Page 44 of Caged By Dance and Desire

So I would not react, but I would respond. Soon.

Dartanyon smiled. “I see she hasn't. You haven't watched that supple body writhe, the pleasure suffuse her face, heard the cadence of her breaths as she brings herself to completion?—”

Never mind.

I lifted Dartanyon and threw him.

He landed lightly on his feet, his lips pulled back in a snarl as he abandoned his playacting.

I stepped forward, smiling at the pleasure awaiting me. It had been some time since I’d taken a life that so richly deserved to be ended.

“No!”

Her voice didn’t break through at first, but the touch of those fingers on my wrist did.

“No, Andrei. Not now, and not here. That's not what tonight is for.”

I stilled, taking a cleansing breath, trying to clear the bloodlust from my vision. To recall that tonight was important to her.

Her hands settled on my chest, the fingers fluttering in a nervous attempt to soothe me. My rage softened. She filled my arms, my vision, and I stared into her eyes, clinging to the anchor she provided. Traveling back from the brink.

“Please, my Lord. I beg this favor.”

Clever cygnet. I kissed her cheek, wanting more, needing more, but settling as always for the crumbs she allowed me. “Very well, consort. I will grant you this, for now.”

“Thank you. Can we—can you take me somewhere quiet for a moment? I’m a little. . .”

Her mouth thinned, a particular kind of feminine hurt in her eyes and I ground my teeth. But her discomfort was more important than my need to kill.

I wrapped her in my arms, shielding her from view as best I could and took her out of the ballroom, finding a small sitting room where we wouldn’t be disturbed. I opened the curtains togive her some light then pulled her back into my arms, calming as she settled her head on my chest.

“I'm sorry,” she whispered.

I forced my voice to remain mild. She had no reason for shame. “What for?”

Anah looked up at me with those wide, hurt eyes. Again. I would get on my knees to take that expression away from her, but she had no idea. None. Fortunate for me.

“You know I would never—you know I never.” She faltered. “What he said sounded bad, but?—”

These flashes of innocence were almost endearing. “Hasannah.” She flinched.Leash it, warrior. Leash yourself.“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.”

But Fae lies were of a necessity always based in truth, and Mathen had missed something. My mood darkened. Mathen and I were going to have an earnest discussion.

“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.”

My calm unraveled.

“You should have mentioned it to me.” This was inconceivable. A Lord had approached her, and she’d said nothing? Nothing! “Whenever you're approached by another, no matter how outwardly innocent, you tell me.” I grabbed her chin. I wanted to wring her neck, but that wouldn’t be productive. “Do you understand?”

She nodded, mouth turning down.

It didn’t take our fledgling bond to read the expression. “I’m not being cruel. You don’t know Lord Dartanyon.” I emphasized his title, so she’d understand. She feared Lords of the Courts, and in this circumstance that would work in our favor. “He is not sane.”

Anah looked up at me through her lashes. “Can any of you make that claim?”

There she went, her delicate, flaying tongue again.

I bared my 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?”

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