“Remain here,” he said. “I will return shortly.”
He flashed Viola to the master suite, where he spied an unexpected sight. Her pet was indeed here, bouncing on the bed like an unrestrained child. When the little creature spotted him, it froze before lowering into attack position and baring its fangs.
Brochan popped his jaw. “How?” he demanded.
She cringed and slunk away from him, moving between him and the creature. “You’re not going to hurt him. Promise me.”
He thought back. Every time she and the devil-dog had flashed together, she’d held the thing in her arms. The times she’d left it behind, it had remained behind…at least while Brochan had trailed the goddess. But what of the times in between?
Knowing he’d get no answers from her until she had his assurance, he said, “I’m not going to hurt him. Not today.” Brochan might have softened toward the goddess, but not the devil-dog. Good men had died for the mutt.
Her eyes narrowed. “That’s not good enough.” She hurried over to act as the animal’s shield.
“How?” he repeated. “Animals, no matter how bright, cannot flash.”
“Would you believe he was in the neighborhood and stopped by to borrow a cup of sugar?”
“How?” he insisted.
“You don’t deserve to know!”
“You will tell me anyway!”
She gave him a chiding look. “Must you shout? Really, Brochan. We have guests.” As if she were the last sane being in the universe, she threw herself onto the bed, landing next to her pet and bouncing. The two hmphed at him before snuggling. “Speaking of the uninvited, you owe me an apology for the insult you dished me. Also, who is the female and why is she here? I distinctly remember not inviting her for tea.”
He messaged the back of his neck. “Her name is Farrow, and she’s a Forsaken, like me. We plan to enter Nevaeh together.”
Viola jolted into an upright position, her spine ramrod straight. “Enter Nevaeh. Together, you say?” Her quiet tone set his nerves on edge.
“How did I insult you earlier?” he demanded with a jerky wave of his arms.
Another hmph. “As if you don’t know.”
He truly didn’t. “Explain it to me.”
“I’m your partner, in case you’ve forgotten. You’re supposed to confirm absolutely everything I say.”
She could not be serious.
“Really, Brochan, if you can’t be a good ally to others, don’t expect us to be a good ally to you.” She followed her snotty tone with kissy noises at her pet. “So? Is my baby safe forever or not?”
Frustrating female! “I won’t harm it, but I won’t help it either.” The admission burned Brochan’s tongue.
She reacted as if he’d struck her. “It?”
“Female—”
“No. Not another word from you.” Viola extended her arm in expectation. The cuff gleamed on her wrist. “The time for action has come. Kindly remove this hideous piece of hardware. It clashes with my free will.”
He held on to his stubbornness. “Give me the key, and I’ll remove the cuff.”
“Remove the cuff, and I’ll give you a key.”
He…couldn’t. No, he wouldn’t. Maybe she wasn’t a wicked temptress who lied and charmed and worked her wiles on unsuspecting men. But maybe she was. If he removed the cuff, and she flashed, forcing him to chase her…no. He wouldn’t risk dividing his attention between his brother and his woman—er, his partner. Not until he’d thought things through. “Just…stay here with your devil-dog while I deal with the guests. We’ll discuss the cuff tomorrow.”
Chapter Ten
“We’ll discuss the cuff tomorrow,” Viola muttered as she stormed across the palace grounds. A lush garden had come alive almost overnight, just like the oasis. Grass, trees and a multitude of flowers had sprouted below her bedroom balcony. Insects and a few small animals had shown up too. They must have been here all along, seemingly as dead as everything else.
For the first time, those insects and animals darted from her. Sensed the danger of her temper, did they?
Days had passed since the arrival of McCadden and Farrow, but Viola and Brochan hadn’t discussed anything. Not even their rainy interlude, when he’d shocked and thrilled her with his reverent exploration of her body. Or the fact that he’d called her “kitten,” a nickname that had made her heart flutter.
Viola’s patience had worn thin. Did he not realize how important she was to him? To the entire realm? How important it was to keep her happy? This incomparable, bloom-scented air would fade with a single command from her. The world sought to please her. Where was her thanks? Her appreciation?
Something needed to be done. Soon. Unfortunately for Brochan, there was no better doer than Viola. They would be reopening the discussion about the cuff today. Along with the Forsaken they planned to kill and the fact that Brochan hadn’t adored her for an hour a day, as agreed.
She whirled around and raced toward the palace, more than ready to confront him.