By Fairy Means or Foul: A Starfig Investigations Novel(80)

“Don’t get mouthy with me, pet.” Brandsome’s voice had gone deathly quiet and Quinn shuddered against me. He was truly afraid of Brandsome. Considering his bravery when faced with evil faes, zombies, and a pain-in-the-ass Red Fury, that said something. Damn. If I hated Brandsome before, he just moved to the top of my most-wanted-to-gut list.

A loud pop had us all turning back to my desk. My father reappeared in person, waving a scroll. “Ah, here we go. Ransoner’s Principles, Section 4352z. This effectively makes null and void your contract with the witches’ council. You cannot hold a wizard as an indentured servant.”

“But—”

“I naturally brought this matter to the attention of the council and”—he snapped his fingers and another scroll appeared—“I took the time to write up an opinion piece on it, signed by all twelve members that will run in the Daily Chronicles tomorrow, so there will be no mistake on the legislation. We’ve also added it to our next meeting’s agenda so we can refine some of the finer points of policy. Can’t have it misinterpreted, can we?”

“That’s not fair!” Brandsome threw up his hands. “I paid good coin for him.”

“So you did. Don’t worry Mr. Nightwind. It’s the witches’ council’s responsibility to return your coin. I believe you just need to fill out Form 995432176456999.1 in triplicate. Then there’s Form 81205400367.9. Also in triplicate. I believe you also need to include a personal statement.” My father shook his head. “The Witches’ bureaucracy isn’t very efficient. Of course, you could ask Twig to agree to reimburse you, since my son would probably not want to wait until the witches go through their paperwork. His wizard would have to stay with the witches until they’d reviewed and signed off on everything, so you might get lucky. Or not. You could always ask. Either way, this matter is officially decided.”

“But—”

My father clapped his hands and both Quinn’s original contract and my temporary one appeared. My dad placed his hands on both and they went up in smoke. “Would you like me to notify the witches’ council you’ll be pressing your claim?”

Brandsome sputtered, but Quinn whooped and threw himself into my arms, holding me tight. I turned us toward Brandsome. “I’m willing to pay out the contract.”

“You don’t have to pay for me!” Quinn said. “I’d never be able to pay you back.”

“Mates don’t worry about those sorts of things. Whatever I have is yours.”

“Mates?” Quinn looked at me with such awe that my body warmed from his regard. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. We have a lot to discuss. Are you sure you want to belong to me? You don’t need to make that decision now.”

“I do want to belong to you, Twig. I-I just need . . .”

“Time. Me, too. It will require a lot of changes on both our parts, so I’m in no rush.” My dragon naturally didn’t agree.

I kissed him, softly, just a peck. Any more and I’d bend him over my desk, which I assumed my father and Brandsome would not appreciate. Not that I gave a fuck what Brandsome thought.

“Well, now that it’s settled, I need to get back to work. Principles don’t write themselves, you know. Twig, we’ll be in touch.”

I nodded. My father’s last words chilled me because it meant we’d be having another talk about what I planned to do for the Starfig name. He’d certainly demand something. There’d be a price to pay for his help. But damn if I wasn’t willing to pay it.

“I left the wizard’s temporary resident’s permit upstairs on the table with yours. We’ll work on the rest later.” He disappeared and I focused on Brandsome again.

“So, do you want the money or would you rather go through the very lengthy process of dealing with the witches’ council?”

“Syrup and sugar kisses, you can’t fool me. You don’t want to be separated from him. I could perhaps be convinced to deal with you if you sweetened the pot—”

Before I could respond, Quinn charged Brandsome and punched him right in his too-perfect mouth. Brandsome shrieked like he’d been stabbed and covered his mouth with his palm. “You beast! I should have you arrested!”

“Try it, you pathetic excuse for a horse.”

“You can’t talk to me like that.” Brandsome’s magic filled the room again. So Quinn broke his nose.

“Your magic doesn’t affect me. Remember, it can’t affect true love.” He looked back at me and his eyes went all soft. “And I do love you, Twig. I probably did from the beginning; it just took me a bit to realize it.”

I smiled. “Right back atcha, babe.”

“My nose! You broke my perfect nose!” Brandsome wailed.

“I’m about to break your perfect teeth,” Quinn growled, and I laughed. “Besides, I’m not in the Alphae. I’m Lovely Creatures all the way. Nothing wrong with being the prolefairyat. Especially since they don’t have any silly rules about not attacking first.”

I snickered. “Prolefairyat? I like it.”

“Thanks, I just thought of it on the fly.”

“My father will insist that you be accepted into the Alphae once we mate. It’s a Starfig thing.”