I give him another kick.
“I can’t believe you stabbed him.” Seniia purses her lips. “He’s gorgeous.Allof the seven are. Makes a regular Rean almost bland.”
What that leaves the humans to look like, I don’t know. And it sure doesn’t make me feel any more attractive.
“Maybe he’ll pin me to the ground next,” she muses.
My lips pull back in a very nonhuman way.Mine.Just the idea of someone else’s touch on him fills me with a sickening, possessive rage, and I have to grip the table to keep from throwing myself at her. Seniia is so stunning that anyone would want her. Surely Aster would prefer pinning her to the ground over me. I give myself amental slap.
What’s wrong with you, Laïna? Are you pining after gods now?Seriously.I glance at her. She’s almost as beautiful as Nana.And that’s perfect since you don’t want him anywhere near you, remember?
Seniia’s eyes grow wide. “You fancy him?”
“I don’tfancyhim,” I say, but I can’t help the blush creeping into my cheeks.
“Oh, you most certainly do.” She cocks her head. “I don’t blame you. I’d be all over him if not for the fact that everyone knows his heart still belongs to his mate. Dead or not.”
“Seniia!” Vilder snaps.
I have to control myself to not lean over and strangle her. And was that a snarl coming out of my mouth?
“Whoa,” Vilder says to my right.
Seniia’s eyes are wide. “You don’t just fancy him...”
“Change of topic,” Vilder declares. He empties his mug. “Anyone want another round of beer?”
A double shot of something ridiculously strong is what I need, but I manage a nod.
“Seniia?”
She sticks her tongue out at him but otherwise doesn’t complain, her chair scraping against the floor as she leaves our table.
Vilder turns toward me, concern in his eyes. “Do you know the story?”
Do I know the story? I’ve witnessed it firsthand in my dreams, but I don’t tell him that.
“Some,” I say vaguely. “And don’t worry, I’m aware of my stature,” I add, trying to avoid his scrutiny. “I’m mortal. He’s a god. Lesser god, whatever.”
“Didn’t stop him from being with Nana,” he says.
“That was different. She was Rean.” I look away and, just on pure reflex, manage to grab the roll he tosses toward my head. “What was that for?”
Vilder just shrugs, his expression thoughtful. “What happened today, Laïna? It clearly was not the first time you met.”
The shadowshard’s cool, calming surface is soothing below my thumb as I run it up and down its shaft. “You cannot know that.”
“I’m not blind. I was there.” He leans in, making eye contact unavoidable. “That level of tension implies a significant history.”
“We met in Bowen,” I say. “And again at your initiation ceremony.” And basically every night outside of that.
“It washimyou met at Sa’mahta?”
I nod.
“And do the two of you always want to devour each other when you meet?” Arching an eyebrow, he leans back in his chair.
“Vilder!” I shoot him my most intimidating stare, daring him to utter another word. A glance over my shoulder tells me Seniia is still in line for beers.
