“And you suspect that he knows of your relationship with Oleg?”
“Suspect? Yes. But I’m not certain of anything,” Tatyana admitted. “Especially not if it exists in the mind of another.”
Not even her husband. Though her mother’s words had lifted the cloud of worry that had been hovering over her and pricking her irritation, Tatyana still doubted her mate.
Oleg did not lie to her. Well, he did not lie to her any more than he lied to himself. But there was much he didn’t tell her.
In fairness, there was much she didn’t tell him.
“Will Lord Oleg be visiting you here before we return to the city tomorrow night?”
“I have no idea.” She’d turned her phone on before daylight the night before and found multiple messages from him, but when she called, it was to hear the message that his phone was turned off.
So they were playing that game now.
“If he does, simply let me know and I will make sure the men remain at a further distance,” Sándor said. “You should not be confined to your quarters when he visits.”
“That is thoughtful. Thank you.”
“Yes, thank you, Sándor.”
The voice from the trees was quiet, but the moment Oleg spoke, a flood of awareness entered Tatyana’s body as he released the amnis he must have been holding in strict control.
Sándor was already in the air, hovering in front of Tatyana, blocking Oleg from her view. In his hand, he held a silver short sword with a wicked curve.
Her chief Hazar leaned his head to the side and murmured into a small communication device affixed to his shoulder, but his eyes never left Oleg’s.
“A clever trick, Lord Oleg,” Sándor said quietly. “You kept your amnis well hidden.”
“I couldn’t even feel you,” Tatyana said.
She didn’t mind that Sándor had his sword drawn. She kind of enjoyed it even though Oleg’s face showed not a hint of fear. He was keeping his fire leashed. For now.
“A millennium of practice.” Her mate walked into the clearing, and the planes of his face glowed silver blue in the moonlight. “There is a gap in the perimeter.”
“Only because I am with her.”
Tatyana wanted to run to him. She felt the infuriating urge to slap him and his arrogant face. She also wanted to kiss him and bite his neck.
And apparently her energy wasn’t as well-disguised as Oleg’s, because Sándor cleared his throat and floated back to the ground. “Terrin?”
“He’s fine, Sándor.”
“I will leave you.” He glanced at Oleg. “And expand the perimeter.”
“No need to worry.” The corner of Oleg’s mouth turned up as he stared at her. “No one will touch your mistress when I am here. Save me, of course.”
Sándor turned to Tatyana. “Terrin?”
“Oleg, don’t be an ass,” Tatyana said. “Sándor, I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Yes, surati.” Sándor bowed and took to the sky, disappearing into the shadowed night.
Oleg lifted his chin and stared down his nose. “Hello, wife. Did you hear the news that I am getting married?”
“I cannot believeyou think this is funny.” Tatyana had her arms crossed over her chest and had so far resisted the urge to tackle her husband.
“I don’t think it’s funny. Amusing, perhaps?”
