Page 3 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

“She just meant that Theron must be quite involved in a lot of activities, no?” my mother says in an attempt to cover for my blunder.

Theron’s eyes flash at me.

“Why don’t we give them some time to talk during the recess,” she continues. “They must be excited to get to know each other.”

“It’s not proper, Mother?—”

“There are so many people around.” She waves her hand to the rest of the audience mingling around for the break. “It is quite proper, I assure you.”

Olivia agrees, and they all but shoo us to a more discreet corner so we canget to know each other.

We’re still within their sight, but now there’s no one to save me from having to make small talk with him.

Great.

Just what I needed on an already abysmal day.

Theron studies me, his lips curled with disdain.

“That mouth of yours will get you in trouble,” he comments in a bored tone.

I shrug.

“At least I keep my mouthoutof other people’s arses. Who knows how many you had to kiss to get thosedistinctions,” I grumble.

He reddens with anger. His hands are balled into fists by his sides, and he makes to grab me. But realizing how many people are around, he thinks better of it and stops himself before doing somethingscandalous.

“You will learn how to behave after our nuptials, Minerva. If I have to muzzle you, don’t think for a moment that I will not.”

“What?”

“I don’t like you. In fact, I actively dislike you. But Mother has decided your family name is good for us, so we will marry. But do not for one moment think that I will let you behave thusly after we are mated.”

“Really?” I ask drily. “And how will you have me behave?”

His lips press together in annoyance.

“As if you did not exist,” he replies through gritted teeth.

Oh, my! That’s quite the auspicious beginning to my marriage.

I smile sweetly and bat my lashes at him. While he’s distracted—or better said disgusted—by my charms, I gather some of the moisture in the air and fashion it into a block of ice.

I should make a spear and stab him through the heart. Unfortunately, that will only get me in trouble, not only with my family but with the law as well. Alas, I must resign myself to something…smaller.

While he’s scowling at me, I carefully manipulate the ice and send it flying toward his crotch, imbuing it with a little chant so it melts on impact.

The moisture splashes across the front of his uniform pants.

He stumbles back, his eyes alarmed, and as he takes in the big wet spot on his light uniform, I can barely hold onto my laughter. He stares at the wetness for a moment, almost as if he’s too flabbergasted to react.

“I hope they give you a participation prize for that, too,” I say with a wink.

His mouth opens and closes, his eyes now a stormy black as he slowly looks at me.

Energy swirls around him, threateningly so.

Oops. Or maybe make that double oops.

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