“Except your mate,” I whispered, or maybe Nyxthra forced it out of me.
I felt Abram stiffen against me as we kept spinning around off beat to the music.
“El…”
“It’s fine,” I said. “Maybe I’ll find my mate too.” The words slipped out, and Abram pulled me back so he could look at me. His green eyes looked confused, but I hadn't said anything that wasn’t true.
“I’m going to find a drink.” I pulled away and left Abram standing in the street.
My chest felt too tight. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. But the truth of the matter was that his mate was looming over us. No matter what happened between us, it would never compare to her. He’d choose her simply because she existed.
You should leave him before he leaves you.Nyxthra commanded.You are too attached to him.
And the thought hurt way more than it should. I paused as fear trickled through me. Why did I feel devastated about it? Feelings that I did not want to acknowledge came bubbling up. I was determined not to feel them. My gaze moved toward a vendor up the street selling alcohol. Perfect.
This part of the festival was clearly different from where Abram and I had been. It was full of alcohol, no children, and the music that played was not dancing music.
I hurried over to the vendor and bought the largest cup available. My body stiffened when I felt Abram behind me, watching. I chugged the alcohol to chase away the truth of what was happening with me.I am not in love with Abram.The more the thought persisted the more I chugged.
Yes, you are,Nyxthra purred.
That’s why you started pestering me,I sneered.
I could've warned you but you kept me in the fucking dark.She snapped.You could've at least fallen in love with someone you had a chance with, like Nate.
“Can I buy you another?” The man from earlier in the street was next to me.
I hardly glanced at him as I drank. His dark eyes stared at me, but I ignored him. Abram was watching, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how I was going to deny what my heart already knew.
“She isn’t interested.” Abram’s voice came from closer behind me. “So get lost, and quit looking at my wife like that.”
Wife. Gods, he just told someone I was his wife. His hand reached around me and grabbed my half-drunk beer. Abram pulled the cup from me and drank the rest of it himself. The man looked at me then to Abram and walked away. I turned as Abram wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Is there a reason you look worried, weaver?” he asked.
But my heart tripped over itself when I looked up at him. The temperature had dropped significantly, making it so our breath was showing in the air. Snow fell slowly around us as Abram watched me.
“No, I just wanted a drink,” I lied.
Abram stepped forward until I felt the heat of him against the cold night. Suddenly, his mouth found mine, urgent and consuming, like he’d been waiting centuries. His tongue slid against mine as his hand tangled in my hair. My knees buckled, but his arm tightened around my waist, holding me up.
I tried to pull back, but Abram caught me by the back of the neck and kissed me deeper. I hummed against his mouth, fingers sliding from his chest up his throat and into his hair. Abram groaned low as I tugged him closer.
When he finally pulled back, his chest was heaving. His eyes glowed faintly red, wild and hungry.
“I think I’ve done a terrible job showing my wife how much she consumes me.” He cocked his head to the side, but I froze at the predator he had become. “Should I show you just how much I want to worship you, Elowyn Ashgrave?”
I glanced around at the crowd wondering why no one was reacting to his words. When my gaze moved back to him, he was smiling wickedly.
“Should we go home?” I asked, but his smile widened.
“Oh no, I think here is fine.”
My heart throbbed in my throat. Gods, Abram wanted an audience, and the thought did not scare me. He chuckled softly.
“My wife likes this more than I do.” He stepped closer. “You don't care if I let all of them watch us, but I do. No one gets to see you like this but me.” Another step forward.
I looked around. No one was reacting. No one even looked our way.
