by T. K. Perry
“Tiger!”
“What?” He finally met her gaze, then quickly looked away.
“You said I smell like rotten things!”
“So?”
“You normally curl up to sleep with rotten things?” she challenged.
He shrugged defensively as he picked up the blanket and inhaled. “It doesn’t smell like you.”
“I slept all day wrapped up in it," she asserted, then blushed furiously, "without my clothes.”
Tiger made a sound like he was trying to clear his throat and failed. She risked a quick glance at him and caught sight of his stubbled cheek, ruddy with embarrassment, as he gripped the blanket in both hands.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” she demanded. “You lied to me.”
“You lie to me, too.”
“I never get away with it!”
Tiger chuckled. “No, you don’t,” he agreed, tossing the blanket across his bed.
Lexi shoved at his chest. “Why did you do that?! I was miserable thinking I disgusted you!”
“And is it so much better now?”
Lexi swallowed her answer as the air filled with the rich scent of musk, less floral than Wes’ and twice as soothing. Lexi clutched at his shirt as her legs weakened.
Tiger laughed without amusement. “You can’t even stand when you smell me.” He cradled her face in one large, calloused hand while the other covered hers. “Couldn’t let it go, could you?”
Lexi drew an uneven breath and shook her head.
He smiled sadly. “I should have known. You want to hear that I’m attracted to you? I am. But what good can come of that?”
Rather than answer, Lexi leaned forward and kissed the hand covering hers.
“No.” Tiger pulled both hands back as she clutched his shirt more tightly. “Come on, let’s get you some air,” he urged, gently towing her over to the balcony doors. He kicked the rugs aside and pulled both doors open. Still clinging to his shirt, Lexi stumbled with his movement, and he steadied her. “Big breaths,” he directed as they stood in the moonlight.
Lexi released his shirt, flushing, and cast a quick glance down into the courtyard to assure herself no one was watching. Catching sight of a couple strolling, she drew herself up taller, and squared her shoulders.
“Hello, Your Highness,” Tiger teased.
Lexi shook her head. “Don’t do that, Tiger,” she warned, and stepped back into his room where they couldn’t be seen.
Tiger caught her arm. “That’s not a good idea, Lex.”
“Perhaps you should have considered that before you signaled me.”
Tiger released her arm with an irritated breath. “I wasn’t signaling you, I was just showing you.”
“Thank you for the demonstration,” Lexi said coldly.
“I don’t blame you for kissing me. I don’t think you could help it.”
Lexi’s face froze into a frigid smile as her hair blew around her face. “How generous.”
“I’m not trying to offend you. I’m trying to salvage our friendship.”
Lexi gave him a slight nod. “I appreciate that,” she said, her voice expressionless.
“Do you, My Queen?” Tiger mocked.
Lexi drew in a long breath before answering. “Harsh.”
Tiger winced and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “Now you can see why I had to lie,” he muttered.
“No. No, I don’t understand that at all.”
Tiger stared at her incredulously for a moment. “My mother is your servant. I am your servant for that matter. If I try to marry you, the Queen will probably have me executed and imprison my mother. If we try to hide, my mother bears the brunt of the Queen’s fury. Not to mention, we have no way to live because I can’t transfer my apprenticeship without them knowing. I really don’t even think the Governor will agree to marry us. So where does that leave us? Unmarried, hiding, with my mom in a dungeon. We have no future! Now do you see? Wasn’t it nicer when we weren’t having this miserable conversation? Wasn’t it better when I was the only one trying to figure out any possible way for a happy ending?”
Lexi stood wide-eyed at his harangue, flinching slightly each time he raised his voice, until he stood directly in front of her waiting for an answer. A foolish corner of her brain was fluttering with happiness despite the heavy wash of acidic reality that surrounded it. Ridiculously, that same corner seemed to have control of her eyes. Rather than meet his and give him an answer, they traveled the length of his mouth, finding the exact place where the stubbled skin softened to lips. Almost involuntarily, she moved forward to meet them, a hesitant hand touching his chest, then clutching his shirt as he grabbed her shoulders and kissed her hard. The brown stubble was rough to her lips, but the kiss was so heady that she didn’t feel the discomfort of it until he pulled back.
