Page 38 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

It might be stupid, but I jump between them, throwing my hands out to keep them apart. “Enough! Stop it! Both of you!”

Illren and Rook continue to glare at one another. Illren’s chest is heaving, and Rook’s lips are pulled back in a snarl, his canines on full display. The tension rolling off them is palpable, but at least they aren’t ripping into each other.

“You’re going to have to learn to share, wolf,” Illren says, his voice lethal. “Even if she does not accept me, therewillbe others. It’s the only way for her.”

My head whips to Illren so fast I get whiplash. “What do you meaneven if I don’t accept you?”

Illren pulls his attention away from Rook and gives me a heated stare. “You need a harem of men to both calm the power of your song and to keep you safe from those who would kill you for being what you are. I intend to become one of those men.”

Rook growls again, and my jaw falls slack.“What?”I screech.

Illren cocks a brow at me as if to say,Why wouldn’t I?“You are the most powerful and most beautiful fey in all of Detroit. On top of that, you’re intelligent, spirited, and brave. I would behonoredto be a member of your harem.”

“Take a number,” I mutter, reaching up to rub my temples. As if I don’t have enough men in my life already? I’m at a total loss as to what to do right now. He’s not just asking to protect me; he’s asking to be part of myharem. Like, as in, he’s offering to become my lover—my life partner. Just like that. Obviously, I’m not just going to say,Hey, sure, let’s become mates. Why not?But what else am I supposed to do? Reject anassassin?Would he even let me? He seems like the type of guy that knows how to get his way.

As if he can sense a rejection coming, Illren’s eyes narrow in a way that sends a spark of fear into my heart. Quick as a flash, he yanks me toward him until our bodies are flush against one another. I suck in a surprised gasp, and he slides his arm around my lower back, keeping me pinned to him. His eyes burn with intensity and desire. “I will not stand idly aside when there is something I want within my grasp, andyou, Nora, are what I want.”

Rook growls again. His ears lay flat, and the hair on his back stands up. He’s one breath away from attacking Illren. I think the fact that I’m not freaking out or trying to push Illren away is the only reason he’s not pouncing.

My heart speeds up, the familiar fear of being in a man’s grasp creeping up from my gut. I push it back down. Illren’s not going to hurt me, and I know how to escape this hold. Rook taught me how. I resist the urge to escape, because I don’t want Illren to see my weakness. Then I take a deep breath, willing myself to stay strong and not let him manipulate me. “You and every other man in this city,” I quip.

His lips twitch. “I am not every other man in this city,” he murmurs, his stunning violet eyes locked on mine.

Before I can reply, he drops to one knee in front of me and takes my hand in his. My eyes bulge. He can’t be about topropose?

“Nora Jacobs, I pledge to you my fealty. I am yours to command, so long as you wish it.”

The tingle of magic fills the air around me, raising goose bumps on my arms and neck. Giselle and her men all gasp, and Rook snarls. All I can do is blink at Illren. He can’t be serious. For a fey to swear fealty is to essentially pledge their allegiance to you like a loyal subject. “No, please,” I whisper, voice shaking. “You don’t have to do that.”

Illren glares at me and brings the back of my hand to his bowed head. “It is already done. My life is yours—body and soul. Use me, my mistress. I wish to protect you and help calm your cursed heart.”

I shake my head. “I can’t just—you don’t have to—”

“He does have to,” Giselle says, staring at Illren with wonder. “Swearing fealty is a binding promise. His fey magic will hold him to it unless you release him. But to do so would be the greatest insult you could give him—a humiliation and disgrace worthy of banishment or death.”

The blood drains from my face, leaving me slightly dizzy.What the hell just happened?

I shoot a panicked glance to Rook. He presses his body against my side and pushes his nose into my free hand with a whine. I bury my fingers in his thick fur and rack my brain for some kind of solution to this mess. I see no way out.

I try several times to speak, but no words come. The city’s deadliest assassin just bound himself to me. What the hell am I supposed to do with him? I don’t want anyone beholden to me, but I can’t cause himhumiliation and disgrace worthy of banishment or death.

“Please get up,” I finally croak.

Illren rises to his feet in one swift motion. “You’re overwhelmed right now,” he says quietly. It might be the first time I’ve heard him sound soft. “But you will not regret this.”

“What am I supposed to—”

He cuts me off with a quick, firm kiss to my mouth and then releases me before I have time to panic. “I will get my affairs in order and see you later, my mistress. Call me if you need me.”

Then, with one last smirk Rook’s direction, he walks away, leaving me staring after him.

I plop heavily intothe passenger seat of Rook’s truck, barely registering it when Rook shifts back to his human form and quickly changes into a spare set of clothes that were under the seat. He slides in behind the wheel, and we both just sit there for a moment. “You okay?” Rook asks, breaking the silence.

I nod absently, staring out the windshield at the empty street. “I guess.” My nod turns into a shake. “I don’t know.”

Rook sighs and pulls me across the cab into his lap. He cradles me in his arms with my back against the driver’s side window and my feet stretched out to the passenger seat. I’m startled by the move and blush fiercely, but Rook refuses to let me go. His eyes are glowing faintly, and his chest is rumbling.

“Rook?”

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