Page 67 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs
Arkan’s smile turns wry. “Well, if it’s any consolation, Ohken already told Gil to fuck off and refuses to play under hiscommand. You can probably steal him, and he might demolish Gil for you on principle alone.”
Laughing again, I shake my head. “That young troll has a lot to learn about leadership.”
Manorin grumbles at my back, “Gil Stoneswallow wouldn’t know leadership if it bit him in the ass. But he’s got Alkazar, and that kid alone is deadly enough. Plus, he’s trying to get recruited, so he’ll give it his all.”
“Well, Hana’s gonna kick ass for you,” Arkan says. “She’s really damn good, as you know.”
“I need a whole team of Hanas,” Manorin says, sighing. He rubs my stomach softly, going quiet as he snuffles against the back of my head.
I sink against him and rub the arm around my belly as he lets out another beleaguered sigh.
“I’ve got to head to the stadium for practice. Depending on how that goes, I might be back late.” He spins me in his arms. “Late dinner at Herschel’s? I’ll make us a reservation.”
I rub his big chest, loving how solid he is beneath my hands. “Sounds great, but I’ll call Herschel. You just focus on kicking Gil’s ass, alright?”
He grins at me, dark brows arching high. I call my power, swirling gold into my irises to tease him, despite Arkan at my back. Manorin’s lips twitch, nostrils flaring.
“Okay then, I’m gonna get out of your horns,” Arkan says as he clip-clops toward the front door.
When I turn to say goodbye, he winks at me. “Don’t forget todangle, Cath.”
Laughter erupts from me as Manorin looks between us.
“Danglewhat?”
“Me,” I manage with a laugh. “He wants me to dangle in front of you to convince you to stay here.”
Manorin’s smile goes more thoughtful. “I’ve gotta be offered the job, first, and I’d never want to assume it’s a given.”
I pop onto my tiptoes and grip him by the nose ring, ensuring he has to look at me. “The triplets and I are going around with Betmal, Ama, Iggy and the hellhound pups later today to pass out the rest of the signs. I didn’t make any for Gil’s team, so hear me on this, Coach: I am one hundred percent in your corner, okay?”
And I always will be.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
MANORIN
The day of the coach-off game, Ever’s slammed. Every restaurant has lines out the door, and Main Street is flooded with monsters from dozens of other havens, thanks to Gil’s meddling. Arkan glamoured downtown so everything is awash in the Misfits’ green and gold hues. Flags hang from every possible surface and matching fireworks whiz pop off at random intervals.
It’s honestly pretty damn festive and I love that. Not to mention, I’m relieved to see just how into skyball Ever got when given the chance.
Catherine and I sit in the Community Garden at the singular table, eating a delicious picnic she packed for us this morning. I had intended to take her out to breakfast before heading to the arena to meet the team and prep, but then Ohken paid us an early morning visit, demanding to be on my team to “crush the smirk off that fucking asshole’s face.”
My Sunshine elegantly bites into a cracker with jam-covered cheese, chewing thoughtfully. The jam covers a little of her top lip, so I reach over and brush it away, smiling.
“Come sit on my lap, Sunshine,” I say, patting my thigh. “Let me lick that off you.”
She opens her mouth to speak, but the sound of a throat clearing interrupts her.
When I turn, Hadrian Alkazar stands at the garden gate, thumbs tucked in the leather belt around his waist. His tail lashes slowly from side to side as he looks at me.
Catherine turns to look, then rests her hand over mine. “We’ll pick this up later, okay? I think your busy day’s about to start, Nor.”
I frown as she stands and rounds the table, pressing a kiss to the end of my snout.
“Find you later,” I promise as she plays with one of my ears, rubbing the inside of it as I resist the urge to demand she use it like a handle.
“You’d better.” Her tone’s light as she saturates the air between us with that gingerbread scent.
