Page 37 of White Charms and Dark Secrets

“It's complicated.”

“Tell me or you can't use it.” He raises his dark eyebrows at me in challenge, and sits back, just waiting for me to spill all my secrets.

“I need it to find a criminal I accidentally broke out of The Tomb,” I answer, albeit begrudgingly.

“Kier's father? No, out of the question,” he retorts without skipping a beat.

“Wait. How the hell did you know it was Kier's father?” I exclaim. He only smirks in answer. “You're ridiculous,” I huff, crossing my arms as I begin to pace. “He's a criminal, Rhydian. It's my fault he's free. He could be out there, hurting people, and I'm responsible for that. I need to find him and make this right. Please.”

“Let me ask you a question... If it wasn't Kier's father, would you ask me for this?” he demands, though he keeps his voice soft.

I pause in my pacing, the question taking me by surprise. I didn’t even think about helping to find the criminal until I knew it was Kier's dad. Sure, I planned to tell Kier everything I knew, but until then, I didn’t intend to get involved. I know it shouldn't make a difference, but it does to me. I can't help but feel more obligated, knowing Kier’s history with him.

I know Kier, and in a weird way, I even care about him. Yes, he stalked me in his efforts to catch a murderer, but he also saved my life. He brought me home, and he made sure I was safe. He didn't even report me when I resurrected Jay to try to find his real killer. If anything, he helped me with it. The answer to Rhydian's question is obvious.

“No, I wouldn't, but that doesn't matter becauseit isKier's father, andit isstill my fault. Please, Rhydian, I don’t know any other way I can make things right,” I beg, turning to face him so I can try and implore him with my eyes.

He stares at me for a few moments without speaking. It's so damn quiet I swear I can hear my own heartbeat.

“I admire your honesty. Fine. I will allow you, and only you, to use the artefact. However, you cannot tell Kier how you found his father, and you cannot ever speak of this to anyone. This artefact must remain hidden. It's bad enough your murdering little friend knows about it.”

So glad he's helping, I choose to ignore his jibe about Lizzy. “Thank you—”

“Don't thank me just yet, sweetheart. I want something in exchange,” he says, cutting me off with a wave of his hand. He stands up, stalking towards me slowly.

“What do you want?” I ask with a heavy sigh.Knowing Rhydian, it won't be anything good.

“No need to sound so dismayed. You want something, and I want something in return. Isn't that how all transactions in the world work?” he volleys, his green eyes seem to contain a mischievous glimmer in the light.

“What do you want?” I insist again. I don't have time for childish games.

“You just have to take the fun out of everything, don't you?” He's smiling as he says it though.

“Rhydian,” I groan, my patience running out.

“Kiss me, Kayla,” his soft voice demands as he leans down just enough that I can reach him if I reach up. I look at him, my eyes widening for a second.He cannot be serious.His expression tells a different story, though. He's serious. Incorrigible, flirtatious fae, can’t resist snagging a kiss from anyone I bet.

I roll my eyes at him, before leaning up and pressing my lips against his in a quick, light kiss and reeling back, not giving him a chance to return the faint kiss.There.

“You can do better than that,” he teases.

I showed way too much optimism in expecting him to accept that ghost of a kiss, but I had to try.

“You're an asshole,” I mutter, glaring at him, before wrapping my hand around his neck and tugging his head down to me. I shove my guilt at kissing Rhydian aside for a moment with the reassurance that I'm doing this for a good cause.It’s not like I want to kiss him, right?

Our lips crash together, and I feel his arms slip around my waist, yanking me closer against him. His tongue pushes past my lips, tangling with mine as he kisses me with a reckless fervour. A moan escapes my lips when one of his hands moves up to clutch my throat, holding me with just enough pressure as his lips move from mine and down to my jawline. My eyelids flutter shut as he continues the trail of kisses to my neck.

As suddenly as it all started, it stops as he steps away, a satisfied look on his face. I'm left breathless and confused at my frustration with him pulling away so quickly.

“Better?” I use the sarcastic taunt in an attempt to hide my fluster, granted, only after taking a few calming breaths. My heart races, and I can feel the flush in my cheeks. No alcohol here to blame it on, though. I lick my lips, nerves keeping me on edge.

“Perfect,” he hums. “Now that we worked out some of our frustration with that bit of fun, we should discuss what you’ll give me in exchange for letting you use the artefact.”

“You absolute dick!” I snap with a shriek upon realising his trick.He totally fucking played me!

“Hey, I never said the kiss constituted your part of the exchange, you just assumed. Never assume anything, Kayla.” He winks at me.He freaking winks.Rage boils inside of me. “Now, as far as the deal goes, we'll just say you owe me one, considering I can't think of anything right now.”

“I hate you,” I grumble, turning away from him so I don’t give into my urge to smack him from pure frustration.

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