Page 10 of Reluctant Rebel

Uno looked surprised, raising a giant fist to rub the piercing blue eye in the centre of his forehead. A leaf the size of Jinx’s thumb came out. “Thanks. I didn’t even notice.”

Jinx shared an amused look with Hugo but didn’t comment further. There was nothing to be achieved by making the lovely cyclops self-conscious. “Am I the last to arrive?”

Hugo nodded, already moving to open the double doors for her. “Yep. Draven and Gage have been in there for a while. But Brax, Mikhail, and Sabre only arrived a few minutes ago.” He winked at her. “There should be plenty of bacon left.”

“Thank the gods for that,” Jinx said with a laugh before striding through the open door.

She paused just inside the threshold, taking in her surroundings. The long table gleamed, its surface meticulously set with dishes that probably cost more than Jinx's annual salary. Lounging in a high-backed chair at the far end, feet propped irreverently on the table, sat her best friend and saviour. Sabre was grinning at something Gage said, seemingly at ease with life.

Jinx sighed, feeling endlessly grateful for Brax. So much so that she wrapped her arms around him when he walked over to greet her. His arms encircled her in return, radiating warmth and strength.

“Jinx, my favourite!” he exclaimed, ruffling her hair affectionately. “” was beginning to think you'd stood us up.”

Jinx raised her eyebrows. “Your favourite, huh? Since when?”

“Since Sabre ate all of the bacon,” Gage replied with an eye roll. He walked over and claimed a hug of his own.

Jinx leaned into him, absorbing the easy affection. “The bacon is all gone? Hugo assured me there would be some left.”

“All I did was blink, and it was gone,” Gage informed her.

“Hey, you snooze, you lose,” Sabre informed them all.

Jinx waved at Draven, receiving a warm smile and a head bob in return. She was dying to know how things were progressing with Phaedra, but it probably wasn’t the right time to question the staid angel’s love life.

“Come eat,” Brax invited her, leading her to the table. “And meet my big brother.”

Her heart thundered in her chest, her eyes immediately drawn to the figure standing with his back to her at the opposite end of the table. King Mikhail turned, his piercing green gaze locking onto hers, and Jinx felt the world tilt on its axis.

A heady scent of sandalwood and spice washed over her, igniting every nerve ending in her body. Her tiger roared to life, clawing at her insides with a primal need she'd never experienced before. Her breath caught in her throat, and a warm flush spread across her cheeks and down her neck. Her palms grew damp as she clutched them to her chest, suddenly hyper-aware of her every movement.

Mikhail’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he regarded her, no doubt sensing the shift in the air between them. “Hello, Jinx.It’s a pleasure to see you again.” He chuckled, the sound a little strained as he ran his hands over his tousled brown hair. “I have a little more hair this time.”

Jinx flinched. It was like the sound of his voice pierced her flesh to settle in her body.And my soul,she added as realisation dawned. This man—thisking—was her fated mate.

“Jinx?” Sabre questioned, hopping up and walking to her briskly. “Are you okay?”

“I …” was all Jinx was able to manage. She took a single step forward. Then another, her eyes locked onto the brilliant emerald of Mikhail’s.

Joy bloomed in her chest for a blissful moment, a delicious warmth spreading through her veins. But then cruel reality came crashing down, extinguishing that fledgling spark of happiness. She couldn’t have a mate. And certainly not one who was the ruler of their realm.

“Jinx. What is going on with you?” Sabre questioned, gripping her upper arm.

Jinx stared at Sabre. “He’s my mate.” The words were out before she could stop herself.

The silence in the room was deafening.

Sabre’s mouth hung open in shock for a moment before she closed it with a snap. “Uh, care to repeat that?”

I really don’t,Jinx thought silently. But try as she might, she couldn’t look away from the demon who was born to be her everything.

The moment Mikhail took a step toward her, she regained the ability to move. And she did the only thing she could do. She fled.

5

“What the hell was that?”

Mikhail heard Sabre’s question. He couldn’t help it, given how loudly it was shouted. But his attention was fixed on the now-empty doorway where the most intriguing female he’d ever seen had just rocked his world to its foundations.

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