His Only Reward **Completed and Free**

Chapter 36: Spy Master*

“Stand clear Raoul, I am going to give her heart another shock! " Jamie heard Dion say, as she felt like she was floating in the darkness.

"f*****g Dion, save her!" Jamie heard Raoul scream in agony. Jamie felt a sharp pain and a jolt as her heart started beating again. “This soul separation business is not getting any easier!" she thought, as she willed air into her lungs, until her chest fell back into its natural rhythm. After a few minutes, she started to open her eyes. "Raoul?" She croaked.

"I am here, kitten," Roaul said as he quickly grabbed her hand and held it. "Thank the Moon Goddess, you are back!"

"My chest really hurts," she observed, and it did. It felt like the time Betsy the old cow had kicked her in the chest.

"I am not surprised, Jamie, I gave you several shocks to the heart!" Dion said in a relieved voice.

Bella brought her a cup with a reed straw in it. "Sip this water slowly," she ordered. Jamie took a few sips, her throat grateful for the water. "How long have I been gone this time?" Jamie asked.

"Two very long and miserable days!" Raoul said. It had felt like a lifetime and he had not moved from Jamie’s side in that time. Bella had to force feed him and Dion had to force him to sleep.

"Gone? Where did you go, Jamie?" Dion suddenly asked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Oh Dion, stop asking questions, she just woke up!" Raoul snapped.

Jamie looked round. "Where is Sam?" Jamie asked anxiously. Raoul looked uncomfortable and Bella spoke, "Our great Alpha almost crushed poor Sam’s windpipe and so, he has been keeping out of sight!"

"Oh Raoul, that is hardly fair!" Jamie said softly.

 Raoul growled, "His first duty is to protect his Luna, and he failed! I am not going to apologise to him, so, don’t look at me like that!"

Jamie sighed and gave a meaningful look at Raoul. "Please my Love, it was not Sam’s fault. I jumped in the way and besides,  isn’t a Luna’s duty to protect her pack?" Jamie said in an innocent voice. Raoul grumped and Jamie was forced to play her trump card: "I would heal so much faster if I was not worried about Sam and you. I feel so guilty about what has happened."

Raoul fell into her trap without even realising it. "Ok Kitten, I suppose he could not help it and I don’t want you to worry about anything"

"Oh Raoul, what did I do to deserve a Mate like you?" Jamie said softly. Bella had to hide her smirk beneath her hand. Raoul kissed her hand. "I will find him now, my love. I'll be back in a minute."

"Really? I feel so much better already!" Jamie said. Raoul kissed her on the forehead and left the room.

"You should consider a role in diplomacy. Raoul does not even know how badly he just got played there! " Dion said with a smirk.

"No idea what you mean! Now, if you excuse me Dion, I would kill for a bath!" said Jamie with raised eyebrows. 

"Of course, I will see you later," Dion said as he walked out of the room.

Bella chuckled and went into the bathroom. She started to draw a bath, which was large enough to hold at least 4 people.  She helped Jamie up and undressed her. It was only then that Jamie noticed her new scar. Where her veins had once been black from the poison, they were now white. Her scars looked like white lightning originating from a white line. "You were very lucky, Luna, that Dion was there to do such strong healing spells," Bella commented.

Suddenly, there was a soft growl behind them. Raoul had come back in and was in the bathroom. "Thank you Bella, I will take it from here. I will be looking after my mate this evening, "Raoul said sternly. Jamie then realised that Raoul was getting jealous that another man had healed her!

"Yes, my Lord!" Bella said, as she quickly excused herself. Raoul undressed quickly and grabbed Jamie in a bridal hold. He stepped in the bath and slowly lowered her down. He positioned her in between his legs so her back was against his chest. "This is amazing," Jamie said, as she could feel her muscles relaxing because of the heat. Raoul started to kiss her neck. "I missed you kitten," he said in between kisses.

"It was only a few days, and you were away at meetings for some of them. How did the meetings go, by the way? " Jamie said.

Raoul softly growled as he picked up a sponge and soap from the side of the bath. He started to gently wash Jamie. "It has been difficult. They won’t agree to help us, and we need them to, "Raoul said.

"Who won’t help you?" Jamie asked. There was a moment of quiet. Raoul was not sure how she would take it that he was the King’s spymaster and had been talking to the King of Thieves.  Anyone who had any training could see that. “I am guessing you were talking to the King of Thieves and he refused to help?" Jamie said.

Raoul was speechless for a minute, before saying,  "How did you know?"

"Oh, you know, the shady meetings, the lack of details about your day and the commoner clothes in your closet were a big give away! "Said Jamie.

"And meeting the King of Thieves?" Roaul said.

Jamie smiled and said, "Well, you just confirmed it for me! But it would make sense. War is coming and King Stephan will need access to trade routes and informants that only he can provide. "

"Sweet chaos!" Raoul said,

"Tell me about him," Jamie said, "Maybe I can help."

"Well, he is a middle, aged man who enjoys women and alcohol," Raoul started.

"Hmm and ?" Jamie said, sleepily.

"Well, he owns many taverns and other businesses. This, of course, hides his more illegal activities. He has a group of followers, including one man with a very large cat. Everyone adores the cat. In fact, the black cat is the King of Rogues' emblem."Raoul chatted away whilst washing Jamie. It was nice to be able to talk about it with her.

"Bingo!" Jamie said suddenly.

“What?" Raoul asked.

"Well, they have a touch of wild magic and a infinity with cats. Which makes sense, if you consider how close cats are to the Crone Goddess. I bet they are big followers of them! Anyway, they won’t trust someone who is a dog, " Jamie explained.

"Wolf!” Raoul growled.

"Sorry Wolf, the natural enemy of the cat and a practitioner of arcane magic to boot." Jamie said. Raoul thought about it for a moment. Why hadn’t he seen this?

"Because, you have grown up privileged and have never had to hide who you are!” Jamie said, she had correctly guessed what he was thinking.

"Ok, spy master, what do you suggest I do?" Raoul teased.

"Well, I know for a fact that the King’s spy Master knows someone very well who has bags of wild magic and can talk to cats. So.. " Jamie said suggestively.

"And?" Raoul said. 

"Wouldn’t it be wise to use me to talk to the king of Rogues?" Jamie suggested.

"You are a cunning little vixen, aren’t you?" Raoul said, giving her a hug.

“You really have no idea!” Jamie thought.