Page 33 of Courting the Tiger King

“This could work,” he said slowly and Skye nodded, pleased.

“Imbeciles,” Sonnet muttered and Gabriel watched the group with a smile on his face.

“See? Teamwork,” he said and Sonnet rolled her eyes.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

NEAH

It had been two days since Neah had spoken with the king, and she was still furious. Not just with Wren, but also herself. He had spied on her, and she’d been none the wiser. It was infuriating,embarrassing. And it didn’t help that Zennon had gone rogue and rebuffed the king.

Two days of stewing had left her foul tempered, and it appeared that Zennon had finally had enough of Neah’s sulking.

“Mustyou scowl every time I enter the room?”

Neah grunted in response and ducked when Zennon reached for a nearby slipper and launched it at Neah’s head. “Really?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, was thatimmature? I thought that was just the way we did things now, or are you finally going to tell me what happened?” Zennon folded her arms across her chest and Neah huffed, turning back to her book from her place where she lounged on the bed. “Clearly something is on your mind.”

Neah threw the book down, a little irritated when it flopped closed and lost her page, and growled at her sister. “Do you have something you want to tell me?”

Zennon looked wary. “Your eyes are glowing.”What?Neah blinked and Zennon shook her head. “Still glowing. I’m not sure I’ve seen them do that before.”

“Stop trying to change the subject,” she said stiffly, bending to retrieve her book from down the side of the bed. “You told the king you weren’t his mate.”

“Oh, that.”

“Yes,that.” Neah gaped. “What on earth is wrong with you?”

“It seemed unfair to let him court me, Neah. He took it rather well. In fact, I’d say he was relieved.” Neah swallowed, willing away the heat that rose to her cheeks as her mind flashed back to the way he’d kissed her. “You’re blushing. But, because I’m a nice person, I won’t pry.”

“Nice is not the first word that comes to mind,” Neah muttered and caught the next slipper Zennon threw in mid-air. “The king has been spying on us.”

This seemed to only intrigue Zen, rather than piss her off like it had Neah. “Oh? Has he learned anything of interest?”

“Too much,” Neah growled and then shook her head. “He knows you’re my sister, and that I’m a spy.”

Zennon walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed next to Neah. “Does he know you were in the house that night?”

“No.” She hesitated. “But I think he suspects.”

“Well, this is good, right? Heisyour mate after all?—”

“We don’t know that,” Neah protested. “I’m just supposed to take his word for it? That he cooked up a spell with Sonnet and the Goddess and that’s that?”

Zennon patted her hand. “Of course not. But you can’t tell me that you don’t feel the connection between you—I’ve seen the way you watch each other, the way you move when you’re together. But by all means,” Zennon continued, eyes not missing a thing as she narrowed them on Neah’s face, “live in denial.”

It wasn’t denial, Neah reasoned. Just… caution. Rationality. Why would the Goddess choose a shifter that can’t shift for theking? And even if she had done just that, she and Wren were all wrong for each other. Neah was prickly, impatient,and occasionally bad tempered. Wren was the opposite of those things, if a little pompous at times—but that was to be expected given that he was royalty.

“Though, you do realise that the lunar hunt is next week? The Goddess has a funny way of getting what she wants, especially during times like the hunt.”

Neah’s mouth went dry. Zennon might have a point. She’d never participated in a hunt before, but she’d heard plenty about them. Something about the fullness and brightness of the moon lowered the inhibitions, creating and cementing connections that were previously denied or unknown. Wild things occurred during the hunt, all of it sanctioned under the light of the Goddess.

“I see no reason for me to attend,” Neah said, hoping Zennon wouldn’t push the issue.

Her sister laughed, flopping back against the sheets and stretching her arms above her head. “For someone so intelligent, you say some very curious things—especially where Wren is concerned.” When Neah didn’t reply, Zennon continued. “Anyone of importance will be invited to the king’s hunt, Neah. It’s considered an honour, and if you decline…”

She sighed. She hadn’t missed court politics a bit, even if she did thrive playing their games. “And you’re so sure the king won’t be guided to you under the moon’s light?”

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