Winter Halo (Outcast 2)

“You’re most welcome.” I turned around and wrapped my arms loosely around his neck. “I’m thinking said demons aren’t entirely banished, though?”

“You could say that.” He traced a line around my lips, his expression edging toward dark. Furious. “I was given an ultimatum.”

“Whom by?”

He leaned forward and kissed me for several minutes. It tasted of anger and hate—the former aimed at his boss, the latter for the situation he’d been forced into.

“My boss,” he said eventually.

I raised a hand and cupped his cheek, my expression one of concern. “What sort of ultimatum? Or aren’t you allowed to talk about it?”

He snorted, a sound that was rough and wrong on his lips. “The latter, but it’s not like they can sack me when I’ve already given notice.”

“Why?” The shock in my voice was real enough. Why, why, why?

“Because he’s asking the impossible and as much as I love working there, I do have other options. I don’t need the stress of impossible targets.”

I resisted the urge to ask what those targets were or what his options might be. Now was not the time, even if the latter would certainly play a part in what happened next between him and me. “I’m so sorry, Charles.”

“So am I.”

I rose on my toes and kissed him. After what seemed like ages, he pulled back, then caught my hand and tugged me toward the stairs. “Let’s take this somewhere more comfortable.”

We moved into my bedroom. This time, he took his time; even when he entered me, there was no rush, just a gradual buildup of heat. It gave me time to go deeper into his mind, catch more than fleeting glimpses. What Rath had demanded was the cessation of financial support to all projects on the lower level, with funds being diverted to those on the upper levels. He hadn’t specified which projects, but it wasn’t hard to guess the ones he meant. Charles had refused and then quit. Rath Winter had immediately ordered guards to escort him out of the building. No good-byes, no here’s your stuff, now leave, nothing.

I dove deeper into his memories, trying to discover how many people had access to the thirtieth floor. It seemed most departmental heads from the lower floors did, which meant around six people. I couldn’t find any information about the upper levels, but it probably ran along similar lines.

I became aware of heated movements and carefully withdrew from his memories. My body had been primed for completeness by then, and I came at the same time as he did. He kissed me, then rolled to one side and gathered me in his arms. Neither of us spoke for a while, but eventually I said, “So, what are you going to do now? Go back there until they find a replacement?”

“No.” His breath was warm against my cheek. “They marched me out; my personal stuff and severance pay will be forwarded, apparently.”

“Oh, that’s dreadful!”

“But not unexpected. He’s done it before with departmental heads who refused to play his games.” He sighed and rubbed a hand across his eyes. “As to what I’ll do, well, the family has been after me for a while to take up my position in the House of Lords.”

Which explained the odd emphasis Nuri had placed on information gathering when I mentioned Charles to her. As a member of the House of Lords, he had full access to Government House and everything that went on there. And it was yet another example of Rhea favoring our quest.

“And is that something you really want?”

He grimaced. “It’s something I’ve been avoiding, but I am my father’s only son, so it is both my duty and my place.”

“And here I was, believing that sort of thinking went out with the Dark Ages.”

He smiled. “There are some traditions that never go away, I’m afraid.”

And I couldn’t help being glad of that, because if Charles did take his seat there, it would certainly work to my advantage. As his lover, I might not get access to Government House itself, but I sure as hell had access to his thoughts and memories.

He threw one leg over mine and dragged me a little closer. “As I appear to have the rest of the afternoon and the evening free, I would very much like to spend it with you.”

I sighed. “I’d love to spend more time with you, but I’m afraid I have a dinner appointment.”

“Ah.” He idly played with my nipples. “Is this another rival for you affections, or the same one?”

“The same.”

“Should I have cause to worry?”

“He is the most annoying and opinionated man I have ever had the displeasure of meeting.” Not to mention strong, thoughtful, and caring, that inner voice unhelpfully whispered.