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Jade pulled in a jagged breath, then let it out slowly Her knees nearly knocked together,her unstable on her feet She widened her stance to steady herself

Not only was the king the largest, strongest-lookingAnd visions of his to her would absolutely not leave her ht, particularly with her body reacting so innately to him His close proxi to her in a flash, causing her cunt to clench as it pulsed vibrantly with need and desire

But she had business to attend to and she found the strength—from Lord only knehere—to do just that

Squaring her shoulders, she said, “At least one, perhaps more, of your wraiths have trackedal Correct?”

“Yes”

His sih he didn’t believe her Lifting her chin a notch, she added, “I’ve been followed in the woods on nuht, someone on horseback watched me as I left the tavern where I work Now Jinx is dead by a demon attack and I think you may as well lay your cards on the table and tell us whether or not we’re on the verge of another war”

The villagers gasped and groaned as they wriggled in their seats

The king’s tolerance wilted on the vine

In a coiven my word and I will stick by it As for what happened with your friend Jinx,” his eyes narrowed on Jade, “I did not interrogate lightly, I assure you And after hours of recounting the incident in the south woods, I believe the event truly was an accident Tragic, certainly But an accident nonetheless The experi to take”

“And what of the deht of Jinx and tears threatened her eyes once ain

“He’s re’s face as he took a few steps closer and said in a low voice, “As am I”

His dark, masculine scent wafted under her nose An earthy aro her extremely uncomfortable Yet she wouldn’t show her weakness for him or his hunky body

She boldly asked, “That’s supposed to mollify us? Comfort us?”

Where her verve came from, she wasn’t sure No, she’d never backed dohen an injustice was done, but this wasn’t some minor scuffle she’d dealt with on occasion at the tavern over whose turn it was to buy the next round or who’d supposedly won a gaed another at the farmer’s market

This was serious and she was standing toe-to-toe with a man who could have her in chains and locked in a cell with nothing er over Jinx’s death and the violation of laws this haughty issuer of regulations wasn’t upholding had her irrational and willing to take a stand