Page 41 of Caged By Dance and Desire

“I don’t understand.” Liar.

He tilted his head, voice dropping several notes. “My scent should be so embedded in your skin that there's no doubt to whom you belong. My name should be branded across your body to warn of the death that awaits those who touch and tease and toy withmybonded.”

The tension in the air uncoiled, rearing up like a snake preparing to strike. The intent in his eyes unfolded, and if I didn’t deescalate fast, I’d find myself on my back with my legs around his shoulders.

“I think we should take a time out. Maybe a glass of water or a walk outside for some fresh air.”

“Don’t patronize me, little mortal. Air is not what will soothe me.”

I swallowed. “I’m not trying to patronize you, Andrei. I’m trying to help you calm down so you don’t do something I’ll regret.”

“And what,” he asked in his sweet drawl, “is it that you’ll regret?”

My heart, beating fast, tumbled end over end as the hair on my skin rose.

“I don’t need you to go back in there and pick a fight. I also don’t want you to take your bad mood out on me.”

“And if I want to take my mood out on you?” The sweetness chilled, then cracked. A warning not to toy with him, and warning he planned on toying withme. “How will you stop me, Hasannah?”

“I can’t. If that’s who you want to be, I can’t stop you. Be a monster. See what it gets you. It certainly won’t get you me, except by force.”

His hand cupped my cheek, the expression in his eyes bemused, like a lion eyeing dinner that had the temerity to protest being eaten. “You dare. I offer you everything, and you dare threaten me.”

I tensed my legs against the instinct to run. The next moment my back was against a wall, his body pressing against mine.

His breath bathed my ear. “Tell me why I shouldn't take what's mine.” His hand lashed out, cupping me between the thighs, squeezing, blatant ownership in the clench of his fingers. “Why I shouldn't spill my seed in and over you so there's never again any doubt what male has claimed you?”

“Andrei, please.” Before him, I’d never know a man who could infuse so much threat into a quiet, soothing voice. So much want. I wasn’t ready for what that voice promised to do to me.

“I am yourLord.”

Teeth fastened onto the side of my neck.

Chapter

Thirteen

ANDREIEN

Hasannah stilled on the dance floor, back arched, hands high in the air.

“By the Dark,” Constin swore. “A quarter of the Court is going to challenge you for her, including the idiots who think ballet is a cut of steak.”

My hand curled into a fist at my side.Anah, little faeling, you have omitted some very important details.

An edge, she’d hinted, and I’d stupidly allowed the evasion. I’d seen her dance, and yet made faulty assumptions, dismissed the evidence.

I’d been arrogant. Arrogance was a main cause of death in the Courts.

Seven minutes she’d danced. And for seven minutes, I’d been unable to look away. An enemy could have walked up and cut off my head and I wouldn’t have moved, caught in her pull, her command.

“We should get her out of here,” Con said, brow creasing as he watched the crowd.

“Only a fool with a death wish would touch her in my presence.” No one here would fail to recognize the significance of gold edging the Casakraine green. But I heard the doubt in my voice. There was at least one fool with a death wish present tonight.

“I've listened to your mother and sister for enough years to know your human shouldn't have been able to. . .” Constin’s eyes narrowed in thought. “If she's fully human, I'll eat our cat.”

“We don't own a cat.”

---