“Now it’s worse,” he said, wiping his mouth as if to erase what he had done. “Sorry.”
Lexi slowly released her grip on his shirt and opened her eyes. “I’m engaged to Cam.”
“Well, good. You can hide somewhere with your obedient little servant boy, and I’ll see you back at the palace in about two months.”
Lexi shook her head. “I’m–we’re– not going to the palace.”
“Not by choice, but that is where the royal guard will take you once they track you down.”
“You’re being unfair to her; she wouldn’t do that,” Lexi asserted, her jaw tightening.
“She sent Talan, two guards, and a marriage certificate after you the first time.”
Lexi shook her head. “But I’ll be pregnant by then; she won’t try to move me. And then she won’t try to move the babies. I should have at least two years for her to calm down.”
“Better hurry, then. I expect more of the royal guard is already on its way.”
Lexi fought down panic. “Why do you say that?”
“She thought Talan would bring you back before now. I expect phase two of the Bring Lexi Home project is well under way.”
Lexi leaned a hand against the wall and tried to steady her breathing.
Tiger smirked and threw her the blanket.
Lexi caught it, then nonchalantly folded it over her arms, trying to hide the comfort she drew from the scent. “We can’t leave yet. She might think I’m carrying Talan’s children.”
Tiger’s bushy eyebrows drew together in a scowl of thought. “When did he tell you that?”
Lexi shrugged. “An hour or two ago.”
“After you told him you were engaged to Cam?”
Lexi frowned. “Talan was there when we got engaged. And yes, he told me afterwards.”
Tiger shook his head. “Talan’s trying to keep you here. I’m sure he knows your mother will send more guards after you. It’s possible he’s lying about your mother believing you mated with him.”
Lexi drew the blanket up to her chin in agitation. “So what now? Run with Cam?”
“They’ll still find you. And even if they don’t want to risk moving you or your children, they’ll have no trouble imprisoning Cam.”
Lexi covered her face with the blanket. “This seemed like such a good idea when my father suggested it.”
“No offense, Lex, but the King has never been good at anticipating the Queen’s behavior. If he was, he never would have married her.”
Lexi dropped the blanket from her face abruptly. “He loves her. He thinks she’s a good Queen.”
“Well, good. That probably makes her abuse a lot easier to take.”
“She isn’t abusive, she just goes too far to get what she wants.”
Tiger laughed. “Fine. Do you want my advice?”
Lexi folded the blanket back under her chin with a scowling forehead and pouting mouth. “Yes,” she admitted.
“Forget your obedient fiancé, and when the royal guard shows up, go home with them. Convince your mother you haven’t mated with anyone, then wait for a decent nobleman to come into season.”
“She won�
�t let me wait,” Lexi said, her voice weary. “She’ll make me marry Talan.”
“Lex, she can’t make you do anything. Your choices may be lousy, but you always have them.” Setting his hands on her shoulders, he waited for her to meet his eyes before he continued. “She can’t force you to seal yourself to Talan. Do you really not get that?”
“But it’s not just me. If I defy her, she’ll make everyone around me suffer for it, too.”
Tiger snorted. “And you don’t think she’s abusive.” Seeing her scowl, he quickly changed the topic. “And that’s why you shouldn’t get married yet. Any commoner you marry will become a convenient target for the Queen’s wrath.”
Lexi sighed deeply, her mouth twitching into a smile from the pheromones she had just inhaled.
“Yeah, okay,” Tiger said, taking the blanket and stepping away from her. “You’ve had enough.”
Lexi yanked the blanket back. “You shouldn’t have it, either.”
Tiger scowled and reached for it. “I’ll have it laundered.”
Lexi held it behind her back. “No, I will.”
“Fine. I’ll go with you,” Tiger said, pulling on a boot.
Lexi smirked, then her lips broke apart as a full laugh bubbled up her throat. “This is stupid. We’re escorting a blanket to be washed.”
“I’m escorting an addict to dispose of her stash.”
