his hand. "Shall we?"

Faye took a last look at her sister, offering an apologetic glance. She stepped closer to Rune, placing her hand in his. Dizziness came and dissipated quickly, and Faye found herself in a luxurious room. Similar to the ones in Rune's home. This one was decorated in every shade of red, complete with a four-post bed draped in flowing silk.

A beautiful woman in an antique gold corseted gown curtsied with an effortless grace before Rune. "Shadow Prince," she said and turned to Faye, "Lady."

Rune inclined his head at the woman, and Faye returned her bow. Her beautiful rich brown skin gleamed with a strategic dusting of gold powder. Her hair was arranged in an ethereal cloud of black curls. Rune made their introductions, "Faye, this is Kayla. Kayla, Lady Faye."

Faye smiled. "It's nice to meet you."

"A pleasure, my Lady." Kayla held her hand out at two ornate chairs arranged on either side of a circular, clothed table covered in various dishes. Candied fruits, cubes of dried meats and cheese, the expensive steak Sparrow ordered with each meal, and her pomegranate juice was neatly arranged among fresh-cut flowers. A small square table beside the further chair held a lone metal wine glass. Faye smiled to herself. It wasn't big red letters, but it would do.

Rune guided her to the closer chair, releasing her hand. Faye took her seat as Rune moved to his. She frowned, how was she supposed to get him to lean in for a kiss sitting across a table. Faye stood and strolled to Rune. He glanced up at her remaining silent, allowing her to take a seat on his thigh. Kayla's eyes widened as her expression turned to a mixture of shock and surprise. Faye noted the woman's reaction, curious if she and Rune had history.

Her mind blanked when Rune stroked her hair, his fingertips brushing across her back. Tingles cascaded over her body with each stroke. Faye smiled at Kayla, staking her claim and she lowered her gaze before leaving the room.

"Do you come here a lot?" Faye

wondered how many of these discreet women enjoyed his company. The bite of jealousy stung her when she imagined Kayla with him. Faye shoved that feeling down, smothering it.

"No," he answered simply.

"Oh?" Faye didn't believe him. He lived for thousands of years. He was gorgeous, powerful, and wealthy. His list of lovers was probably as long as she was tall. Faye skewered a candied fruit with a metal stick. "Why did she look at you like that?"

Rune raised a brow, studying her for a moment in silence. "She looked at you. Through your actions, which I am sure were not your intent, you have informed Kayla that you are my whore."

Faye smiled around the candied fruit, sensuously sliding it off the metal pick. She flicked the long piece of metal, pointing it at his eye. "Call me that again and I'll stab you in front of your friends." The corner of his mouth lifted at her remark. That sexy smirk made her heart race.

"I am court born. If I had a romantic interest in a partner, they would be announced before the High Council. To behave this way in public projects the impression I have already," Rune glanced at her metal skewer, then met her gaze. Amusement lit his pale blue eyes. "Had you."

Faye turned away from him to scrutinize the extravagant room as she said, "Well, it's a good thing we're in a whore house." She could feel his disapproving gaze and fought the smile that pulled on her lips.

"This is an exclusive, high-end brothel."

Feigning boredom Faye skewered another piece of fruit as Rune stroked her hair. "You haven't shown me anything that makes me want to join a court."

The door opened, drawing Faye's attention. Kayla returned, leading a tall brunette by the hand. Her eyes made Faye pause. They were entirely white. She leaned closer to Rune, asking in a hushed whisper, "She's blind?"

"You may speak. I have us concealed."

Faye turned toward him and asked, "An invisibility spell?"

"Similar but more complicated. I could still scent you when you and the harpy trespassed into Lyssa's ball."

Faye nodded, studying the brunette. She wore a satin robe matching the antique gold of Kayla's gown. Kayla led her to a plush chaise, where she took a seat.

"She is spelled with temporary blindness," Rune explained. "This is where the darker courts receive training. The women are not entitled to know the identity of those who service them. Kayla is the madame, she and her managers are the only ones privy to the identity of their clients."