Page 75 of A Debt of Darkness

Rowan and his coven laugh and mine remains absolutely silent. The kind of silence that screams we're far from fucking amused one of our own is being targeted. It’s the perfect response.

Ivy doesn't move.

Matt grins and puts his arms behind him. He's grabbing her and as much as I loathe the idea of him touching my mate, she needs reassurance I cannot provide right now.

The priest stands and he's getting annoyed. I can't wait any longer and I rise, trying to avoid the asshole ramping up the tension.

“Ivy?”

There's a beat of silence before she pops her head out from behind Matt. Her eyes are bright and when she meets my gaze, she grins.

I blink and tilt my head.

She blinks and tilts hers back.

Fuck me, we're playing.

I sigh. She grins.

I tilt my head. She mirrors me.

“We'll be waiting all day at this fucking rate,” Rowan hisses.

I curl my finger and she stares at me, flicking her eyes to my hand as it calls her to come to me. She's teasing me and the priest turns his head to me, uncertain if this is disobedience or a game I indulge.

“I'll start counting.”

She conceals a squeal as she breathes in and the whole fucking room hears it.

Ivy darts out from behind Matt and fidgets, nervously.

“What the fuck is she wearing?” Rowan snarls, getting up and joining the growing number of us standing and staring at my mate. She’s wearing leggings and a sweater, instead of the revealing or fancy formal attire he’d expected.

She’s fucking stunning.

Ryan steps between Ivy and the asshole. “Clothes, Rowan. I’d have thought with all your years of experience, you’d recognize them.”

Ivy smirks as she edges closer. Her eyes track me and I'm watching closely, but I'm also paying attention to the goddamn priest who's following every move we make.

“She’s reluctant,” Rowan muses, provoking an enraged snarl from me. “Or badly trained. Neither is excusable.”

Ryan takes another step and bristles. “Her manners aren't the only ones in question. You're a guest. Behave like one.”

Ivy's standing before the four of us and she's nervous. Fucking nervous. I would be in her position. She's a mouse walking towards four predators and all of us have our eyes on her. She's holding her own—if only just—and I’m fucking proud of how she's doing.

“Where's her collar?” Rowan barks.

“She doesn't wear one,” I reply dismissively as the priest's eyes snap to mine. “We agreed she was free to choose and she picked rings instead. For now. Until she's ready.”

The priest doesn't like it.

He dislikes how I'm twisting our agreement and using his words against him. But he's got no fucking room to maneuver and there's nothing he can do about it.

Rowan's features darken and his teeth elongate. He's pissed this isn't going the way he planned, and he knows Ivy and I have had difficulties. A spy would make sense, given Ivy's escape, and we've got a traitor in our midst.

Fuck.

“Kneel.”

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