Read Lie Down with Dogs for Free Online Page A

because I “woke” balanced precariously on the limb of the tree where I had briefly slept in his arms.
    Sentimental is my husband.
    When I struggled against the threads binding his illusion, I smelled my brand of fabric softener and sensed the soft pillow beneath my cheek. It wasn’t much, but the knowledge I could end this dream calmed me.
    Rook reclined against a knot of staggered limbs, the perfect spacing to make him a backrest while protecting him from taking a nasty tumble. If he had been a human, a fall like that would have killed him. Given his ability to sprout wings, and my apparent lack of feathers, I was more concerned for myself.
    If I fell to my death in a dream, would I die in reality?
    He tapped the ends of a leaf with his fingertips. “How are things in the mortal realm?”
    “As good as they’re going to get.” I scooted closer to the tree’s trunk. “What about here?”
    “In dreams,” he mused, “all is well.”
    I reached the heart of the tree and wrapped a companionable arm around it. “I meant in Faerie, and you know it.”
    “Both houses follow me, for now.” His hand dropped. “Neither are pleased with your absence.”
    Tough. Their pleasure was the least of my concerns. “Have you heard from Mac?”
    He shook his head. “No one has.”
    “So King Moran’s killer is still at large?” Not great news. The marshal in me wanted to see the murderer pay for his crime, but his ability to dodge my father actually played out in my favor. If the fae believed I was at risk from an assassination plot in Faerie, they would stay open to keeping me hidden here.
    “You could say that.”
    I scowled at him. “He’s either been caught or he hasn’t.”
    “The answer is not so simple.”
    “Riddles aren’t my thing.” I stifled a yawn. “Why did you visit me?”
    A cunning spark lit his eyes. “Can’t a husband want to see his wife?”
    I rolled my eyes. “We both know our marriage isn’t real.”
    “It could be.” He sat up. “It’s not unusual for monarchs to have their spouses chosen for them.”
    “Except you chose me . You arranged all of this.”
    “Not all of it. You played your part beautifully, Princess.” He interlaced his fingers. “I believed you were capable of winning the Coronation Hunt, but to watch it... You amazed me, Thierry.”
    Conflicting emotions wound me up until I didn’t trust myself to respond.
    He looked serious when he said, “If ever anyone was worthy of becoming queen, it is you.”
    “It’s late, and I’m tired.” Another yawn overtook me. “Why are you here?”
    “Our bargain stipulated that you would be trained in the ways of royalty.” He leaned forward. “I studied alongside my brother. I can teach you what you need to know, as much as anyone can. But you are at a disadvantage. This world, this role, is new to you when others have lived here and coveted it all their lives.”
    I heard what he didn’t say too. I didn’t want the position. That meant I wouldn’t fight for it.
    “You are powerful and clever,” he offered, “but both houses are filled with more dangerous and slyer fae than you can imagine. Our only hope of surviving is if we work together, and even then...”
    His gaze drifted toward the night beyond us and widened slightly.
    “Rook?” I wasn’t brave enough to glance behind me and risk falling.
    “You must go.” He waved his hand, and the dream—or whatever it was—dissolved.

Chapter Seven
    I jolted upright on a gasp then doubled over coughing. My lungs burned from lack of oxygen. It hurt to suck in air, ached as my chest expanded. I stung all over. Stumbling from the bed, I collapsed on the floor as my door burst open and Mai rushed in steadying a baseball bat on her shoulder.
    “Tee?”
    I groaned.
    “Are you okay? What happened? Where are they?” She screamed, “Show yourselves, bastards.”
    “What?” I arranged myself into a sitting position. “Who is they ?”
    She growled, “Righty and