“I thought you might enjoy a gathering like this,” I told her. She said nothing. “When others leave, so can you. It would look strange if you disappeared early.”
“I don’t think anyone would mind,” she answered, “but I’ll do what you say.”
I couldn’t stand the hollowness in her voice. “Erina,” I said quietly, stepping close so others wouldn’t overhear.
Her scent grew almost overwhelming, and I realized…
A lashing of anger whipped through me.
“Are you wearing that perfume?”
The one from herlover. Luc. Something lodged into place in my chest, a boulder that made it difficult to breathe.
“I thought I told you not to wear it again.”
“It’s just a little tonight,” she answered, frowning. “I made sure I didn’t put on too much.”
The scent made my stomach roil because I knew what itmeant. I knew who she’d been thinking of as she’d dabbed it on, and I couldn’tstandit.
Erina didn’t know how muchIknew. She might think me a fool. She might think she could flaunt her lover’s gift right in front of me. Did she find it humorous? Her own small joke?
It was on the tip of my tongue to order her to wash it off. I wouldn’t be able to stand the merest whiff of it.
Then I realized it didn’t matter. The purpose of this event was to have Erina here but to show my indifference. If I had her wash her skin off—if it made me crazed to want to stake my possessive claim on her in a jealous rage—it would turn my plan on its head.
“Very well,” I grated. “Like I said, you can leave when others do. Until then, I expect you to be in attendance.”
Maudoric was still lingering on the stairs behind her. I met her gaze, her expression impassive.
“Enjoy your evening,” I told Erina.
“You won’t—you won’t be with me?” she asked suddenly, confusion lacing her tone.
“No,” I added. “You’re not my wife. You’re my blood giver. I trust you can understand the difference.”
I walked away, anger and seething jealousy still burning in my chest. I felt out of control. Nothing was normal anymore. I didn’t recognize who I’d become. To lose my mind over afemale? To want to rip her lover to shreds in a berserker rage so she would have no choice but to remain at my side?
It was insanity. I loathed her for it.
When I passed Lydrasa on my way into the ballroom, she smirked, her eyes straying from Erina. “What a cute little thing. Isn’t she that keeper who walked in on us fucking?”
The son of House Braan cleared his throat, his wings giving a small twitch.
Lydrasa smiled. “Yes, I think it is.”
“I’ll find you later,” I told her, my growl a promise.
Her eyes were delighted. “I’ll look forward to it,Kyzaire.”
CHAPTER 22
ERINA
“Don’t look like you’re walking to your death, Erina,” Maudoric ordered, lapsing back into her role of Head Keeper. “You’ll give them all something to talk about.”
Good,I thought. I didn’t have it in me to care anymore.
“This is important to theKyzaire,” she said, turning to me and gently grabbing my arm. “To introduce to you into Vyaan society. Blood givers are still important members within a noble House. He’s giving you this respect.”
