“The end of theyear?” My raised voice caused May to stir. I went quiet until she fell back asleep, then whispered quieter to Severn, “That’s nearly six months! No way—it’s impossible!”
A muscle jumped in his jaw. He hated to be contradicted. It drove him crazy when someone didn’t immediately leap at his command—including me.
He explained in a low voice, “My staff has been looking into the rumors about a Werewolf King rising in power in the Rockies. Even Kell is concerned. He says this isn’t typical shifter behavior at all, just as attacking Wilde Tower was not typical. Werewolves, as a rule, stay out of fae business. So whoever this Werewolf King is, he’s unpredictable. If he attacked the tower once, he’s likely to do it again. If that happens, I don’t want you and the children here.”
“I get that, but it’s all just rumors,” I whispered low enough not to wake the children. “Zara is keeping an ear out in LA, too, and she hasn’t heard any new information. I’m not going to leave my home because of rumors.”
“It’s very likely the Werewolf King was behind the men who tried to kidnap you, too.”
“You don’t know that for sure.”
He exhaled audibly in a very displeased way. “I didn’t say you have a choice, Willow.” His hands tightened possessively around my waist.
I pressed a firm hand against his chest, leaning back. “I’m not one of your subjects, Severn. You can’t command me.”
His eyes had darkened. “I know this realm. I know what is best.”
I shook my head, not liking his tone. When I tried to push off his chest to stand up, he grabbed me back around the waist, holding me in his lap. Angry, I shoved harder against his chest. “Don’t, Severn. Let me go.”
His hands still bolted me to his lap; he was so much stronger than me that there was no way I could get free unless he released me.
“I’m trying to keep the people in my life safe.” His jaw muscles firmed into a hard edge. “I’m responsible for those children’s safety. I promised their father that I wouldn’t let anything happen to them. I lost Marco because I didn’t see the danger in time…” He bit off his words, head jerking away from me as he fought to keep his emotions under control.
So this was about Marco—his friend he couldn’t save. And now he was rushing to extremes because of his irrational fears. Though I still felt tense, I relaxed slightly into his lap, understanding now that he was coming from a place of fear, not desire to control.
“I’m not Marco,” I said softly. “This isn’t the same situation. If there was verified evidence of an impending attack, it would be different. But don’t get all dramatic over a rumor.”
His hands moved lower over my hips, fingers digging into the meat of my thighs. He growled, “You might not be my subject, but youaremy girlfriend. I expect you to obey me on this.”
I reared back, throwing him a glower. “You have a seriously twisted idea of how relationships work.” I smacked his shoulder and put some force behind it. “I don’t like this conversation. We can discuss it again tomorrow. Let me go.”
He shook his head slowly. When I tried to push him again, he grabbed my wrists.
I struggled against his grip. “I said let mego!”
My words roused May, who blinked awake, yawning, giving us a sleepy-eyed look. “Willow? Is everything okay?”
Severn and I both froze. His grip on me loosened, and I took the opportunity to pull away from him and stand, brushing the wrinkles out of my pajamas, shaking slightly with anger. “Yes, May,” I said, trying to soften my voice. “Everything is fine. Do you want me to carry you up to your bed?”
She yawned and shook her head, mumbling a weak protest about wanting to keep watching TV, but then immediately fell back asleep on the sofa next to her brother.
Once she was out, I gave Severn my coldest glare. In a low voice, I hissed, “I’m not leaving New York. And if you don’t cut out this controlling shit, you can forget about the gala, too. I can always quit my job and leave—remember that.”
He looked caught between fury and genuine fear that I’d carry out my threat, which gave me a good deal of satisfaction.
“Now,go,” I said. “We’ll talk about it later.”
In truth, I had no intention of ever addressing the idea again.
Once he’d left, I carried the kids to bed and, after tucking them in, finally collapsed into a warm bath in my suite’s bathroom. But not even aromatherapy and bubble bath could erase our argument. Severn’s attitude had only reminded me of the power imbalance in our relationship. I had sworn never to let men in positions of authority take advantage of me again. If Severn didn’t get his attitude under control, it might be time to look for another job advertisement on the community board at Stardust Coffee.
ChapterTwenty-Three
The next day, I returned home from taking Henry and May grocery shopping to find dozens of sleek white boxes in my room, big enough to take up the whole bed.
May’s eyes went wide and round as she breathed, “Presents!”
Wondering who had sent me all the boxes, I tore open the closest one and pulled out a gorgeous beaded blue gown with a streak of green taffeta. The next box held a slinky red sequined dress. In the next was a black velvet number with a slit up the leg all the way to hip height. I soon realized that these must be dresses that Severn had procured for me to try on for the gala. Each one was my exact size and contained a personal note from the designer, most of whose names I recognized from top labels and fashion shows.
