Page 74 of A Debt of Darkness

“My wife is unwell. Humans are fragile and she's not up to today. I didn't wish to offend you, and I'd planned to arrange a feast in Rowan’s honor. Later. When she's recovered.”

When hell freezes over, you fucking cunt.

I'm not subjecting my wife to one of our events. She's too precious, too innocent. Too perfect. And she's mine.

“I see…” Rowan begins before the priest raises his hand to interrupt him.

“I need to see her, Henry,” he says. “We can excuse most lapses on account of her current condition. An agreement is an agreement and you gave me your word.”

Damn.

“She's in her room,” I say smoothly. “Perhaps you'd care to...”

“Oh, I can't miss this,” Rowan sneers. “I can't wait to meet the little human who's caught your eye. I'll accompany you.”

Like fuck he will. He's not going into Ivy's bedroom. That's hers. Her safe space. Her haven. He'll taint it with his presence and I won't allow it.

“Let's bring her down here,” the priest says, noticing the way I’ve become territorial. “I can see her with the coven. She ought to be comfortable with them by now.”

My eyes flick to my second and he knows the thoughts running through my head. This is a test. A dangerous one. She's not ready for it. I'm not ready for it.

“I'll fetch her,” Ryan says, turning around cooly. “It’ll take a bit of time if she’s the same as she was earlier.”

He's buying time to prep her. It won't be enough but it's better than none. Matt's with her and they’ll spend the next few minutes doing everything they can to prepare her for what comes next. If they're lucky and I'm clever, they'll have half an hour.

“Shall we then?” I ask, leading the priest and the cunts from Rowan's coven into the grand hall.

We sit and Rowan postures, reclining on one of the leather armchairs like he owns the fucking place. I ignore the shit out of the prick, talking with the priest as if nothing’s wrong. He steers the conversation to my wife and Rowan's far too fucking interested for my liking.

I've got to keep us talking to buy Ivy time, without giving anything away or making a bad situation worse. It's tricky and I need all my experience against the priest. He's far from stupid and I'm certain he's noticed my vagueness and general waffling, which is unusual for me. Especially around the Brotherhood.

“Women like to make an appearance, but this is a little much,” Rowan sighs, exasperated. “Is your pet going to grace us with her presence?”

“She's unwell. It’ll take time to look even close to presentable.”

Rowan rolls his eyes in irritation, but his point has landed with the priest. We're running out of time until Ivy faces a test she isn't ready for.

Gods, I should have prepared her better.

I should have protected her. I've failed her and she's only just started trusting me again. We've made progress, but this is too big a step for her. It'll make her more wary, more reluctant and it'll expose the problems between us. This is a disaster about to happen.

Ryan walks in and his eyes lock with mine. He's done all he can but he's worried. We know each other well enough to read each other precisely and he thinks we're about to incite a riot. Quite literally.

“Ivy's coming. She's no better than this morning. She won't be formally dressed.”

The priest nods and Rowan waves his hands dismissively. My heart would race if it could and I steel myself for what's to come. I'll try to protect her and guide her, but it probably won't save her from the cruelty of this moment. From the viciousness of Rowan and his coven.

I won't forgive him for this.

I’m going to make the cunt pay. Slowly. Painfully. Until every last ounce of agony’s been extracted and I’ve had my fucking fill.

Matt walks in, flanked by the vampires who were guarding Ivy's room. She's hidden in the middle, although Matt's frame alone is large enough to hide her little body. Herheart is racing and she reeks of anxiety. Matt grins and he's a fuck load more confident about this than I am.

“She's nervous,” he says in a tone suggesting amusement. “You can discuss that later.”

Rowan snorts and the priest leans forward. His eyes track Matt's movements and he's smart enough not to take his mannerisms at face value.

“You can come out,” the priest says. “We promise not to bite.”

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