Wicked Villain Shorts - Katee Robert Page 0,40

my expression is doing, but she bursts out laughing. “Like I said.”

I am too focused on putting one foot in front of the other to respond until we reach my door and Allecto keys it open. I slump against the doorframe. “Hey, Allecto.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m really glad we’re friends. Like… really glad. You’re pretty awesome.”

Her grin softens. “You’re pretty awesome yourself, Aurora. Now get your ass to bed and don’t be late tomorrow. If I have to come looking for you, I’ll haul your ass into a cold shower and then you won’t be glad we’re friends.”

I gasp, but I can’t keep my mock outrage. I’m still laughing as I shut the door and stumble my way to bed. It doesn’t matter that I’m single. I like being single. I’ll even remember that tomorrow, once the alcohol has faded out of my system. I’ll remember that I’m not actually lonely. I’ll remember that I have purpose. I’ll remember that I’m really, really happy.

Tomorrow.

Yeah, I’ll remember all that tomorrow.

This short originally appeared as the July 2020 short for my Patreon. Each month, patrons nominate their favorite couples and characters, vote on one, and I write a brand new short featuring the winner. For more bonus stories, please consider joining my Patreon.

14

Honey, We’re Home

Zurielle

“You’ve done well, Zuri.”

I smile at Ursa. In the months since my auction, since I fell in love with Ursa and Alaric for real, she’s slowly started bringing me along when she goes to meetings and walking me through the backside of her operations. Ursa runs a tight ship. But then, do I expect anything different?

I lean my head on her shoulder as the car cuts through Carver City, heading back to her penthouse. “Thank you.”

She takes my hand and traces the lines in my palms with a single nail. “There’s nothing to thank me for.”

I hide my smile. “I know it hasn’t been that long, and you’re letting me see the details of something that’s important to you. I know that means something.”

Her finger pauses its tracing for a moment and then resumes. “I love you, little Zurielle. Of course I’m letting you in.”

But there’s no of course about it. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that you can take nothing for granted in this life. Not safety, not stability, certainly not love. She’s given me the gift of all three. Her and Alaric. It’s also clear that she’s still uncomfortable with my pointing out her willing vulnerability.

I close my hand over hers. “Your people will walk through fire for you.”

“Yes.”

“It’s a sign of a good leader.”

She laughs. “If you don’t treat your people well and give them a reason to feel loyal to you, you can expect a knife in the back the first chance they get. I’ve seen it happen enough times to learn from others’ mistakes. To learn from my mistake.”

“Have you thought about opening up some kind of trade with Sabine Valley?”

Ursa leans back and lifts her arm, an invitation to shift closer that I’m only too happy to take. She looks down at me, her red lips curved. “You’ve been talking with Alaric.”

Yes, but not about trade. I’m intensely curious about Sabine Valley because of how different it seems from both Olympus and Carver City. “He does have a connection there, especially now that his cousins have regained some level of power. A trade agreement might benefit both them and us. No one else from Carver City has anything like that set up.”

She smooths my hair back and tucks it behind my ear. “Malone has more than enough connections to that city to have set something up.”

Because she’s an Amazon, a member of one of the other factions. “But even if she has, there’s still opportunity there.” Doubt threatens to creep in. I thought it was a good idea, but now I’m not so sure. “Don’t you think?”

Ursa opens her mouth, seems to reconsider, and finally nods. “You’re not wrong that there’s a chance to use Alaric’s connections to our advantage. We’ll speak with him about setting up a meeting with one of his cousins.”

That perks me up. “We?”

“It was your idea, Zuri. Of course you’ll attend.” She leans down and presses a light kiss to my lips. “I’ve never had anything resembling a partner. It will take some getting used to. Have patience with me.”

“Of course.” My heart feels like it might burst out of pure joy. I still can’t quite believe that this is my life now, that I’m doing things I never dared