Page 55 of The Monster's Mate

I ache to shake out of Malice’s shadows and run over to hug him.

“Well, I can see stubbornness runs in the family.” Norah shrugs a lithe shoulder. “You’ll find there’s a distinct lack of things to do in Faere. Being trapped in this castle makes for even fewer options. Tell me about your life in the human realm.”

“I love it.” Veryn huffs. “And I really miss my mom.”

“I can understand that. What’s your favorite thing to do back home?”

“I like to play with Ember and practice shifting.” He lights up as a smile crosses his face. “We’ve got a djinn and a wyvern. They came one day and never left, but they’re pretty cool.”

Norah’s head tilts.

“Then, there’s our neighbor. He looks after me and my mom,” Veryn says. “I really want to go home.”

Her gaze moves to the fire. “I was once much like you. Nothing could have made me want to stay in this castle.”

“Why are you still here, then?” Veryn asks with deadpan delivery.

“To be young and so naive to the world.” Norah chuckles, shoving her hair back from her face. “As a member of dragon society, you should learn, there will always be someone bigger and more powerful than you are.”

“I’m an alpha.” Veryn stares straight at the side of Norah’s head.

“This is true, but you’ve got much growing to do before you could take on those who would tie you here for their own personal gain.” Norah glances at Veryn like she can feel him glaring.

“You don’t have to stay here, neither,” he says. Normally, I would correct him, but I’m supposed to be watching for some reason. So, I keep my mouth shut. “My dad is going to come for me. He told me before that if they got me, I just had to wait, and he’d be here in no time.”

My lips roll together as my eyes ache. I know that was Bane. There’s not a single doubt in my mind.

“Bane doesn’t understand how to communicate to save his life, but he keeps his word,” Malice whispers. “He missed out on socialization the rest of us got as children.” He bumps his shoulder to mine. “You should probably cut him a little slack.”

I nod, running my hand over my stomach.

“I hope it works out for you, but I’m afraid I’m trapped by a matebond,” Norah says with a sadness to her tone that only increases my discomfort. “Until you’re old enough to fend for yourself, you should be polite. Try not to draw any unwanted attention.”

“She means Cyril’s wrath,” Malice adds softly.

The door to the chamber slams open, and my entire body jolts with the force of how loudly the echo rattles. One of Malice’s shadows lands over my mouth, trapping the gasp that was about to escape.

Cyril’s head nearly touches the top of the doorframe as he stomps inside the room. He’s physically as handsome as he was before, but now, all I see is how ugly his insides are.

“I told you he was to be left to stew on his poor choices,” Cyril growls, stomping across the room. Once he’s close enough, he snatches Norah out of her seat by her hair.

“Hey, don’t touch her like that!” Veryn yells, shoving out of the chair he’s been sitting in.

“Shit,” Malice whispers.

Cyril shoves Veryn back into his chair with a hand on his sternum. I’ve seen Bane be rougher with him while they were play fighting, but my entire body fills with rage.

Norah’s neck tugs at an awkward angle as she dances around on her tiptoes.

Shit, I think, echoing Malice.

I thought I had it bad with Cyril for a few months, but it’s clear he was on his best behavior with me. Even if we kill him, Norah will suffer the effects of a broken matebond.

I wish?—

I don’t even get to finish the thought. Athos appears in front of me as Eldritch and Bane materialize on either side of him.

Bane spins to face Cyril, his chest heaving. “You stupid son of a bitch,” he snarls, striding toward Cyril.

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