Page 90 of Song of the Shadow Prince
She leaned back until her back met the wall of the carriage. She swallowed loudly. “What for?”
I shrugged. “I want to make sure you’re staying out of trouble. I don’t want to find you dancing for anyone else at The Gilded Serpent,” I smirked.
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “That was a one-time deal. You won’t catch me there again.”
“Good,” I said. “If I do, you won’t like the consequences.”
She snorted. “What? You’ll spank me?”
“Maybe.”
She glared. “You do that, and I’ll chop your balls off!”
I laughed and leaned away. “I believe it!”
Cat narrowed her eyes at me. “You better.”
I watched her in the shadowed carriage and saw the twitch of her lips, as if she was holding back her laughter. I sobered. “I don’t want you going into the Southern District alone again. Let’s meet somewhere in the Northern District tomorrow night.”
She furrowed her brows. “Isn’t it dangerous for you to be this far north and so close to Dragon Valley?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.
“It is,” I said. “But I would risk it… for you.”
She chuckled. “You’re quite the smooth operator.”
“I’m assuming that’s a good thing?” I quirked a brow.
“Sure,” she laughed. “We’ll go with that. The Ryders have a beach house by the water. It’s heavily guarded by a warlock. We can meet there if you’d like. You’ll be safe there, and it’s not close to Dragon Valley.”
I tilted my head and watched her. “A warlock? Since when did you befriend a warlock?”
She grinned. “I have a few aces up my sleeve.”
“Your language is so odd,” I mumbled. “Who is the warlock?”
“Do you know Garrick? Warlock with an eye patch?” She pointed to her eye.
Garrick? She’sinvolved withhim?Does this girl have a death wish?First the fae, and now him?If the emperor ever found out, I was almost positive he’d have her killed on sight. Especially if he found out about the mark on her forearm that matched my own.
“He’s not good company to have, Cat,” I cautiously ventured.
She shrugged. “He’s helped me out a lot, and vice versa. I saved his life.”
I couldn’t stop my eyes from widening.Shesavedhislife? What would a warlock as strong as Garrick possibly need help with from a human? He was the most powerful warlock in all of Elaria. He didn’t need saving. “I find that very hard to believe.”
“Believe it.” She grinned and crossed her arms over her chest. “But whether you do or don’t doesn’t matter. What matters is that he owes me and we’re helping each other out.”
“Fine. I’ll meet you at your beach house tomorrow evening. Let Garrick know to expect me there. I don’t want any trouble,” I grumbled as I exited the carriage and turned to help her down the steps
“Will do.”
I was reluctant to release her soft hand when she reached solid ground, but I let her go when she pulled away. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She jogged toward the front door and called over her shoulder, “Get home safely!”
She knocked on the door and the Ryder servants swiftly opened it for her and ushered her inside. Once the doors were shut behind her, I let out a relieved breath, knowing she was safe at home.
I was about to turn to leave when the shadows shifted and I realized someone was lying in wait. “Come out,” I called out, peering in their direction.
After a pregnant pause, a slender figure stepped out of the darkness and into the puddle of light from a nearby streetlamp.Gianna.
