Page 7 of Hopeless Magic
Prince Ryder bites his cheek, biting back the sexy smile that kisses his lips.
“Before I was a Hopeless fae, I was the son of the King of Juvar. I’m the exiled Prince of Juvar.”
The word ‘exiled’ stands out among all others. I bite my lower lip, my fingers thrumming against the smooth hilt of my sword at my hip.
How much money could a former prince really have? How much magic would a supposed Hopeless have?
Darrio places his hand on my wrist, holding it. His palm is rough against my skin. My gaze drifts from his grip on me to his steely eyes.
“You’re not really in a place to beconsideringhis offer.” His hand tightens on mine.
“If you do not stopmanhandlingme, you’ll regret it.”
It’s probably not the smartest thing in the world to be threatening someone who may or may not have enough power to murder me without lifting a finger.
He shakes his head. My eyes flutter closed and a long sigh falls from my lips.
Why does everyone doubt me?
I warned him he would regret it. I gave him two chances. And yet, he continues to test me.
The dagger strapped to my outer leg is in my palm in an instant. Within another two seconds, I’ve jammed it hard into the top of his thigh.
A growling groan pushes through his clenched teeth, but it’s a reserved, smothered sound of pain. Every muscle in his body tenses.
“Fuck, she tried to warn you,” Daxdyn says with laughter singing through his tone.
Suddenly, I like Daxdyn a little more.
Each finger slowly lifts from my hand and Darrio holds my blazing gaze as he fists the hilt. With a jarring move, he rips it from his thigh. His eyes close; the only sign of discomfort he gives.
My brow rises high. I’m slightly impressed and even more than slightly attracted to the new stranger I just met.
I must be a fucking masochist.
Without hesitation, I lift my hand, extending my palm out to him.
His jaw tics and he shifts his weight to his good leg before placing the dagger in my palm.
“Thanks.” I give him a warm smile before turning my back on him; confident he won’t touch me ever again. Ryder’s charming smile is still on display. He glances toward Darrio before giving me his full attention. The line between my shoulders keeps an appearance of assuredness held in my posture. “I want an exchange.”
Ryder’s smile grows wolfish. He shoves his hands into his pockets and nods to me. “Everyone has a Hopeless price.”
I nearly roll my eyes once more at the way he’s throwing this hopeless word into every hopeless thing he says. It’s not the f-word. It doesn’t transition that hopeless way … fuck, maybe it does.
“If,” I pause on the word, letting it ring out with clarity, “I take you to the kingdom,” with precision, I wipe Darrio’s blood from my blade onto my dusty black jeans. I take my time, drawing out the anticipation of what I’m about to say, “I want a Hopeless exchange. I want something only magic can give me.”
“What do you want?” He looks me up and down. His gaze drifts down my long legs before coming back up to my narrowed, green eyes.
My head tilts just minimally.
I don’t know these men. I definitely don’t trust them. I refuse to give them information after only knowing them for less than a day.
“I’ll name my price once we come to the ocean that leads to the island of Juvar.” Daxdyn shoots Ryder a look. They’d be stupid to agree to an open trade where I could ask for anything I like. But he nods anyway. What an idiot.
“What’s your name?” Ryder nods to me.
The countless fake names I’ve used over the last five years threaten to slip across my tongue. I choke the names back though. For some strange reason, I don’t lie to him.
