“Came to see if I’m still alive?” he mocked as he raised his arms for her to inspect him, perfectly intact, from head to toe.
“Ha, ha.” She slid onto a barstool. “Seriously, though, thank you for listening to me and not getting yourself into trouble.”
“Well, except for that shifter,” he said in a contrite tone.
Jade didn’t want him to feel even an ounce of guilt—he’d done a fantastic job when the enemy had attacked. “The beast engaged you. And by the way, nice swing and aim.” She considered how quickly Michael had reacted to her instruction and how solidly he’d delivered a blow to the wolf, stabbing it in the chest and momentarily incapacitating it so Morgan could move in for the kill. “You did great, actually.”
He said, “I didn’t particularly like seeing the wolf’s throat ripped out.”
“Me either, but that’s how you defeat shifters. Toran made me learn on a chicken.”
“That’s disgusting, Jade.”
“Yes, it is.” She paused, then ventured, “Maybe you’d like to join us for some lessons? Toran is still training me.”
He gave her a curious look. “Really, you’d allow that?”
“Doesn’t hurt to know how to properly defend yourself.”
“Interesting offer, especially coming from you.” If she wasn’t mistaken, his chest puffed, as though he was proud of himself that he’d won her approval. “I’ll take you up on that.”
“Good. Now there’s something else. I need to quit my job. It’s impossible to juggle my work here and slayer duties. I barely sleep.”
“Yeah, I can see from your bloodshot eyes.” Though he didn’t know the true source of the redness still burning bright. “I understand,” he told her. “Besides, it’d be undignified for you to be a bar wench when you’re the Demon Queen.”
Her heart sank even further; and not only from his jest. “I won’t be crowned in the near future, if ever, so stop looking glum. I have sufficiently pissed off Davian. For the last time, is my guess.”
Michael seemed to debate whether or not he wanted to continue this topic, but finally asked, “How’d you manage that?”
“Turns out, I’m a huge pain in the ass. Who would have thought?”
His brow furrowed. “That’s not exactly a new world order, Jade. I’m sure he had to know this about you going into the relationship. You did challenge him after Jinx died, remember?”
“Seems there are some boundaries he’ll let me cross. Disobeying him is not one.”
“Ah, yes. You do have a rebellious streak.”
“He told me to stay in the village last night. But I had no choice than to go with Toran, and I defend that action. Still…” Her gaze dropped and she absently rubbed her fingertip along a groove in the wooden bar. “I can see where he’s coming from. I got a healthy dose of my own medicine during our battle.”
“How so?”
Glancing up, she smiled softly at her friend. “I was worried about you, until I realized you were doing exactly as I’d asked by staying out of the way. You reacted when you needed to, rather than purposely putting yourself in danger. I tend to find myself in it when I don’t sit tight the way I’m supposed to.”
“Actually,” Michael mused in a low tone, “perhaps you’re not meant for the sidelines, Jade. As potentially deadly as it could be for you, it seems to me being in the thick of conflict is your strong suit.”
“Wow,” she said on a long breath. “You finally get me.”
“Little late in the day,” he admitted. “But it’s exhausting to keep fighting you, Jade. You’re going to do and say whatever the hell you want, anyway. I’m not the one who can tame you.” He frowned. Then added, “I’m not sure the king can, either.”
With a sigh, she said, “There’s a very good possibility he’s given up trying.” She lifted her hand and wiggled her fingers to show she wasn’t wearing his ring, which just about killed her. “I think I’ve gone beyond infuriating him.”
And her heart broke all over again.
She had to shut her eyes against the sting of tears. Take a few moments to compose herself.
Michael reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “This might be for the best. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to gloat. There’s much more to you than I can handle, Jade. I’ve learned that over the past few months.”
Her lids opened, though her eyes were misty. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out between you and me,” she said in a humble tone. “Apparently, I’m a little more complicated than the average female.”