Nonchalantly and with the ease of Selene’s asking I almost blurted out Katrina’s name.
“That’s not important, is it, not now,” I replied.
Her eyes narrowed, only slightly, hardly at all, but I saw it.
“Let’s go to dinner, Pet,” she replied and held her arm out for me.
The dining room walls of Ardens Estate were panelled with dark wood. The dark wooden floor shone under the orange glow of the hanging chandeliers, and the table was not very long—it looked to only be able to seat maybe ten people comfortably. In the centre of the table were candles on brass sticks. While the room was dark, the yellow and orange glows of the lighting made it feel welcoming.
A large fireplace was lit on the far wall. Red and yellow flames danced behind Adamantia’s tall, lean frame as she stood with another woman. The other woman was tall, but not quite as so as Adamantia. She had a fuller figure and a bright, happy smile that she turned towards us as we entered.
“Selene, you’ve grown at least a head taller since we last saw you,” the new woman, who I assumed must have been Sasha, Adamantia’s wife, said.
Selene smiled warmly, “This is Sasha, my other aunt,” Selene introduced me as we walked towards the women and the fireplace.
“Sasha, this is my pet, Percy. She and Ada met earlier today.”
“Oh, I am aware. Percy made quite the impression,” Sasha said, as she held out her hand for me. I took her hand and was surprised when she raised it and kissed my knuckles. “What a pleasure to meet you,” she said, as she released my hand.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Ma’am,” I replied.
“’Ma’am’?” Adamantia said. “I received no such pleasantries when we met.”
“You weren’t very pleasant,” I replied, and glanced quickly to Selene, who did her best not to smile, but her hand on my elbow squeezed in amusement. Sasha laughed loudly.
“Yes, quite the impression. My wife can be less than charming when she tires,” Sasha said.
“I had to know what the girl was made of. This is the first suitor my dearest niece has brought home,” Adamantia defended.
“I am your only niece,” Selene reminded her.
“All the more reason to be careful. Perhaps this flower witch has you under a potion?” Adamantia said and flinched when Sasha slapped her shoulder.
“Ignore her,” Sasha told me.
“How do you propose I am being dosed with this elusive love potion?” Selene asked easily, and I could tell she was undisturbed by Adamantia’s suggestion.
“Through her blood, how else?” Adamantia suggested.
“My pet’s blood is so very potent,” Selene replied and ran her fingers along my throat.
I swallowed and suppressed the shiver that threatened to run along my spine as she grazed over her most recent bite marks—almost healed—but the spot was Selene’s favourite, and after repeated bites, the skin had become achingly sensitive. The caressing of my neck, of where her teeth so often chose to pierce, was practically a public sexual act.
“You tease,” Adamantia protested. “Me and your pet.”
Her nostrils flared as she scented the air. Oh no. could she smell my reaction? Did she know my skin felt like it was on fireas Selene continued to dance her fingertips lightly across her mark?
“Smells delicious.”
“That’s enough,” Sasha said. “Both of you.”
Selene’s hand dropped away and both she and Adamantia laughed.
“Are you jealous, love?” Adamantia asked.
“I am well aware of the possessive streak that afflicts the women of Ardens. I am not jealous.”
“As you have no need to be, for all I desire I find within you,” Adamantia replied. “My witch of stone and hearth.”
