Page 70 of Heir of the Beast

“Tarren.”

My whole body stiffens.

Tarren pulls his head away from my neck and smiles up at Apollo. It is a smile you would see on a wolf.

“Apollo!” He stands and claps his hands. “Congratulations on the engagement, cousin! She is stunning, really.”

Apollo’s expression could have turned Medusa into stone. I swallow, watching the two in a silent battle. I think Tarren’s presence here might be the crazy I need to tip the boat.

I sip my champagne and stand, placing my arm in Tarren’s. Two can play this game, and I can play very dirty when I want something.

Apollo’s heated gaze shoots to my hand on Tarren’s arm, and the gauntlet is down.

I never claimed to be a good person.

Sue me.

Chapter 16

I need a drink.

Tarren and Apollo stare at each other, the tension so thick you can almost feel the intense vibrations.

Apollo shifts as he grins, looking at my hand on Tarren’s arm then up at me. “Ursula, is it?”

I take a steady breath. “Yes, Your Grace. Princess Ursula.” I smile as fake as I can.

“Forgive me for being so informal,” he says politely, but his eyes are hard as steel. The man is beyond furious. I can see the dark depths of his gaze pinning me with needles. “~Princess~ Ursula.”

Tarren places his hand over mine and glances at me. “I must say, that gown you are wearing makes you look more like a goddess than a mere princess.”

I smile at him like it is the cleverest compliment I have ever heard. “I don’t know about that,” I murmur. “You flatter me.”

Barf. I sound so fake even to my ears that I must tone down the smiling. “Lord Tar—”

“Please call me Tarren.”

I ignore Apollo’s slight eye roll and tilt my head beautifully. “Tarren,” I say with vigor, “would you like to dance?”

He places his hand on his heart and chuckles at Apollo. “Beautiful and ~brave~?” He glances at me and leans in. “Let’s let Apollo and his lovely fiancé have alone time up here,” he says.

He nods to Laura, who is glaring at her champagne glass some feet away. Her rose-colored gown almost resembles a wilting flower with her sour demeanor.

I don’t blame her. Apollo seems on a different agenda tonight than to impress his lonely fiancé. A woman ignored is worse than a starving, raging beast.

I just made that up. Words of wisdom by Viola, a.k.a. Princess Ursula.

Apollo makes a sound, reaches out, and grabs my arm, startling me. Apollo looks down at his hand on my wrist, almost as shocked as I am.

“Tarren is the worst dancer on this half of the fucking planet.” He shoots Tarren a murderous glance. “Allow me to take you. It’s the least I can do after what happened.”

Tarren clicks his tongue. “Such foul language in front of the Princess of Galleon.”

Apollo’s black gaze seems to flicker unnaturally. “Careful, cousin,” he hisses. “Watch out. She will chew you up and spit you out.”

And with that loaded statement, he turns to leave, leaving a cold chill in his wake.

I don’t realize I am holding my breath until I let it out, my pulse hammering. I glance at Tarren’s intense expression. “What is he?” I blurt.

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