Chapter 9 Patrona's Return

Then, a smooth voice purred behind her.

“Hello, Skye. You look lost… or did you lose something?”

Skye whirled, her tail lashing like a whip.

Patrona, the dark elf, lounged against a vendor’s stall as if she owned the street. Silver hair spilled over one shoulder like molten metal, catching stray beams of lantern light. Her violet eyes sparkled with cruel amusement.

And from the glint in those eyes, Skye knew—Patrona knew something.

Skye’s fists clenched so hard her claws bit into her palms. The hum of the marketplace felt distant, like it was happening underwater.

She didn’t need this right now. Not from her.

“Leave me alone, Patrona. I don’t want anything to do with you.”

Patrona’s lips curled into a sharp, wicked smile. “Oh? What’s this? The cowardly cat suddenly found some courage?” She tilted her head, hair slipping forward over her cheek. “But not on her own, of course. No, no. You only stand tall when there’s someone else to lean on. And now you’ve found yourself another master to follow.”

Skye’s ears flattened. “I don’t belong to anyone!”

Patrona’s laugh was low, deliciously mocking. “Oh, but you do. Or at least… you want to. That’s why you chased after him like a lost kitten, isn’t it? Hoping to be his something else?”

Heat flared up Skye’s neck. Fury trembled under her skin.

“What are you hiding, Patrona?” she demanded, voice dark. “I know you. You love hurting people as much as you love being hurt. So tell me—what do you get from tormenting me?”

Patrona stepped closer, close enough for Skye to smell the faint metallic tang of dagger oil and something floral beneath it.

“Just that, little pussy. The satisfaction of watching you squirm.” She leaned in, eyes half-lidded, voice dropping to a sultry purr. “Because I have something you don’t. And you’d have to fight me to take it.”

Skye’s ears twitched back. “What are you talking about?”

Patrona trailed a single finger down her own collarbone, smiling like a cat about to pounce. “Oh, come on. That big hunk of a man—Kai, was it?” Her grin sharpened. “I know you’ve fallen for him.”

She touched her chest theatrically. “Because I did too.”

Skye’s tail bristled. Her claws curled, trembling with the urge to slash.

“Keep your filthy hands off him, Patrona.”

Patrona gave a throaty laugh. “Oh, don’t worry… I put more than just my hands on him.”

She licked her lips, slow and deliberate.

Skye’s vision narrowed into a single burning point of red. Her heart thudded so loud she barely heard the market around them anymore.

Liar.

Patrona tilted her head, voice syrup-sweet. “Can’t share, little pussy? I’m more than willing. After all—the barmaid shares him out too. With the staff, no less.”

“Liar!” Skye’s voice cracked. “He’s not like that!”

Patrona’s gaze turned icy. “Sweet kitten… you don’t know him. He doesn’t do attachments. But physical pleasure?” She smirked, silver hair spilling across her eyes. “That, he’s very comfortable with.”

Doubt sliced through Skye’s chest like a blade. Memories flashed: Helena stepping out of Kai’s room… Kai’s quick glances when he thought she wasn’t looking… the way he pulled away when things felt too close.

No. No. She refused to believe it.

Patrona’s voice softened. “If you want answers…” She stretched like a cat, arms above her head, chest arching forward. “You’ll have to fight me for them. Or…” Her grin widened. “You can leave him… to me.”

Skye’s claws dug deeper into her palms until droplets of crimson welled between her fingers.

“Shut up, Patrona.”

“Oh, I like it when you get aggressive.”

“Shut up!”

Patrona stepped closer, her voice a hiss. “Ask yourself, kitten… if he really wanted you, why did he leave you behind this morning?”

Something inside Skye snapped.

“Enough.”

Patrona’s grin faltered for a single heartbeat. “Oh? Going to cry again, kitten?”

Skye lunged, claws slicing the air. Patrona twisted aside, her laughter bubbling out sharp and wild as she backflipped over a merchant’s stall.

“You want him that badly?” Patrona shouted. “Prove it!”

Skye’s pulse roared in her ears as her feet pounded the cobblestones. Her muscles coiled tight, rage and confusion burning through her veins.

“I will!”