Page 50 of The Unseelie Wish
“What’d I do now?” She arched an eyebrow.
“You’ve made me the hero. I’m going to die as the good guy.” Making a face, he stuck out his tongue. “It’s disgusting. Utterly horrendous and insulting. It’s against every proper law of nature.”
Laughing, she reached up and tucked a loose strand of his sea-green hair behind his ear. He liked looking rakish—and tried very hard to be just on the mussed side of perfectly put together. “You’re right. It’s not a good look for you.”
“I know! That’s what I’m saying!” he whined. “But at least tonight, we can dance—we can get entirely smashed on alcohol—and I can finally, finally hear you sing.”
“I never did actually agree to that.” She poked him in the middle of his chest. When he stuck out his lower lip in his best childlike pout, her stern expression cracked into a smile. “Fine, fine. I’ll sing.”
“I wasn’t really going to give you an option, you know.”
“I know.” Her smile didn’t falter. “I—I know I’m not supposed to say this, but I’m going to anyway. Fuck it.”
“You say that all the time.”
“That’s not what I was—” She sighed. “Don’t ruin the moment.”
“We’re having a moment?” It was his turn to arch his eyebrow.
“Iz.”
He did love the nickname. Smiling patiently, he let her speak.
“What I was trying to say was this. Thank you.”
“Dangerous.”
“What the fuck’s the worst that can happen now? You’re already going to have my soul. I’m going to die. What’s one more favor?” Alex rolled her eyes and went to pull out of his grasp. He wouldn’t allow it, keeping her stuck. She was being bashful again. By all the gods above and below, she was adorable when she was being bashful.
“What am I being thanked for?”
“I know you’ve been trying your best. For me. You’ve been going about it like a, well, like an asshole—but you’re Unseelie. I suppose that’s part of the gig.”
He huffed, feigning insult, but his smile wasn’t kidding anyone.
“Anyway, I don’t know. We have fun together. The most fun I’ve had in years. I enjoy my time with you. I just…I’m sad it’s coming to an end. So, I just wanted to say thanks. For the laughs.”
“And the epic sex.”
Clearly wanting to hide how funny she thought that was, she rested her forehead against his chest. “Don’t ruin it, Iz.”
“Me? The Duke of Bones? Ruin a charming, emotional moment?” Bending down, he scooped her up without warning, carrying her in his arms like a human bride being carried across the threshold. She squeaked in surprise. With an ear-to-ear grin, he finished his reply. “Always.”
She kissed him. Gently. Sweetly.
It almost broke his heart.
Growling, he looked up at the ceiling. No, he would not cry. He would not. He refused! First, she had debased him by making him honorable. And now she was going to make him cry again? No. No! He would not allow it. “Tonight is meant to be a celebration. We are going to paint the streets red, my dear, and then I am going to take you to my home and fill every hole you own until you beg me for mercy.”
That had her cheeks reddening.
She put her hand on his chest. “I’m not ready to go yet.”
“What do you need to do? You look fine.”
Chuckling, she wriggled until he put her on her feet. She tugged her dress down her legs, straightening it back out. “I need to talk to Puck.”
“But—” Izael felt paranoia rising instantly. “Why?”