rather have had Theo at his side. If only things were different.
It seemed clear that she’d been placed in his house by Vesta. Somehow, Vesta had found out about Theo’s father’s indenture and had persuaded Theo to come in his place so that she could report back on how Robin was doing and what he was up to.
What had the queen promised her? Riches? A position in the royal court? Care for her father—if he really was sick? Whatever it was, Robin doubted Vesta had delivered on the promise yet. Theo seemed to have very little. And had seemed genuinely appreciative of the good that had come her way.
Like the lapidary training, which would no longer be happening.
Robin closed his eyes. It was all too much. He’d been pulled out of his loneliness and given a taste of joy, only to have it snatched away in an instant.
Why had she shifted in front of him? That was the one part that didn’t work with the rest of the narrative that she was here to spy on him. She’d exposed herself as a changeling and all the risk that came along with that to save them from the hellhounds. That was a selfless act. And one that she had to know could cost her dearly.
Just like she had to know that he would know only someone with both fae and goblin bloodlines could become such a creature. It was common knowledge. So why do it?
One answer came to mind.
Theo had no connection to Vesta, and she’d kept her secret only because he’d made it clear how he felt about the fae.
Was that possible? He almost didn’t want to answer that question. Not after the anger that had poured out of him and the terrible things he’d said.
A soft meow made him open his eyes. “Pepper. Perfect timing. I could use someone to talk to.”
The little black cat jumped off the railing and padded over to sit a few feet away from the chaise.
“Hi there.” Robin was too down to manage more than a halfhearted smile. “If you’d shown up a few minutes ago, I’d already have your dinner ordered. Now you’re going to have to wait.” He patted the chaise. “Come on. Hop up and get comfortable.”
The cat stared at him, then, after a second, did just that. But he stayed at the foot of the chaise.
“What’s wrong? We’re not friends all of a sudden? Or do you get friendlier after your dinner is served?” Robin laughed softly, but his mood soon won out. “I don’t know that I’m going to be very good company, Pepper. Today was not a good day.”
The cat sat very still and stared at him.
“Someone did something nice for me. Better than nice. Saved me from a pack of hellhounds. And I reacted very poorly.” That was an understatement.
Pepper lay down and tucked his front feet under his chest like he was settling in for a chat.
Robin reached out and gave the cat a little scratch under the chin.
Suddenly, a new thought came to him. If Theo could transform herself into a hellhound, what else could she become?
He grabbed Pepper, turned him around, and had a look under his tail. Pepper hissed and let out a yowl, but it only took a second to confirm that Pepper was indeed a boy. Legend said a changeling couldn’t alter their gender, no matter what they became. “Sorry. I had to see for myself.”
He put the cat down, and Pepper took off for the railing.
“Hey now.” Robin got up and went toward the little animal, trying to make things right. “I wasn’t going to hurt you. I just—”
The cat went up and over the railing and disappeared.
Robin sighed. But he’d gotten what he deserved.
A knock rang out from his door. Apparently, his mood was so bad even Elswood was knocking now. “Come in, Elswood.”
Robin went to the railing to see if he could spot Pepper, but finding a black cat in the dark was—
“It’s not Elswood.”
He spun around to see Theo standing at the door to his balcony. The ball gown was gone, replaced by the same jeans and T-shirt she’d had on earlier. Worn black flats covered her feet. “What are you doing here? I told you I don’t want to see you.”
“I know. And I promise I won’t bother you again after this. I just wanted to say that I am absolutely not working for Vesta in any way. I’m sorry you think that, and I’m sorry