Page 36 of The Mountain King
He lowered his head, a smile on his face, whispering words as if they were two lovers, paused for a bit of flirting. “There are those who feel Lord Maddugh has power and wealth he shouldn’t—wealth and power that should belong to humans. There may be trouble coming, and I wouldn’t want to see you and your daughters caught up in it. Do the right thing, Kailigh. The smart thing.”
“Or else?” She heard the ‘or else’ in his voice, read it in his eyes.
Gaston stepped back, releasing her. “Don’t be silly. I’m not threatening you—simply offering an advantageous business proposition.”
“I don’t like you, Gaston. I think you’re amoral, and likely a cheat as well.”
He laughed. “For a woman who is happy to fuck a beast, you have a high opinion of your morals, Kai—too amusing. I’ll be in touch.”
And with a gentle smile, he bowed and slipped away into the crowd.
* * *
She toldMaddugh about the conversation the following morning. It had taken her overnight to decide what, if anything, to tell him. But in the end, it seemed prudent, so at least she could never be charged with withholding information.
“That’s what you get for opening your big mouth in public,” Kai said.
Maddugh and Amnan exchanged an impassive look. “I’ll have another look around in the morning,” the son said. “Too many of the human eyes were more alert than a faire warrants.”
“You think Gaston had men scouting the town?” Kailigh asked. “What for?”
“What would you do if you were a little man with ambition and you thought your Lord held too much power?” Maddugh asked, voice soft.
“But…” she stared at him, uneasy. “The miners wouldn’t rebel. They need to feed their families.”
“We’ll see.”
Amnan excused himself from the breakfast table. Maddugh turned to Kai once his son was gone. “I thought we might enjoy the morning air—last night was eventful.”
Her brow rose. “A turn around the garden?” Really.
The Lord smiled, bland. “I was thinking something a bit more private. A walk in the forest, perhaps.”
He made it sound so innocent. Kailigh knew better. But… what was she protesting about? A rich, single, handsome male showing interest? He didn’t want her homestead, he wasn’t covertly eyeing her daughters and thinking wedding her would be a feast. So, what was her real problem?
Maddugh just wouldn’t be a manageable kind of husband.
“What are you thinking, Mistress Kailigh?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Never mind. When do we leave?”
“I have some work this morning… at lunch time? We’ll pack a basket.”
How sweet. “You do know I’m not twenty anymore?”
Maddugh rose, approached her. Leaned down and placed a soft, fleeting kiss on her lips. “That doesn’t mean you’re not a woman. And how many times must I tell you? To the Dwyrkin, you are barely even old enough to consent.”
Kailigh snorted, swiping at him as he danced out of the way with a grin. “There will be no need for consenting, Maddugh,” she called as he strode out of the breakfast room.
He poked his head back through the door. “Is that a challenge? I accept.”
* * *
Amnan swooped into the large, dusty clearing and shifted, not bothering with stealth this time, and waded directly into the fight. A few of the smarter two-leggeds scattered, recognizing him instantly.
“Get Gaston!” someone yelled.
Yes. Get Gaston.
