Page 40 of Caged By Dance and Desire

“Hasannah.” Anger warmed his voice. “It never once crossed my mind that his taunts were based in anything but the particular blend of truth and deceit my people are capable of.”

I let out a breath. “I was in my solo practice room—the day after we met, and I didn't notice he was there until the end. He approached me, but I didn't think I'd see him again.”

“You should have mentioned it to me.” The thread of anger heated. “Whenever you're approached by another, no matter how outwardly innocent, you tell me.” His hand grasped my chin. “Do you understand?”

I nodded, not liking the grip of his fingers on my chin.

Andrei’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not being cruel. You don’t know Lord Dartanyon. He is not sane.”

That was funny. “Can any of you make that claim?”

He flashed sharp, shiny teeth. “Do any of us keep woman sized bird cages on our estates and force our ballerinas to dance until their toes are raw? Tell me, Hasannah, have you ever been claimed by a fairy circle?”

Jesus.

His fingers dug into my jaw, an extension of the irritation glittering in his eyes. “No, you haven’t. And unless that’s the fate you secretly yearn for, I’d suggest you heed my warning. Stay away from Dartanyon. Stay away from any Lord you might encounter.”

He made it sound so simple. “And how am I supposed to know a High Fae from a High Fae Lord from a Low Fae Lord from a frog? You don’t come with flashing signs or name badges!”

“You’ll learn.” He released me slowly, mouth turned down. “Now I'll have to handle him in haste because he publicly questioned my ownership over you.”

I stiffened. “Your ownership.”

“That’s right. You're mortal, and you're mine.”

“Like your pet? Like—like your coach? Something you keep well-maintained and shut away in your garage until you’re ready to ride it? I don’t belong to anyone but myself.”

His hands wrapped around my upper arms, his lip curling up with a look I knew very well. He wanted to strangle me, or hit me, or lash out in whatever way he thought he could get away with.

“Are you challenging me, Hasannah?”

Which boyfriend had been the hit and pinch with no warning guy? . . .Randall. Just twice, but twice had been enough. I may have stolen his comic book collection and run it through the shredder the day I left.

And mailed him the scraps three months later as a Christmas gift, no return address.

I breathed for a few moments while I struggled with the decision not to escalate this to an actual fight. He was still upset, and men were men whether human or Fae. He was lashing out at the easy target, which happened to be the mortal woman.

“I’m not challenging you,” I said. Was he like all the others? Were his pretty gloves about to peel off? “Whatever that means. I’m saying that I’m not a toy or a pet.”

“I don’t believe we understand the word challenge in the same way, my Anah.”

I. . .didn’t like the shift in his tone. How he could sound seductive and dangerous at the same time. And make me like it, even though I knew better.

“Maybe we should return to the party,” I said, pushing at his chest. “Andrei, let me go.”

He pulled me flush against his body, his hardness. His arms tightened, and there was a feeling in how he held me, a taste shivering along our mental bond that I suddenly understood. Fear, the frustrated kind of anger aimed at a loved one placing themselves in danger, with you helpless to stop it.

I sighed, leaning against his chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to argue. I hate arguing. It’s just been a long week. I’m tired, and my feet hurt, and I think I’m actually hangry.”

A fairy circle. A cage. I shuddered. Andrei wasn’t reprimanding me for no reason. He wasn’t DeAndre, who’d wanted me to text him my daily schedule so he knew where I was going and with whom—for no logical reason other than his own narcissistic need to control.

The moment I softened, Andrei relaxed, his hands and voice gentling.

“Another Lord approached you and you didn’t come to me. My lack of response emboldened him. Either he believes you’verejected my claim and will therefore welcome another, or I’m too weak to enforce it.”

I looked up. “I’m sorry. I understand now. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

Andrei caressed my bottom lip, the look in his eyes smoldering. “There’s a partial remedy. My scent on your skin. It's faint. Too faint for one I've said is mine.”

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