Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
JAX
The same people I surveyed from afar at the Golden Dragon, the same people I mingled with during the Black Night, are at Nobleman Uringi’s party tonight.
None remember my face, but I’m still careful. Especially when it comes to Taaslord Noire.
The big shadow man is intimidating.
A gentle voice comes from behind me. “Jax Kregger?” I freeze, then slowly turn around to see Noblewoman Genji standing there, in all her noble silk galore. “I thought I recognized you from the Black Night. What is a friend of Daegel Talbot doing here?”
Ah, not all nobles only listen to the sound of their own voices. When we met during the Black Night, I told Noblewoman Genji I was here to celebrate my friend, Daegel Talbot.
It was the first time I had learned Ghost’s true name, thanks to Ri and her girls.
I need to start keeping track of the lies I spin. At this rate, I may drown in them.
I flash her my most dazzling smile and run a hand through my hair.
“Noblewoman Genji, what a pleasure to see you again,” I say and take her hand. I bow at the waist and press my lips lightly against the back of her palm while keeping her gaze. She bats her lashes at me. “I have plenty of friends around the city. One of them happens to be Vera D’Argent.”
“Have a drink with me, Mr. Kregger. I insist,” she says once I let go of her hand. “The company is dull. I love a fresh face.”
Don’t they all.
With a nod, I offer her my forearm and she weaves our arms together. “I would be honored to keep you company tonight.”
I steal a quick glance at the bar. Noire and Phoenix stand there, having drinks and a chat.
Not ideal.
A waiter passes us then with a tray full of plum blossom wine. I swipe two glasses and offer one to Noblewoman Genji.
“Thank you,” she says with a smile.
I take charge and lead us a little farther away from all the eyes.
A couple of Caetras are playing instruments in one corner of the room where a group of noblemen lounge on a huge stack of plush pillows. They chat amongst themselves, watching a couple of Caetras dancing in the middle of the room.
It’s a mesmerizing sight as their bodies weave and sway with the rhythm of the music.
“Mr. Kregger, I must warn you, the circle that gathers here tonight is not very fond of Talbots. You may want to avoid mentioning Ezkai Daegel is a friend,” Noblewoman Genji says.
“So I’ve gathered,” I say. I lean in closer to her. “But let me tell you a secret.”
Her beige cheeks turn blush pink, but she leans into me.
I push the long silky hair away from her ear and whisper, “Very few people in Jaakii are fond of Talbots. Even those who call them friends.”
She chuckles, covering her mouth with a delicate hand. The biggest sky blue diamond ring with a gold band sits on one of her fingers.
A wedding band.
I straighten my back. “Tragic, if you ask me.”
Across the room, I meet Vera’s gaze. She’s with Nobleman Uringi, who’s so openly lusting for her attention and any signs of affection it would be pathetic if it weren’t so sad.
The steel gaze is all-consuming. I don’t need to see proof to know Vera dearest has Ezkai just waiting for her sign to end me.
I better find a way to get the thing we came here for.
And fast.
I turn my attention back to the petite fae at my side. Her eyes are hazed with desire. She bites her bottom lip and looks up at me through lowered lashes. “Mr. Kregger, I must ask. When you say you’re Vera’s friend…do you mean a patron or one of her apprentices?”
I can’t help the smirk that curls my lips. These damn nobles are so busy chasing Caetras, I’m surprised they have time to run the country.
“What are you asking me, Noblewoman Genji?”
She lifts her chin. “Who are you, Mr. Kregger?”
A liar.
A thief.
A con artist.
A murderer.
You pick.
Of course, I say none of that.
Instead, I lean in closer once more, and say, “Tonight, my dear, I’m whoever you want me to be.”
Noblewoman Genji exhales a long breath through her parted lips, which are moist and rosy as a rose petal in the early morning.
I drive the last nail in the coffin. “Nobleman Uringi’s estate is beautiful. An architectural masterpiece. You think he may be open to offering a tour?”
Noblewoman Genji places her palm in the middle of my naked chest. “No need for Uringi, Mr. Kregger. I can give you a private tour of his estate. You see, me and my husband, we own the company that designed and built Uringi’s estate.
I know it intimately.” She pauses and wets her lips.
A hot wave of desire washes through me. I can’t help it.
“It has some exquisite features, like the custom hot spring in one of the private back gardens.”
“Sounds fascinating,” I say, voice full of lust. I don’t even need to fake it. “Lead the way, noblewoman.”
Noblewoman Genji is a darling. We walk the corridors deeper into the manor, away from the noise of the party. They’re filled with luxury, gold and rubies. My head spins.
The noblewoman pauses a couple of times to tell me stories about artwork that hangs on the walls, or to explain the origin of the timber that covers the floors.
I barely pay attention to any of it. What I do instead, while she walks me through Uringi’s estate, is map out the rooms and note any secret entrances.
