But I did want to make his life better, and as long as he was in the trenches with me, I wasn't going to be wielding any knives, gold-chased or otherwise.

Almost idly, he brushed his knuckles against my thigh, drawing my attention back to him. "I might understand now why wolves decided humans made fine companions," he said, his voice soft and relaxed. Dain rubbed his cheek against me, rolling his head against my fingertips. "This is very nice."

"I don't imagine you get a lot of companionable touch," I ventured after a moment.

He hummed, low and content. "Not since the war," he said. "I was comfortable with the army, out in the field. I had friends."

"But not anymore?"

"Zhiolas and Alluin, who were with me when I found you—they still find time for me. But they have lives of their own outside of the High Court, and I only see them a few times each month," Dain said, sounding wistful.

"I guess you've got me, now, though I'm probably a poor substitute," I said.

"Right now I'm inclined to disagree," he said with amusement as I rubbed at the base of his horns. Dain pressed his head against my hands, so I gave him a little more force, and he responded with a low sound of pleasure.

"I'll remind you of my head-rub skills next time you look like you want to go for nemeses."

He laughed softly. "Not in front of people."

"Afraid I'll ruin your reputation?" I asked, grinning down at him.

Dain turned his face to me with a more serious expression. "Afraid I'll need to kill more people to keep you safe, Leah." He sighed and rolled his head back down, and nudged my fingers with his head. "Don't stop," he said. "If anyone gets to kill you, it's me."

"How comforting," I said in a voice as dry as the Sahara, and returned to my ministrations, sliding my fingers down along the furred back of his ears.

With a pleased sound, Dain settled closer. "I do try, soulmate."

17. Swords and Sorcery

Chapter 17

Swords and Sorcery

I did manage to remember to tell Dain about Lady Rynsandoral, and though he was surprised anyone would want to talk to him, he went off in search of her. I saw them a while later, having what looked like a moderately pleasant conversation, Dain's expression closed-off but not angry, and Lady Rynsandoral with a steady expression of polite interest. That seemed worth a mild kudo, to all three of us. The emissary from the Court of Mercy had been willing to discuss with Dain, I'd been willing to go find him, and he'd been willing to respond in kind.

Thus began my new life as a princess.