Page 62 of Ironling
“You’re only making it more alluring to me, my lady.”
Lady Aislinn thought a moment before smiling and stretching out her hand. “All right, then. The estate is yours. I look forward to seeing you at the next council meeting.”
“As do I.”
Allarion took her hand, and they shook in the human way.
Hakon swallowed the growl building in his chest that another unmated male might touch that which wasn’t his.
Although sure he hadn’t made a sound, the fae’s unnatural gaze slid to him, one brow ticking up in an interested arch.
“Would you prefer we decide today on a payment schedule or wait until my father returns? The deed will need his seal of writ before it’s final.”
“No need,” said Allarion. From beneath his fathomless cloak, he pulled a clinking velvet sack and laid it on the open map. “I believe this will do?”
Lady Aislinn blinked at the coin purse. “Quite so,” she murmured, as surprised as Hakon at the sight of such a bulging purse.
Shaking herself, Lady Aislinn pulled a fresh piece of parchment from a stack and began writing up the terms of the sale and deed. When everything was decided and final, she signed it and then passed it to Allarion for his signature.
Rather than taking the quill she offered, Allarion ran the tip of a finger over the parchment. A spark and sudden smell of ash filled the room. Allarion’s burnt signature appeared alongside Lady Aislinn’s.
“My father will need to sign it as well and add his seal,” said the heiress, staring in wonderment at the fae’s signature.
“That will be soon?”
Blinking, Lady Aislinn looked up to nod. “Yes, he returns tomorrow for the wedding. I will personally ensure he signs itand give it to you at the wedding, if that is agreeable?”
“Indeed.” Pleased, the fae swept into a low bow, his long hair nearly touching the floorboards. “Thank you for seeing me, my lady.”
“Of course! I apologize again that it’s taken this long to sort out.”
Straightening from his bow, Allarion’s face went hard again. Gone was the pleasant charm as he negotiated with Lady Aislinn.
“I don’t mean to presume, my lady, but you might consider looking into the matter of how correspondence makes its way to you.”
Her lips parted in surprise, but then the fae was bowing and saying his farewells.
“I will see you both at the wedding.”
And with a swish of his cloak, he departed, leaving behind whispers of magic.
Hakon and Lady Aislinn stared after him for a long moment before blinking at each other.
“I can’t believe there was a fae warrior in my study,” she whispered.
“At least he didn’t bring the unicorn with him.”
Her lips scrunched and then Lady Aislinn let out a peal of laughter. Hakon joined in, lighting up at seeing her amusement.
She settled back in her chair, the smile still on her lips. “A visit from a fae and the largest land sale in a decade—all before luncheon.”
“All the other heiresses will be envious.”
Lady Aislinn snorted. “Hardly.”
Hakon’s gaze stole to the map, still open on her desk. Reaching into his pocket, he approached her, his throat going tight.
“While the map is out…I wondered if I might claim my ownland sale.”