Lexi slugged him in the arm, throwing him off balance as he tried to put on his second boot. Giggling, she made it to the door before he stomped on the trailing blanket, pulling it from her grasp. Still laughing, she ran back to fetch it just as Tiger gathered it up. She tried to wrest it from him, but he held it over her head. Lexi immediately flew up, took it from his hands, and fluttered towards the balcony doors.
"That worked better when you couldn't fly," he chuckled, grabbing her ankle as she tried to escape. Lexi shrieked and turned to kick at him, but he deftly caught the other leg and pulled her down. Bracing himself, he caught her by the waist as she fell against his chest, and she grabbed his shoulders to steady herself. Laughing, she looked up at him, but his proximity quieted their humor.
“Last time,” he promised, letting his scent cloud her mind into a delicious haze of security and warmth. His lips were gentle on hers as her hands slid up to twine around his neck, the blanket forgotten at their feet.
They both froze when the knock sounded, then reluctantly pulled apart.
“Yes?” Tiger called without moving to open the door.
“Have you seen Miss Fritillary?” Beck’s cheerful voice called through the door. “The Governor would like to speak with her, and she seems to have escaped her guards again.”
Lexi blushed at Tiger's scowl, then touched his fingers lightly with hers, smiling as he clutched her hand.
“I have company just now, Beck. But I’ll come help you look as soon as she leaves.”
Beck chortled delightedly. “Before your company flies off the balcony, would you tell her that the Governor is going to release Mr. Admiral again if she doesn’t come talk him out of it?”
Tiger and Lexi exchanged a startled glance, then released each other’s hands as Lexi turned and opened the door.
“How did you know?” Lexi asked, glancing back as Tiger tossed the blanket on his bed.
The top of Beck’s balding head turned red with his rowdy guffaw. “I may be out of season, but I still have a nose. You were both pumping out enough pheromones to fill the hallway.”
Lexi passed Beck and took a few steps down the hallway to regain her composure. Tiger stepped out face aflame and shut the door behind him.
“Don’t tell anyone, please, Beck,” Lexi requested, turning to face him with a calm visage.
“Especially not Mr. Crescent, eh?” Beck asked, starting down the hallway with another chortle. “Or Mr. Admiral?” Beck slapped his thigh with another fit of laughter.
“I’ll be happy to order you if it makes it easier,” Lexi warned as she walked a step ahead of him.
Beck continued his raucous laughter, but shut his mouth to do it, making a series of splutters and snorts.
“That’s enough,” Tiger warned, looming over Beck with a soft-spoken menace.
Beck turned to look at him, choked out a final chortle, then let it drop.
“I wasn’t aware out-of-seasons could still smell female pheromones,” Lexi said, eager to divert Beck’s attention.
“Can’t usually,” Beck said, shrugging. “There are only a few of us that still can. But it’s not like when I was in season...all the exhilaration is gone. Now they’re just scents...some nice, some nasty. Yours is just fine—kind of like apples. But Mr. Swallowtail here...” Beck laughed nervously as Tiger looked down his crooked nose at him. “Never mind,” he finished with a wide grin.
“Is Talan still in the dungeon?” Lexi asked, stepping between them.
Beck shook his head in disgust. “No, Mr. Fancy Pants already talked his way up to the Governor’s office. He’s under guard, but he got the Governor all worked up that you’re about to marry Mr. Crescent,” Beck flashed a knowing grin before Tiger’s frown squelched it. “And he says you and Mr. West aren’t a pheromone match, so Mr. Admiral is demanding that the Governor marry you and he immediately.” Beck perfectly imitated Talan’s imperious tone.
Lexi stopped walking and turned to face Beck. “Is this an ambush wedding?”
“No,” Beck said emphatically, then looked a little guilty. “Maybe. The Governor wasn’t convinced when he told me to fetch you. Maybe Mr. Fancy Pants has talked himself into a hole, or rather a cell, by now.”
Lexi sighed and looked at Tiger, who shrugged. “Just put on the princess, and get it over with.”
Lexi gave him a playful glare. “Did you— the very paragon of sincerity and truth—just advise me to be false?”
Tiger smirked as he took her arm. “Wouldn’t they be confused if you gave them anything else?”
