Page 239 of Primal Bonds

Another round of knowing looks was exchanged. Marjani set her jaw, the small pleasure she’d taken in the dress evaporating.

The blonde’s mouth curved. She smoothed a hand down her own outfit, a slinky gold number with cutout shoulders. “I knew it. I absolutely adored her spring collection.”

“I prefer Adèle myself,” a silver-haired woman interjected.

“Adèle?” The blonde waved her hand dismissively. “She’s so last year.” She glanced at Marjani. “Don’t you agree?”

She shrugged. “Never heard of her.”

The silver-haired fae’s look was pitying. “She’s a fada, you know. The animals don’t bother with fashion like us frivolous fae.”

Both women laughed.

Marjani flashed on Corban’s wasted body, and Luc, forced to accept the geas of one of these snobby females. She raised her chin and showed her teeth in a grin that had both women stepping back.

“No. I have better things to do.”

“Of course,” the blonde said hurriedly. With a muttered excuse, she and her friend slunk off to join another group.

“My sweet,” Sindre said in her ear, “I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t terrorize the other guests.”

She gave him the same toothy smile. “It’s your fault for inviting an animal to dinner.”

The corner of his mouth quirked up. “We’d better keep you fed, then. Here, try the caviar.” He heaped a spoonful of shiny black eggs on a small round of bread and handed it to her.

She took a cautious bite. The briny flavor was unexpectedly good. “Not bad,” she allowed. “Tastes kind of like the sea.”

“Have another then.”

The man was definitely going all out for her. If she didn’t know he was a cold, scheming SOB, she might have even fallen for it. But she was hungry and she could travel a long way on a full belly, so she let him ply her with appetizers.

Fane had extricated himself from the redhead to chat with his father, but she sensed his growing tension—and hurt. It made her own shoulders tighten.

She sent him a pleading look and he shuttered his eyes. She let out a small sigh of relief until she realized the two of them were practically reading each other’s minds. And they were definitely sensing each other’s emotions…like mates did.

No. She deliberately gave him her back.

He didn’t like that. She felt his disbelief and agitation.

This is so not good.

Lord Roald joined Arne and Fane and they started a low-voiced conversation that no one but a fada could’ve picked up. She sipped her nectar and unashamedly eavesdropped as Sindre greeted another guest.

“I’ve been in talks with Lord Hamar,” Roald told Fane. “His daughter is interested in taking you as her consort.”

Marjani’s stomach constricted. From the corner of her eye, she saw Fane glance at the redhead in the black dress.

“Lady Viktorie?”

“That’s the one. A lovely woman, and strong. She’ll give you healthy children.”

Claws pricked at Marjani’s fingertips. Like hell.

“But what about the mate bond?” asked Arne.

Roald waved his hand. “Children will come as long as neither of them is bonded elsewhere. Fane has proven himself in that regard. There are no guarantees, but it’s likely.”

“It’s likely,” Fane repeated flatly. “And I’d be her consort, not her mate.”

---