Lucky me, the rest of the estate looks abandoned. All the servants are catering the party.
Vera really knows what she’s doing. I’m beyond impressed.
“Here we are,” Noblewoman Genji says, pushing the eight-panel glass door that leads outside. “This particular garden is my favorite. What do you think?”
I survey the view in front of me. A large stone hot spring rests in the middle of a wild paradise, the long, full branches of a cherry tree hanging over the water.
I feel as if we’re not in Jaakii anymore. We have traveled to the world beyond ours.
“There are birds singing,” I say, unable to hide awe in my voice. “How are there birds singing in the middle of the night?”
“It’s a very rare species called amami shrike.
These birds only gather in the savage lands of Ekios, where they can hide in thick greenery you can see growing around this garden,” she says, proud.
“We created an environment for them here to call home that’s familiar.
Luckily, we were successful, and the birds have taken up residence all year round.
This oasis is one of our biggest business achievements. ”
I nod, impressed to no end. Maybe I underestimate the nobles. Well, at least some of them.
“Shall we get inside?” Noblewoman Genji asks slyly.
I flash her my most dazzling smile. “I thought you’d never ask, darling.”
Laughing and giggling, we shed clothes and settle inside the hot spring. The warm water relaxes my tense muscles.
I pass the noblewoman her glass and finish the rest of my plum wine. It’s thick and sweet as it slides down my throat.
Noblewoman Genji’s desire for me is obvious even to a blind man. But she restrains herself.
She wants to be seduced. Pursued. Courted.
Predictable, of course.
And that so happens to be my specialty.
I do enjoy a good hunt. Even if my prey is so obviously willing to surrender.
I wade closer to her through the warm water. She watches me over the rim of her glass.
“Tell me, Noblewoman, why are you not fond of the Talbots?” My voice is light. I brush a few loose strands away from her face.
“Can I trust you, Mr. Kregger?” she asks after a brief pause. “The fact that you’re Talbot’s friend makes me not want to. But I trust Vera D’Argent with my life, which makes me want to trust you, too.”
Light as a whisper, I caress her cheek. Trace the line of her jaw. She shivers under my touch.
“My friendship with the Talbots is based on survival,” I say. “I think many can say the same. Don’t you agree?”
She nods, eyes fixed on my lips.
“So, you can trust me, Noblewoman,” I say gently. “As much as you can trust any Caetra to guard your secrets.”
She meets my gaze.
Caetras are the most trustworthy of the folk. It’s the reason why noblemen and even Ezkai Generals seek out their company.
“My family’s personal relationship to the Talbots is complicated,” she says with a sigh.
I continue gently caressing her shoulder and neck while she speaks.
“You see, my dear husband made a bad business deal. One that cost us greatly. He went into business with the Talbots not knowing…the full picture of their business. Do you understand what I’m saying? ”
“You mean your husband didn’t know the Talbots were Caligos?”
Surprise flickers in her gaze. She nods, relieved. I just scored extra trust points.
“Now they have their claws in our family’s business and won’t let go,” she says, and shakes her head. “Reizei Talbot has dirt on everyone. And so, my husband and I, we must suffer in silence.”
Even noble fae are not above being slaves.
It’s a comfort of sorts.
“Unfortunate,” I say, empathetically. “I’m sorry to hear that. Your reasons for not liking the family are justified.”
“Indeed, Mr. Kregger.” She falls silent for a moment, lost in thought. Then she blinks and faces me. “I don’t want to dampen the mood by talking about business troubles. It’s beyond boring. Not when I have such company at my side.”
I smirk. My finger runs down her shoulder and arm until I take the hand that bears the large diamond and bring it close to my lips.
“The company is divine,” I murmur. She blushes. “But I must ask, Noblewoman. Does your husband approve? Or will I have him chasing me into my grave if he finds out?”
She laughs, and it’s the sound of wind chimes.
“If my husband wasn’t occupied with some important matters in our country home, he’d be here right now.” She inches closer to me. Over my lips, she whispers, “Watching us and enjoying himself very much.”
Before I know it, her soft lips are on mine.
A hot wave of desire washes over me. My hands find her waist, the naked skin soft to the touch of my callused fingers.
She moves closer to me, her breasts pressing into my chest, further stirring the desire.
Carefully, I part her lips with my tongue. Gently, I brush the very tip over her upper lip, teasing.
A soft moan escapes her, and she opens for me. In a blink, she’s in my lap, our mouths sliding from one kiss to the next one.
I’m drawing in the softness of her skin, the warmth of hot spring water. In the smell of earth and freshly cut grass, the ripened cherries bursting above our heads. The wetness of her rosy lips as they claim me.
I’m a thirsty man, looking to quench the never-ending thirst. A man looking for salvation.
For tonight, she’s my savior.