Lexi pulled away from him as they began walking again. “No. I’m not always the princess with them.”
Tiger began his musical closed-mouth laugh as Lexi's wings twitched. “I let other people see the true me,” she argued, elbowing him.
“Do you? Has Beck here seen one of your tantrums?” Tiger asked, turning to nod at the stocky guard.
Lexi colored, then forced her face to its usual pale. “I don’t have tantrums,” she announced airily, ignoring Tiger’s loud guffaw of laughter and Beck’s snicker. Only a slight protruding of her bottom lip betrayed her petulance as she hastened her graceful steps down the remainder of the corridor. Outside Limen’s office, she hesitated, her shoulders drooping. She flinched at the soft touch on her arm, then gave Tiger a weak smile.
“Your mother isn’t here,” Tiger whispered. “And even if she were, she can’t force you to marry him. No one can. You outrank everyone on this mountain,” he continued, his lips tickling her ear, “except me.”
Lexi laughed and pushed him away.
“What? I’m serious,” Tiger said aloud, keeping an admirably straight face.
Lexi smiled at him as she smoothed down her hair and threw back her shoulders.
“Oh sure, fix yourself up for them,” Tiger teased.
Beck tittered until Tiger’s dark look shut him up. Leaning forward, Beck gave a patterned knock, then grinned at Erid when he opened the door. “I brought the bride,” he said, his grin widening as Lexi and Tiger glared at him. “Only kidding,” he added, waving a hand dismissively as a tight-lipped Erid let them in.
Feeling Tiger close behind her, Lexi whirled on him in the doorway. “Wait here,” she commanded.
“No,” Tiger said, laughing. “I can’t believe you’re still trying to boss me around,” he added in a whisper.
“You’ll only work Talan into an irrational rage,” Lexi whispered, sparing a glance for Erid, who emanated deferential disapproval.
Tiger grinned. “Exactly, and then the Governor will have to put him back in the dungeon.”
“Oh.”
Tiger’s grin widened. “Let’s go.”
“Miss Fritillary to see you,” Beck announced with wry formality as Lexi slipped around the guard curtain firmly grasping Tiger’s arm. Talan and Limen both stood near the throne, jaws set and arms folded in twin resolve.
“You brought your pet stable boy?” Talan asked, his smug smile changing to one of suppressed fury.
“Don’t be hateful, Talan,” Lexi said calmly, her eyes traveling over Limen’s guilt-ridden face.
“Your Highness,” Limen said, with a short bow.
“Brother,” Lexi greeted coldly, watching with satisfaction as Limen’s cheeks burned two bright spots of color.
“This is a private conversation between your betters, boy,” Talan said haughtily, his hickory and clove scent rising with his ire. “You had best leave.”
Lexi felt the muscles in Tiger’s arm tense, and patted it soothingly. “Don’t threaten him before the Governor,” she whispered softly.
“I’m not an idiot,” Tiger whispered back as he stared coldly at Talan.
“Tiger is here as my friend and advisor,” Lexi said, digging her thumbnail into Tiger’s arm when he snorted softly at the word advisor. “What did you wish to discuss?”
Talan looked expectantly at Limen, and the latter cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I understand that Van was not...uh...a match,” Limen stumbled verbally, raising his eyes briefly for Lexi’s confirmation.
“Van was unsuitable in several ways,” Lexi agreed.
“Then,” Limen paused hesitantly, seeming to writhe in his own skin. “You’re going to have to marry Talan.”
Lexi allowed her merry laugh to ring across the room, startling Talan out of his arm-folding solidarity. “I have other options.”
“Breathe through your mouth,” Tiger whispered. Lexi barely had a chance to obey before a heavy dose of his musky scent hit the air, tasting vaguely of delicious memory, and making her tongue curl as her mouth watered.
“How dare you?” Talan fairly shrieked, closing the distance between them in a single wing beat.
Tiger swiftly slipped her hands from his arm and stepped away to brace for Talan’s attack. Lexi tried to edge back in between them, but Tiger gave her a gentle shove just before Talan smashed into his chest, knocking him backwards into erratic flight.
