Page 84 of Barbi and the Villain

“Look at them! Do they look capable of anything to you? The poor men must have been walking for days to escape the plague.”

“Oh, Barbi.” He shakes his head at me. He rakes his eyes over my face, seemingly deep in thought. Eventually, he releases a deep sigh as he steps away from me. “Fine. I will leave it to you to learn the hard way that not everyone is deserving of kindness.”

I frown.

“What are you talking about?”

He merely smiles.

When the men finish eating, the leader of the group comes to us to thank us for the food.

“You have been most welcoming when others would not have done so. If we could return the favor, please let us know,” he says with a smile.

The older man nods.

“Where are you heading to? You could join us in our search for the plague-free village.”

“Oh, no, thank you…” I bite my lip. Even I don’t know where we’re going.

“My female and I are enjoying some personal time away from the capital. I trust that you can now be on your way?” Nykander interrupts, emphasizing our relationship in a strange way.

Just what is wrong with him? He has told me repeatedly how displeased he is with our situation, but now he’s publicly claiming me? Not that I mind it. In fact, the words my female sound rather delicious coming from his mouth. But the sad reality is that I can’t trust them.

I release a disappointed sigh.

“We thank you for your kindness.” The man inclines his head. “If we shall ever meet again, we will return the favor.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I tell them with a smile, ignoring the way Nykander is sending them death glares.

I wave at them as they leave, and when we are finally alone, I turn toward Nykander.

“What is wrong with you?” I grit out. “Are you so heartless you wouldn’t help people so clearly in need?”

He merely turns to pack our equipment.

“Now you’re ignoring me,” I huff aloud.

PomPom barks at him, echoing my displeasure with him, while BonBon follows her lead.

Take that, Nykander. You might have your dark mist, but I have my two faithful companions that will not stand for any disrespect!

It’s moments later that he deigns to speak.

“Did it not cross your mind that they did not even check to see if we had the plague?”

I frown.

“What do you mean?”

“They ran away from the plague but did not even ask us if we were infected or checked for any signs of the disease.”

“Well.” I wet my lips. “The plague is fast acting. We wouldn’t have been alive if we were infected. You’re just trying to find reasons to hate them.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Because they’re males.” I cross my arms over my chest. “You’re jealous,” I point out, smiling in satisfaction.

He might not like me, but he said it himself that the mating bond is making him territorial. And although it might be for all the wrong reasons, my cheeks heat up at the thought that someone would be jealous over me! How many times had I imagined that while reading all those romance novels where the men are growly and possessive and they always say mine this, mine that? How many times had I wished I were the object of someone’s possessiveness? Of someone’s utter attention and obsession. Okay, it might not be really healthy given how it’s portrayed in those books, but I’ll settle even for a smidge of possessiveness.

---