Page 29 of To Ashes and Dust
“It’d probably be better if I didn’t.”
I frowned, brows furrowing as I looked at him. “Why?”
“A newly bonded male can sometimes be... territorial. It doesn’t help that his new mate serviced me for many years. It’s been months since I’ve fed from her, but he probably smells remnants of her in me.” He glanced at them, watching their happy conversation from a far, and I couldn’t miss Zephyr watching him from the corner of his eye as Thalia and Calista spoke. “I’d rather not have to fight my brother tonight.”
Serviced. That word made my stomach twist. I took a deep breath and lifted the glass to knock back the last gulp, cringing at the horrible taste before setting it back down and swiveling on the chair. I didn’t look forward to this.
“I guess I’m on my own then.”
11
CASSIE
“Hey, Zeph.”
He looked up at me, a smile lighting up those pale green eyes. Calista and Thalia glanced up as well, but Calista’s gaze fell before it could meet mine.
“Hey, come join us,” Zephyr said, nodding to the couch where Thalia sat.
I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to accept his invitation, if I even wanted to approach Calista. I shoved down the terrible thoughts and took a seat next to Thalia, who was kicked back with a fresh glass of whatever it was she was drinking.
Calista’s eyes burned into her lap as she fidgeted with her fingernails. I could feel her fear, her anxiety, her guilt in the air, the sensation skittering over my skin—balmy and icy. Even if I’d lacked the ability to sense it, it would have been obvious. Not that I blamed her; I still remembered the feel of my fingers ensnared in her hair, how she felt under me when I’d pinned her to our couch, my dagger pressed to her throat.
I’d almost given into whatever instinct had overwhelmed me after I saw those images in her mind, almost gave into that very instinct that drove my past lives to nearly take over my body. They’d spoken an ancient language, warning the female of the line she’d crossed. If I’d given in... she wouldn’t be sitting here at Zephyr’s side.
I’d have slit her throat.
Guilt sank into my stomach, bile rising in the back of my throat. I was still disgusted with myself for reacting that way. Damien had explained it was part of the mating bond; once bonded, immortals were protective over their mate.
It hadn’t made me feel any better; it still didn’t.
Zephyr tilted his head to her, taking her hand in his in quiet reassurance. She met his gaze before finally summoning enough courage to look at me.
“I owe you an apology,” she said, her words shaky and uneven as she struggled to hold my gaze.
I remained silent, and Thalia looked between us, a look of confusion on her face.
“Thalia,” Barrett called from the bar, “come here.”
She didn’t question him, happily accepting the chance to escape what was building into a very awkward confrontation.
“I’m sorry for the way I acted. I never should’ve done that to you,” she managed to say.
I took a deep breath, unsure how to respond, but she didn’t give me a chance to. “I never meant to offend you. I wasn’t prepared for you to be there, didn’t realize what you were to him. When I saw a human with him, it didn’t make sense, but I was not there to question. I was there to serve.”
Zephyr bristled but held it at bay, his jaw tightening, and I frowned. Had she not been told? My eyes shifted to Zephyr, his eyes locked on Calista, his thumb brushing back and forth across her hand. Such adoration shined in those eyes, as intense a gaze as I’d caught Damien giving me when he thought I wasn’t paying attention.
“I should be the one apologizing,” I said, and surprise flashed across both their faces. “You’re the reason Damien was able to receive what he needed all this time.”
Zephyr gripped Calista’s hand, his eyes darkening, and I halted. I probably should stay away from that topic, but she needed to understand that I did appreciate her... servicing him all this time in my absence. “I should be thanking you.”
Her eyes lowered. “You honor me, mate of my lord.”
“Please...” I groaned. God, the formalities. “Just call me, Cas. Who withheld the information from you? That I was with him.”
Her gaze fell, and I felt her fear, felt this overwhelming dread creep over her. I wouldn’t read her thoughts, though. I refused to. The first time had been an accident, and I’d invaded her privacy enough.
Zephyr answered for her. “Her father, Tobias.”
